ADVFN — Supporting a growing retail investor group

ADVFN — Supporting a growing retail investor group

ADVFN is a web-based provider of equity, crypto and other financial market data for private investors and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since March 2000. Its strong share price performance in 2021 (up 300% ytd) reflects it being well positioned to benefit from increased market volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly growing market interest in cryptocurrencies. In 2020, ADVFN streamlined its costs and switched permanently to a remote-working model. Management plans to build on this momentum through an enhanced product offering, including increased coverage of crypto assets. ADVFN returned to profit in FY21 and initiated a dividend payment programme.

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Written by

Michal Mierzwiak

Analyst

ADVFN

Supporting a growing retail investor group

General financials

QuickView

11 November 2021

Price

76.0p

Market cap

£20m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

AFN

Listing

AIM

Shares in issue

26.1m

Business description

ADVFN is an information website and mobile app for private investors, providing broad market data and financial tools for over 20 years already. It has c 36m users worldwide (5.1m registered) and over 840m visits per year. It has been structured entirely as a remote working organisation since 2020, which supports cost optimisation and helped mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bull

Easily scalable business model.

Low concentration of customer base.

Strong equity position with a net cash position of £1.9m and equity ratio of 59% at endJune 2021.

Bear

Sensitivity of advertising revenue to the economic cycle.

Vulnerability of investors’ engagement.

Competing against free data providers.

Analyst

Michal Mierzwiak

+44 (0) 20 3077 5700

ADVFN is a web-based provider of equity, crypto and other financial market data for private investors and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since March 2000. Its strong share price performance in 2021 (up 300% ytd) reflects it being well positioned to benefit from increased market volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly growing market interest in cryptocurrencies. In 2020, ADVFN streamlined its costs and switched permanently to a remote-working model. Management plans to build on this momentum through an enhanced product offering, including increased coverage of crypto assets. ADVFN returned to profit in FY21 and initiated a dividend payment programme.

Favourable environment helps building volume

ADVFN’s business has recently benefitted from increased price volatility and investor activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, including growing interest in crypto assets. It seems a new, younger generation has entered the market, doubling the number of retail investors in Europe between the beginning of 2020 and mid-2021, according to Reuters (Euronext data). ADVFN’s web-based service and increasing focus on coverage of cryptocurrencies appeals to this significant group of potential clients. The number of registered users expanded to 5.1m at end-June 2021 (from 4.8m a year earlier), slightly exceeding the 5.0m targeted by the management.

Increased sales drive return to profitability

In FY21 (to 30 June), ADVFN reported a £1.6m net profit versus a £0.2m loss in FY20. Revenue increased by over 28% y-o-y to £9.1m, driven by subscription and advertising income. Meanwhile administrative expenses remained compressed at £7.1m (vs £8.8m in FY19 and £7.1 in FY20), due to termination of the headquarters lease agreement (last paid in March 2020) among other cost-saving measures. Although the average headcount in FY21 fell to 38 from 52, personnel costs expanded by c 15%.

Valuation: 2.0% dividend yield on new policy

Expressing confidence in its prospects, management introduced a dividend policy in August 2021 that assumes payments on a semi-annual basis. To smooth the effect of potential earnings fluctuations, ADVFN adopted a cautious approach assuming a dividend cover ratio of not less than 2x net profit attributable to shareholders on a rolling three-year basis. The maiden distribution for the whole FY21 of 1.5p per share (ex-dividend date: 23 December) translates into a moderate 2.0% dividend yield after the robust share price rally of recent months.

Historical financials

Year
end

Revenue
(£m)

PBT
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

06/18

9.2

0.4

1.53

0.00

49.7

0.0

06/19

8.7

(0.4)

(1.60)

0.00

N/A

0.0

06/20

7.1

(0.3)

(0.88)

0.00

N/A

0.0

06/21

9.1

1.6

5.97

1.50

12.7

2.0

Source: ADVFN accounts. Note: *Diluted.

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60325 Frankfurt

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United Kingdom

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This report has been prepared and issued by Edison. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2021 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

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Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

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The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

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This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

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Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Research: Industrials

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