Last close As at 05/08/2026
GBP0.44
▲ 0.60 (1.37%)
Market capitalisation
GBP89m
Research: Financials
Record’s final quarter saw continued net inflows and positive market moves allowing assets under management equivalent (AUME) to exceed over $80bn, an increase of 37% for the year. Positively, the diversity of revenue has also increased and there is potential for this trend to continue as new products are launched, including a new EM Sustainable Finance fund in Q122. Work continues on introducing technology to facilitate new products and enhance scalability.
Written by
Record |
Strong final quarter takes AUME above $80bn |
Q421 trading update |
Financial services |
26 April 2021 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analysts
Record is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Record’s final quarter saw continued net inflows and positive market moves allowing assets under management equivalent (AUME) to exceed over $80bn, an increase of 37% for the year. Positively, the diversity of revenue has also increased and there is potential for this trend to continue as new products are launched, including a new EM Sustainable Finance fund in Q122. Work continues on introducing technology to facilitate new products and enhance scalability.
Year end |
Revenue (£m) |
PBT |
EPS* |
DPS** |
P/E |
Yield |
03/19 |
25.0 |
8.0 |
3.25 |
2.30 |
25.9 |
2.7 |
03/20 |
25.6 |
7.7 |
3.26 |
2.30 |
25.8 |
2.7 |
03/21e |
25.7 |
6.3 |
2.62 |
2.30 |
32.1 |
2.7 |
03/22e |
30.7 |
10.5 |
4.35 |
2.30 |
19.3 |
2.7 |
Note: *EPS is diluted. **DPS excludes special dividends.
Q421 trading update
At end March Record’s AUME stood at $80.1bn, an increase of 7% during Q421 (or £58.1bn, +6%). For FY21 as a whole (to end March), the increase was 37% or 23% in dollar or sterling terms respectively. Within the FY21 increase net flows contributed 17% growth, market moves in underlying assets 14% and FX/scaling moves 6%. Another indicator of progress is the increase in client count with 10 added in the final quarter and 17 for the full year giving a total of 89 (the additions included new funds from existing clients and new clients). During the quarter there was progress on succession plans with Dmitri Tikhonov assuming the role of chief investment officer, succeeding Bob Noyen who stepped down from the board earlier in the year; Tikhonov has been with Record for over 18 years.
Seeking diversification and fee margin enhancement
Over the year faster growth in higher-margin dynamic hedging, currency for return and multi-product categories compared with passive hedging has resulted in greater diversity of prospective revenues. On this front the EM Sustainable Finance fund (anticipated AUME of $0.2bn–0.5bn), developed in collaboration with a major Swiss asset manager, should be launched in the current quarter, Q122. The fund is expected to pay a management fee in line with similar actively managed funds, substantially higher than the average fee margin of under 5bp earned by Record in FY20. Further new product offerings are under consideration, potentially continuing a reduction in dependence on passive hedging mandates where fee pressure is likely to remain a feature. There has also been some pruning of products with the closure of the dynamic macro currency and global macro strategies as the prospects for client demand were seen as limited.
Valuation
There are only minor changes in our estimates (see Exhibit 2). The shares trade on P/E and EV/EBITDA ratios above an asset management peer group (Exhibit 3) but our estimates do not assume further net inflows or crystallisation of performance fees.
Changes in AUME and investment performance
Exhibit 1 shows the progression in AUME since the end of FY20 with net flows, market and other changes by quarter and for FY20 and FY21.
Looking at fourth-quarter net flows, there was a further increase of $1.4bn in dynamic hedging mainly arising from the large dynamic hedging mandate announced in September 2020 (a balance of c $1.3bn is possible in subsequent quarters, depending on market movements). In addition, there was a $3.7bn inflow in passive hedging and a small outflow from the multi-product category. For the full year the most important movement in net flows was the $6.6bn net increase in dynamic hedging.
Markets, foreign exchange movements and scaling for mandates with a volatility target saw a modest net positive move in the fourth quarter but for the year as a whole, market movements added $8.4bn and FX and scaling adjustments a further £3.4bn.
Exhibit 1: AUME progression Q421 and FY21
$bn |
AUME |
Net flows and other moves |
|||||||||
Year end March |
Q420 |
Q321 |
Q421 |
Q121 |
Q221 |
Q321 |
Q421 |
FY20 |
FY21 |
||
Dynamic hedging |
2.5 |
8.0 |
9.3 |
0.1 |
0.4 |
4.7 |
1.4 |
0.2 |
6.6 |
||
Passive hedging |
50.3 |
57.9 |
61.5 |
(0.6) |
(0.2) |
(0.8) |
3.7 |
4.1 |
2.1 |
||
Currency for return |
2.6 |
3.6 |
3.9 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.3 |
0.0 |
||
Multi-product |
3.0 |
4.9 |
5.2 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
1.2 |
(0.2) |
0.0 |
1.0 |
||
Cash and futures |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Total |
58.6 |
74.6 |
80.1 |
(0.5) |
0.2 |
5.1 |
4.9 |
4.6 |
9.7 |
||
Markets |
3.6 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
3.1 |
(3.2) |
8.4 |
|||||
FX and scaling for mandate volatility targeting |
1.6 |
1.9 |
2.4 |
(2.5) |
(0.1) |
3.4 |
|||||
Total change |
4.7 |
2.6 |
8.7 |
5.5 |
1.3 |
21.5 |
|||||
Source: Record
Performance in the currency for return strategies saw a positive quarter for the Multi-Strategy composite with a target volatility of 4%; the return was 1.12% and its annualised performance since inception (31 July 2012) was 0.86%. We estimate that currency for return mandates account for c 8% of revenues. On the enhanced passive hedging mandates, there was also a positive return of 0.4bp as a result of tenor management (not immaterial in relation to the average passive hedging fee rate of 2.9bp for H121).
Changes to estimates
Headline numbers from our revised estimates are shown in Exhibit 2. The changes are minor with modest revenue increases partly offset by slightly higher cost assumptions to allow for technology spending. We have added the Q4 performance fee of £0.1m but our estimates do not include any assumed performance fees so if any are crystallised in FY22 they would represent upside from our estimate.
Exhibit 2: Estimate changes
|
Revenue (£m) |
PBT (£m) |
EPS (p) |
DPS (p)* |
||||||||
|
Old |
New |
Change |
Old |
New |
Change |
Old |
New |
Change |
Old |
New |
Change |
03/21e |
25.5 |
25.7 |
1% |
6.3 |
6.3 |
0% |
2.61 |
2.62 |
0% |
2.30 |
2.30 |
0% |
03/22e |
30.1 |
30.7 |
2% |
10.4 |
10.5 |
1% |
4.29 |
4.35 |
1% |
2.30 |
2.30 |
0% |
Source: Edison Investment Research. Note: *Dividend excludes any special payment.
Valuation
An updated version of our comparative valuation table, which puts Record in the context of a group of UK asset managers, is shown in Exhibit 3. Record is differentiated by its role as a specialist currency and derivatives manager, but its fees are primarily based on the size of AUME so, like the asset managers, it is exposed to movements in underlying equity and fixed-income markets and flows.
Our table shows calendarised figures for 2021 and 2022 P/Es, 2021 EV/EBITDA and historical yields. Following marked strength in the share price over three months (up nearly 60%), Record shares trade above the average P/E and EV/EBITDA multiples but are not the most highly rated on either measure. Our estimates do not assume any uncrystallised performance fees or prospective net inflows beyond the mandates already announced. The dividend yield of 2.7% is below the peer average but, consistent with the dividend policy, there is the potential for this to be enhanced with a special dividend in due course and, on our estimate, the FY22 yield would be 3.6%. The board’s dividend policy is that the dividend should be at least covered by earnings, after allowing for anticipated increases in costs and regulatory capital requirements.
Exhibit 3: Comparing valuation with UK fund managers
Price (p) |
Market cap (£m) |
P/E 2021e (x) |
P/E 2022e (x) |
EV/EBITDA 2021e (x) |
Dividend yield (%) |
|
Ashmore |
391 |
2,779 |
14.8 |
15.0 |
10.3 |
4.3 |
City of London Investment Group |
540 |
274 |
12.3 |
11.9 |
N/A |
5.6 |
Impax Asset Management |
966 |
1,281 |
34.5 |
25.9 |
27.7 |
0.9 |
Jupiter |
261 |
1,441 |
10.3 |
9.7 |
6.1 |
6.6 |
Liontrust |
1,550 |
946 |
16.7 |
13.8 |
11.2 |
2.1 |
Man Group |
162 |
3,264 |
11.1 |
10.0 |
7.8 |
2.5 |
Polar Capital |
757 |
748 |
12.3 |
11.1 |
8.0 |
4.4 |
Schroders |
3,539 |
9,489 |
16.9 |
15.7 |
11.7 |
3.2 |
Average |
16.1 |
14.2 |
11.8 |
3.7 |
||
Record |
84.1 |
165 |
21.5 |
18.0 |
15.5 |
2.7 |
Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Note: P/E and EV/EBITDA on a calendar-year basis. Record’s dividend yield excludes the special dividend. Priced at 26 April 2021.
Exhibit 2: Financial summary
£'000s |
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021e |
2022e |
|
Year end 31 March |
|
|
|||||
PROFIT & LOSS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
23,834 |
24,973 |
25,563 |
25,718 |
30,731 |
Operating expenses |
|
|
(16,735) |
(17,089) |
(17,996) |
(19,418) |
(20,221) |
Other income/(expense) |
|
|
173 |
(8) |
82 |
(36) |
0 |
Operating Profit (before amort. and except.) |
|
|
7,272 |
7,876 |
7,649 |
6,265 |
10,510 |
Finance income |
|
|
56 |
113 |
88 |
37 |
38 |
Profit Before Tax |
|
|
7,328 |
7,989 |
7,737 |
6,302 |
10,548 |
Taxation |
(1,182) |
(1,559) |
(1,365) |
(1,197) |
(2,004) |
||
Minority interests |
|
|
0 |
0 |
48 |
60 |
30 |
Attributable profit |
|
|
6,146 |
6,430 |
6,420 |
5,165 |
8,574 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue/AUME (excl. perf fees) bps |
|
|
5.1 |
4.9 |
4.9 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
Operating margin (%) |
|
|
30.5 |
31.5 |
29.9 |
24.4 |
34.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m) |
|
|
206.5 |
198.1 |
197.1 |
197.1 |
197.1 |
Basic EPS (p) |
|
|
3.03 |
3.27 |
3.26 |
2.63 |
4.36 |
EPS - diluted (p) |
|
|
2.98 |
3.25 |
3.26 |
2.62 |
4.35 |
Dividend per share (p) |
|
|
2.30 |
2.30 |
2.30 |
2.30 |
2.30 |
Special dividend per share (p) |
|
|
0.50 |
0.69 |
0.41 |
0.00 |
0.70 |
Total dividend (p) |
|
|
2.80 |
2.99 |
2.71 |
2.30 |
3.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE SHEET |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
2,339 |
2,161 |
4,868 |
4,492 |
3,827 |
Intangible Assets |
|
|
228 |
288 |
470 |
455 |
440 |
Tangible Assets |
|
|
910 |
761 |
751 |
601 |
451 |
Investments |
|
|
1,115 |
1,112 |
2,472 |
2,759 |
2,759 |
Other |
|
|
86 |
0 |
1,175 |
677 |
177 |
Current Assets |
|
|
29,737 |
31,427 |
31,149 |
27,941 |
32,403 |
Debtors |
|
|
6,775 |
7,562 |
8,704 |
8,531 |
9,526 |
Cash |
|
|
12,498 |
12,966 |
14,294 |
6,761 |
10,228 |
Money market instruments |
|
|
10,198 |
10,735 |
7,958 |
12,491 |
12,491 |
Other |
|
|
266 |
164 |
193 |
158 |
158 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
(5,525) |
(6,158) |
(6,955) |
(5,550) |
(5,381) |
Creditors |
|
|
(2,630) |
(2,736) |
(3,009) |
(2,840) |
(3,171) |
Financial liabilities |
|
|
(2,467) |
(2,621) |
(2,191) |
(1,800) |
(1,800) |
Other |
|
|
(428) |
(801) |
(1,755) |
(910) |
(410) |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
0 |
(29) |
(901) |
(353) |
(353) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
|
|
26,551 |
27,401 |
28,161 |
26,531 |
30,496 |
Minority interests |
|
|
0 |
60 |
132 |
72 |
42 |
Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders |
|
26,551 |
27,341 |
28,029 |
26,459 |
30,454 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No of shares at year end |
|
|
199.1 |
199.1 |
199.1 |
199.1 |
199.1 |
NAV per share p |
|
|
13.3 |
13.7 |
14.1 |
13.3 |
15.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOW |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Cash Flow |
|
|
2,746 |
7,026 |
6,543 |
5,229 |
8,798 |
Capex |
|
|
(236) |
(72) |
(243) |
(140) |
(140) |
Cash flow from other investing activities |
|
|
7,899 |
(561) |
1,513 |
(5,384) |
(112) |
Dividends |
|
|
(6,810) |
(5,517) |
(5,888) |
(5,357) |
(4,578) |
Other financing activities |
|
|
(10,367) |
(613) |
(943) |
(2,026) |
(500) |
Other |
|
|
146 |
205 |
346 |
145 |
0 |
Net Cash Flow |
|
|
(6,622) |
468 |
1,328 |
(7,533) |
3,467 |
Opening cash/(net debt) |
|
|
19,120 |
12,498 |
12,966 |
14,294 |
6,761 |
Closing net (debt)/cash |
|
|
12,498 |
12,966 |
14,294 |
6,761 |
10,228 |
Closing net debt/(cash) inc money market instruments |
22,696 |
23,701 |
22,252 |
19,252 |
22,719 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUME |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening ($'bn) |
|
|
58.2 |
62.2 |
57.3 |
58.6 |
80.1 |
Net new money flows |
|
|
(1.2) |
(4.5) |
4.6 |
9.7 |
1.2 |
Market/other |
|
|
5.2 |
(0.4) |
(3.3) |
11.8 |
0.4 |
Closing ($'bn) |
|
|
62.2 |
57.3 |
58.6 |
80.1 |
81.7 |
Source: Record accounts, Edison Investment Research
|
|
Research: Investment Companies
Standard Life UK Smaller Companies (SLS) is managed by Harry Nimmo and Abby Glennie at Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI). They are positive on the outlook for UK small-cap stocks given the start of a new economic cycle. The managers are encouraged that several investee companies are issuing positive trading statements and reinstating their dividends, and while valuation is a secondary consideration they note that several of the trust’s holdings are currently trading on inexpensive valuation multiples. The managers explain that while SLS historically underperforms during periods of what they describe as ‘dash for trash’ when its quality, growth and momentum-focused stocks are less favoured by investors, these periods tend not to last long, and they are confident in the investment process’s ability to deliver above-average returns over the long term.