Cohort — Update 12 December 2016

Cohort (AIM: CHRT)

Last close As at 15/04/2024

440.00

11.00 (2.56%)

Market capitalisation

GBP177m

More on this equity

Research: Industrials

Cohort — Update 12 December 2016

Cohort

Andy Chambers

Written by

Andy Chambers

Director, Industrials

Industrials

Cohort

Level up in sight

Interim results

Aerospace & defence

12 December 2016

Price

413p

Market cap

£166m

€1.1850/£

Net cash (£m) at 31 October 2016

9.9

Shares in issue

40.2m

Free float

70%

Code

CHRT

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

14.5

30.6

(0.7)

Rel (local)

13.6

28.1

(11.1)

52-week high/low

416.0p

289.5p

Business description

Cohort is an AIM-listed defence and security company operating across five divisions: MASS (26% of FY17e sales); SEA (38%); SCS (13%); MCL (13%); and the recently acquired Portuguese business EID (10%).

Next event

FY17 results

June 2017

Analysts

Andy Chambers

+44 (0)20 3681 2525

Alexandra West

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Cohort is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Cohort has delivered solid profit growth in H117; this performance is expected to strengthen in the second half. The mix of profitability and reducing minorities has led us to increase our FY18 forecasts by 6% at the EPS level. The progressive dividend policy provides immediate benefit to investors, but the capital progress should also remain attractive. The shares have performed well in recent months, aided by a healthy rerating of peer defence stocks; as a result, our fair value has risen to 485p, supported by the improved cash flow valuation.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

04/15

99.9

10.2

20.5

5.0

20.2

1.2

04/16

112.6

12.0

25.0

6.0

16.5

1.5

04/17e

125.8

14.3

24.1

7.0

17.1

1.7

04/18e

138.9

16.6

33.4

8.0

12.4

1.9

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and one-off tax credit of 2.20p in FY16.

Solid progress in the first half

The order book at the half year had grown to £129.6m from £116.0m at the start of the year, including the acquired backlog from EID. Overall, H117 sales rose marginally, generating a healthy increase in operating profit of 11%, a 70bp rise in margins to 7.7%. This resulted from better than anticipated EID and MCL contributions, which more than offset SCS moving into loss and temporary weakness at SEA. The operating cash outflow of £3.8m was as expected, and FY17 net funds movement should be broadly neutral before £12.5m of anticipated spend on the minority buy-ins at MCL and EID, which are retarding EPS progression. The net dividend was increased by 15.7% to 2.2p.

Acquisitions driving an improved FY18 outlook

Management expects a stronger H2 performance and has maintained guidance for FY17. £49.5m of the period-end order book is deliverable in H217, providing strong order cover for the full year, representing around 80% of consensus estimates. Additional orders of £16m secured since the end of H117 further underpin H217 revenues. The improvement will be aided by the elimination of the losses at SCS, a recovery at SEA and a full six-month contribution from EID. The strength of margin performance at both MCL and EID during H117 are most encouraging, particularly as the dilutive minority stakes should be eliminated or reduced by the end of the financial year. The enhancement to a stronger FY18 performance will be significant and provides a higher earnings basis for comparative valuation.

Valuation: A new base being established

The strong performance of EID and MCL means the minorities act as a drag on earnings this year. As these should be more fully consolidated in FY18 EPS, we think that is a more realistic base to assess Cohort’s progress. The mix of organic growth, healthy margins, rising free cash flow and dividend progression compares favourably to UK defence peers, implying the modest P/E premium that our fair value calculation of 485p (up from 439p previously) indicates is plausible.

H117 delivers healthy profit progression

Exhibit 1: Cohort half-yearly splits

Year end April (£000s)

H116

H216

FY16

H117

H217e

FY17e

Group revenue

49,667

62,910

112,577

50,039

75,734

125,773

Adjusted operating profit

3,476

8,426

11,902

3,872

10,383

14,255

PPA intangible amortisation

-3,246

-3,133

-6,379

-5,012

-6,175

-11,187

Exceptional items:

-18

-103

-121

-2,101

-99

-2,200

Operating (loss)/profit

49

5,197

5,246

-3,241

4,109

868

(Loss)/profit before tax

85

5,225

5,310

-3,248

4,157

909

Adjusted Profit before tax

3,512

8,454

11,966

3,865

10,454

14,319

DPS (p)

1.9

5.1

7.0

2.2

5.8

8.0

Period end net cash (£m)

19.8

 

19.8

 

9.9

7.0

Source: Company reports, Edison Investment Research estimates

The order book at the half year had grown to £129.6m from £116.0m at the start of the year, including £23.1m of acquired backlog at EID. Sales rose £0.3m to £50.0m in H117, including an initial four month contribution from EID of £4.6m. These generated adjusted operating profit growth of 11%, representing a 70bp rise in margins to 7.7%. Divisional summaries are as follows:

EID (10% of FY17e group sales/17% of FY17e group adjusted operating profit): EID has made a strong initial contribution, generating £1.4m of adjusted operating profit in its four months of consolidation from sales of £4.6m, a margin of 30%. In the same period it won almost £5m of new orders, more than half of which came from the defence ministry in Portugal, which should help to allay any concerns of stagnation in its domestic market. £10.4m of H2 revenues are underpinned by the order backlog at the half year.

MCL (14% of sales/17% adjusted operating profit): MCL benefited from delivery against its Tactical Hearing Protection Systems contract secured in FY16. This has now been extended to the end of the current year with follow on orders anticipated. Its relationship with its key customer base focused on the UK’s Special Forces has been shown by additional significant contract wins.

MASS (24% of sales/36% adjusted operating profit): MASS delivered unchanged adjusted operating profits of £2.4m on slightly reduced revenue of £14.5m, reflecting the continued mix improvement as education and lower margin defence work is replaced by electronic warfare countermeasures and software development. £11.7m of H217 divisional sales are underpinned by the £43.0m closing order book at the half year.

SEA (38% of sales/32% adjusted operating profit): SEA saw profits, revenue and margins decline due to lower workloads for the research division as follow on contracts from the Delivering Dismounted Effect programme for DSTL have been delayed. The lumpiness of revenues for large maritime programmes also has an adverse operational gearing impact on the division. Sales fell 19% to £18.0m (H116 £22.3m) generating an operating profit of £1.0m, down from £1.8m in the prior year. £19.5m of its period end order book of £48.5m is deliverable in H217.

SCS (14% of sales/1% adjusted operating profit): after losing an air system contract and still facing challenging market conditions, SCS recorded a loss of £0.5m on sharply reduced revenues of £5m (H116 £9.1m) during the period. Management responded promptly to restructure SCS with its profitable operating divisions being moved into the larger MASS and SEA operations as appropriate. The process was completed by the end of November eliminating significant overhead. An exceptional charge of £2.2m was incurred during H117 to cover transition and redundancy costs, asset write downs and an onerous lease. Around £2m is cash of which around half flows out in FY17, the balance representing spend over the next four years.

The net dividend was increased by 0.3p (15.8%) to 2.2p compared to H116 in line with our full year expectation of a 1.0p increment in the payment.

Outlook

In addition to the normal seasonally stronger performance, H217 should also benefit from:

A full half year contribution from EID

Strong underlying performances at both MCL and EID

A return to profit at SCS

A recovery of the H117 profit shortfall at SEA

Strong order intake since the start of H216 is also encouraging, with £16.3m booked. The backlog underpins second-half expectations. We expect a modest net cash outflow to leave year end net cash at around £7m, although it should be noted this is after spending a further £11m on the minority buy-ins. With the elimination of most of this dilution, and with stronger than previously expected performances from MCL and EID, we have increased our FY18 forecasts (see Exhibit 3). We expect FY18 EPS to be setting a higher benchmark which to value the company.

Valuation

We continue to calculate a fair value for Cohort from the simple average of a capped DCF and a peer-based group, CY17-based SOP. This currently returns a value of 485p (from 439p), which equates to a P/E ratio of 14.5x FY18 EPS, which represents an 18% premium to the current share price and equates to a 5% PER premium to the broader UK Defence sector. We feel that this is supported by the visibility afforded by the order cover, the full year contribution from EID bolstering the strong expected recovery in earnings with reduced minority interests as they are reduced.

Our capped DCF valuation currently uses a calculated WACC of 8.0% in our base assumption, which returns a value of 497p per share. The sensitivity to WACC and terminal growth rate is shown in Exhibit 2 with our base assumption highlighted in bold.

Exhibit 2: Capped DCF sensitivity analysis (p/share) for WACC and terminal growth rate

WACC

6.0%

6.5%

7.0%

7.5%

8.0%

8.5%

9.0%

9.5%

10.0%

Terminal growth rate

0%

675

620

573

533

497

466

439

414

392

1%

680

625

577

537

501

469

442

417

394

2%

685

629

582

540

504

473

445

419

397

3%

690

634

586

544

508

476

448

422

399

Source: Edison Investment Research estimates

For our sum-of-the-parts basis the currently the derived value is 473p per share.

Exhibit 3: Cohort peer group SOP calculation (CY17 basis)

 £m

EBITA (CY17)

Tax rate (%)

NOPAT (CY17)

PER

Value (£m)

Notes

MASS

6.3

15.0%

5.3

14.4

76

Average of QinetiQ (15.3x), Ultra (13.8x) and Cobham (13.9x)

SCS

0.9

15.0%

0.7

13.8

10

10% discount to QinetiQ (15.3x)

SEA

6.1

15.0%

5.1

14.6

71

Average of QinetiQ (15.3x) and Ultra (13.8x)

MCL

2.3

15.0%

1.9

12.5

24

10% discount to Ultra (13.8x) and Cobham (13.9x)

EID

3.3

15.0%

2.7

14.6

40

Average of QinetiQ (15.3x) and Ultra (13.8x)

Less Minority interest in EID

-8

Carrying value

Less Head office costs

-31

Calendarised central costs (12.4x PER)

EV

183

Net cash

7

FY17e net cash after EID and MCL minority purchases

Equity value

190

Shares in issue (m)

40

Implied fair value per share (p)

 

 

 

 

473

 

Source: Bloomberg, Edison Investment Research estimates

Financials

Exhibit 4: Cohort revisions to estimates

Year to April (£m)

2017e

2017e

%

2018e

2018e

%

 

Prior

New

change

Prior

New

change

MASS

34.1

30.7

-10.0%

37.1

34.1

-8.1%

SCS

17.5

17.5

0.0%

17.5

17.5

0.0%

SEA

50.0

47.5

-5.0%

53.5

52.0

-2.8%

MCL

17.0

17.0

0.0%

18.0

18.0

0.0%

EID

13.1

13.1

0.0%

17.3

17.3

0.0%

Total group revenue

131.7

125.8

-4.5%

143.4

138.9

-3.1%

EBITDA

15.5

15.5

-0.4%

17.0

18.4

5.0%

MASS

6.1

6.1

0.0%

6.3

6.3

0.0%

SCS

1.3

0.2

-85.1%

1.3

1.2

-4.1%

SEA

5.7

5.4

-5.4%

6.2

5.9

-3.6%

MCL

1.9

2.2

17.7%

2.0

2.3

18.2%

EID

1.7

2.9

69.2%

2.4

3.5

42.9%

HQ Other and intersegment

-2.5

-2.5

1.0%

-2.5

-2.7

9.0%

Adjusted OPBIT (pre PPA amortisation)

14.3

14.3

0.0%

15.6

16.5

5.7%

Underlying PBT

14.3

14.3

0.0%

15.7

16.6

5.7%

EPS - underlying continuing (p)

25.9

24.1

-5.2%

31.6

33.4

5.8%

DPS (p)

7.0

7.0

0.0%

8.0

8.0

0.0%

Net cash / (debt)

5.2

7.0

33.3%

12.5

15.7

28.2%

Source: Edison Investment Research estimates

In FY17, the stronger than expected performances from the more recently acquired businesses of MCL and EID have offset the worsening performance of SCS, which has been restructured and will be absorbed into MASS and SEA. The large minorities in the two businesses mean that EPS drop by 5% against prior expectations in the current year despite the maintenance of profit expectations.

Exhibit 5: Cohort half-yearly divisional analysis

Year end April (£000)

H116

H216

FY16

H117

H217e

FY17e

Revenue

EID

-

-

-

4,630

8,453

13,083

MASS

15,126

16,964

32,090

14,488

16,202

30,690

MCL

3,233

10,476

13,709

7911

9,089

17,000

SCS

9,048

9,100

18,148

5034

12,466

17,500

SEA

22,275

26,498

48,773

18,009

29,491

47,500

Inter-segment revenue

-15

-128

-143

 

-33

33

0

Group total

49,667

62,910

112,577

50,039

75,734

125,773

Adjusted operating profit

EID

-

-

-

1,406

1,472

2,878

MASS

2,372

3,584

5,956

2,400

3,707

6,107

MCL

19

1,385

1,404

753

1,449

2,202

SCS

303

947

1,250

-455

656

201

SEA

1,765

3,677

5,442

1,020

4,371

5,391

Unallocated central costs

-983

-1167

-2,150

 

-1252

-1273

-2,525

Group total

3,476

8,426

11,902

3,872

10,383

14,255

Adjusted operating margin

EID

-

-

-

30.4%

17.4%

22.0%

MASS

15.7%

21.1%

18.6%

16.6%

22.9%

19.9%

MCL

0.6%

13.2%

10.2%

9.5%

15.9%

13.0%

SCS

3.3%

10.4%

6.9%

-9.0%

5.3%

1.2%

SEA

7.9%

13.9%

11.2%

5.7%

14.8%

11.4%

Group total

7.0%

13.4%

10.6%

7.7%

13.7%

11.3%

Source: Company reports, Edison Investment research estimates

The full benefit of the improvement should be apparent in FY18, with the MCL minority expected to be bought out before the end of this month and the EID minority to reduce from the current 57% to 20% before the end of the financial year. The combination of increased contributions from these two divisions, an extra two months from EID, the reduced minority dilution and the recovery in the SCS contribution in its restructured form has led us to increase our profit forecasts by 5.7% at the pre-tax level and by 5.8% at the EPS level.

The higher base level of earnings this provides for future growth is also accompanied by a further improvement in cash expectations, which facilitates the core strategy to drive organic growth augmented by selective acquisitions.

Exhibit 6: Financial summary

£m

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017e

2018e

Year end 30 April

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

PROFIT & LOSS

Revenue

 

 

70.9

71.6

99.9

112.6

125.8

138.9

Cost of Sales

(47.6)

(47.8)

(70.0)

(79.1)

(88.3)

(97.5)

Gross Profit

23.2

23.7

30.0

33.5

37.4

41.3

EBITDA

 

 

7.9

8.8

11.0

13.0

15.5

17.8

Operating Profit (before amort. and except.)

7.3

8.2

10.1

11.9

14.3

16.5

Intangible Amortisation

(0.7)

(0.1)

(3.6)

(6.4)

(11.2)

(5.2)

Exceptionals

1.8

(1.5)

(0.6)

(0.3)

(2.1)

0.0

Other

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Operating Profit

8.4

6.6

5.9

5.2

1.0

11.3

Net Interest

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.0

0.0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

7.5

8.3

10.2

12.0

14.3

16.6

Profit Before Tax (FRS 3)

 

 

8.5

6.7

5.9

5.3

1.0

11.4

Tax

(0.2)

(0.8)

(0.7)

0.1

(1.1)

(1.8)

Profit After Tax (norm)

7.3

7.7

8.9

11.2

12.2

14.1

Profit After Tax (FRS 3)

8.3

5.9

5.2

5.4

(0.1)

9.6

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

40.2

40.0

40.1

40.6

40.2

40.2

EPS - normalised (p)

 

 

18.2

19.1

20.5

27.2

24.1

33.4

EPS - normalised and fully diluted (p)

 

17.9

18.7

20.0

26.7

23.7

32.8

EPS - (IFRS) (p)

 

 

20.8

14.7

11.2

12.7

(6.3)

22.4

Dividend per share (p)

3.5

4.2

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

Gross Margin (%)

32.8

33.1

30.0

29.8

29.8

29.8

EBITDA Margin (%)

11.2

12.3

11.0

11.5

12.3

12.9

Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%)

10.4

11.4

10.1

10.6

11.3

11.9

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

38.4

37.9

66.2

59.7

62.0

57.7

Intangible Assets

31.5

29.4

55.8

49.5

50.3

45.1

Tangible Assets

6.9

8.5

10.3

10.2

11.7

12.6

Investments

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Current Assets

 

 

35.8

39.1

40.3

54.0

38.3

51.7

Stocks

0.2

0.3

1.1

2.0

2.3

2.7

Debtors

16.9

18.2

19.4

27.3

28.7

31.7

Cash

16.4

16.3

19.7

23.1

5.6

15.6

Other

2.2

4.3

0.1

1.6

1.6

1.7

Current Liabilities

 

 

(14.4)

(14.2)

(26.8)

(40.1)

(32.9)

(34.2)

Creditors

(14.4)

(14.2)

(26.8)

(36.8)

(32.9)

(34.2)

Short term borrowings

0.0

0.0

(0.0)

(3.3)

0.0

0.0

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(0.7)

(0.6)

(16.9)

(2.7)

(1.3)

(2.6)

Long term borrowings

0.0

0.0

(0.0)

(0.0)

1.4

0.1

Other long term liabilities

(0.7)

(0.6)

(16.8)

(2.7)

(2.7)

(2.7)

Net Assets

 

 

59.0

62.2

62.8

70.8

66.1

72.5

CASH FLOW

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

5.2

2.6

20.5

8.5

6.4

16.3

Net Interest

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.0

0.0

Tax

(1.1)

0.0

(1.7)

(1.8)

(2.1)

(2.5)

Capex

(0.3)

(2.3)

(1.1)

(1.0)

(2.0)

(2.2)

Acquisitions/disposals

0.0

2.5

(13.5)

(0.7)

(12.5)

0.0

Financing

(0.4)

(1.5)

0.8

(3.2)

0.0

0.0

Dividends

(1.2)

(1.5)

(1.8)

(2.2)

(2.5)

(2.9)

Net Cash Flow

2.3

(0.1)

3.3

(0.3)

(12.8)

8.7

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

(14.1)

(16.4)

(16.3)

(19.7)

(19.8)

(7.0)

HP finance leases initiated

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other

0.0

(0.0)

(0.0)

0.5

0.0

0.0

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

(16.4)

(16.3)

(19.7)

(19.8)

(7.0)

(15.7)

Source: Cohort reports, Edison Investment Research estimates

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Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. 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. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. 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. 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 (ie 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. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2016. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

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280 High Holborn

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United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor

10167, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Wellington +64 (0)48 948 555

Level 15, 171 Featherston St

Wellington 6011

New Zealand

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

245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor

10167, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Wellington +64 (0)48 948 555

Level 15, 171 Featherston St

Wellington 6011

New Zealand

Edison, the investment intelligence firm, is the future of investor interaction with corporates. Our team of over 100 analysts and investment professionals work with leading companies, fund managers and investment banks worldwide to support their capital markets activity. We provide services to more than 400 retained corporate and investor clients from our offices in London, New York, Frankfurt, Sydney and Wellington. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison and is not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2016 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by Cohort and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. 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. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Aus and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Australian Corporations Act. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US 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. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and 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 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. This document is provided 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.
Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. 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. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. 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. 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 (ie 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. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2016. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

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

245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor

10167, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Wellington +64 (0)48 948 555

Level 15, 171 Featherston St

Wellington 6011

New Zealand

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

245 Park Avenue, 39th Floor

10167, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Wellington +64 (0)48 948 555

Level 15, 171 Featherston St

Wellington 6011

New Zealand

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