Record — Update 25 January 2017

Financials

Record

Good performance in uncertain times

Q3 trading update

Financial services

25 January 2017

Price	36.25p
Market cap	£80m

Net cash and money market instruments (£m) at 30 September 2016, excluding cash consolidated from seed funds.		28.8

Shares in issue	221.4m
Free float	32%
Code	REC

Primary exchange	LSE
Secondary exchange	N/A

Share price performance

%	1m	3m	12m
Abs	1.4	33.6	45.7
Rel (local)	0.2	30.7	21.8

52-week high/low

40.00p

24.00p

Business description

Record is a specialist independent currency manager that provides a number of products and services, including passive and dynamic hedging, and a range of currency for return strategies, including funds and customised segregated accounts.

Next events

Year end	31 March 2017
Q4 trading update	21 April 2017
Annual results	16 June 2017

Analysts

Andrew Mitchell	+44 (0)20 3681 2500
Julian Roberts	+44 (0)20 3077 5748

financials@edisongroup.com

Edison profile page

Record is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Record’s Q317 trading update continued a series of positive updates through the financial year. It showed an increase in assets under management equivalent (AUME), positive currency for return performance and reported continuing interest in the company’s products in a climate of political and economic uncertainty. We have slightly raised our estimates to account for the higher AUME and recent dollar strength. Against this background, the rating of 13.7x FY17e earnings, supported by a yield of 4.6%, appears undemanding.

Year end	Revenue (£m)	PBT* (£m)	EPS* (p)	DPS (p)	P/E (x)	Yield (%)
03/15	20.9	7.5	2.65	1.65	13.7	4.6
03/16	21.2	7.0	2.54	1.65	14.3	4.6
03/17e	21.9	7.4	2.64	1.65	13.7	4.6
03/18e	23.5	8.4	2.97	1.65	12.2	4.6

Note: *PBT and EPS exclude non-controlling interests relating to seed investments. Prospective DPS excludes any special dividends.

Q317 update

The update marked a continuation of positive performance by most of the currency for return strategies, supported by divergent interest rate policies among major central banks. AUME grew by 2.9% from $55bn to $56.6bn, with net client inflows of $2.2bn in the quarter set against negative net market and exchange rate movements of $0.6bn. In sterling terms, this overall growth was magnified to 8% by the dollar’s recent strength. Even allowing for the announced AUME outflows of $1bn from end January, Record will have seen net inflows since September 2016. Fee rates are largely unchanged for all products.

Estimates raised

The AUME movements have a positive effect on our estimates, which do not have any net flows or market movement assumptions built into them. We have allowed for the reported reduction in AUME of $1bn since the end of the quarter. Our FY17 and FY18 revenue estimates have increased by 1% and 2%, respectively, which feeds through to increases in PBT and earnings. We have not changed our dividend forecast of 1.65p in FY17 and FY18, but as in previous notes we point out a change to the dividend policy adopted this financial year: the board will consider returning earnings in excess of the dividend to shareholders if it is satisfied that the company has a sufficient capital buffer to justify doing so. We estimate that a total dividend in FY17 of 2.55p may be possible.

Valuation: Currency volatility

At a calendar FY16e P/E ratio of c 14x our estimated earnings, Record is ranked in line with the average for UK asset managers and has the lowest EV/EBITDA ratio of the broad peer group (see Exhibit 4 on page 4). Exposure to the US dollar and related uncertainty over the impact of President Trump may explain that to some extent, but those factors could drive AUME inflows too. A continuation of positive currency for return performance, further AUME growth and any special distribution could be catalysts for a re-rating.

Q317 update

The quarterly update covering the three months to 31 December 2016 showed a further increase in AUME, driven largely by $2.2bn of client flows, and positive market movements of $1.8bn, partly offset by an exchange rate impact of negative $2.4bn for a net increase of $1.6bn. Dollar strength was the dominant theme of the quarter after President Trump’s surprise victory in the US election in November. The period was also marked by continued divergence of central bank policy: the Federal Reserve increased its base rate by 0.25% in December, in contrast with the Bank of England’s most recent move to cut rates following the EU referendum and the European Central Bank decision to extend its quantitative easing programme in December. Highlights from the update were:

■

AUME stood at $56.6bn at 31 December, up 2.9% from 30 September ($55bn) and client numbers were up by three to 64.

■

Positive client flows in Dynamic Hedging ($0.5bn) and Passive Hedging ($1.3bn) were partially offset by post-period end terminations of one Dynamic Hedging mandate to manage $0.3bn of AUME and six Passive Hedging mandates covering $0.7bn. The latter are all related but count as separate accounts, so while the client count is now 57, the change in terms of business relationships has been smaller.

■

The multi-product segment saw inflows of $0.4bn in the quarter.

■

Performance in the quarter was positive for US Dynamic Hedging clients as the dollar strengthened, with the highest gains from hedging the yen. For UK-based Dynamic Hedging clients the programme controlled hedging losses as sterling weakened against the weighted basket of currencies, with negative returns mainly from hedging the US dollar. The multi-strategy segment comprising FTSE Currency FRB10, Emerging Market, Momentum and Value products saw positive performance as gains in FRB10 and Emerging Markets strategies outweighed losses in the other two. The longest-running mandate now has annualised ungeared performance of 1.76% since inception on 31 July 2012.

■

Fees remain stable and we assume 13bp for Dynamic Hedging, 17bp for Currency for return, 20bp for Multi-strategy and 4bp for passive mandates. No performance fees were earned in the quarter.

Exhibit 1: AUME changes

$bn	30 September 2016	31 December 2016	30 September 2016	31 December 2016
$bn	Net flows	Net flows	AUME	AUME
Dynamic Hedging	0	0.5	5.7	6.1
Passive Hedging	1.3	1.3	45.6	46.3
Currency for return	0.2	0	0.9	1.0
Multi-product	0	0.4	2.6	3.0
Cash and futures	0	0	0.2	0.2
Totals	1.5	2.2	55.0	56.6
Markets		1.8
FX effects		(2.4)
Total change		1.6

Source: Record company data

As in past notes, we summarise AUME changes in Exhibit 1, although due to the change in classification explained in our last note, direct comparison with earlier periods is not possible. In terms of client numbers, Q3 saw a net gain of three, continuing the recent trend. Although a general indicator, client numbers are a relatively crude one: the gain of three includes the loss of one client because two mandates from funds controlled by the same organisation have merged. Similarly, the six passive mandates terminated in Q4 are with separate legal entities that share a parent, so the loss is effectively only one business relationship. We note that if the outflows reported in Q417 are included, net client flows since September 2016 remain positive or flat for each segment.

In Exhibit 2 we summarise the performance of the main currency for return products given in the trading update. As at the last update, the FTSE Currency FRB10 Index fund continues to track the index closely with 1.8x gearing. The performance of the FRB10 and Emerging Markets strategies outweighed losses in the Momentum and Value components, meaning that the multi-strategy product was also positive in the quarter.

Exhibit 2: Currency for return products – performance data

	Q3	Q2	Q1	Annualised since inception	Inception
FTSE FRB10 Currency Index	+1.96	+1.37	+0.78
Emerging market product (ungeared)	+4.02	+2.51	+0.63	+1.89	30/11/2009
Multi-strategy product (ungeared)	+1.11	+1.35	+1.48	+1.76*	31/07/2012

Source: Record company data. Note: *Annualised performance since inception for the longest standing multi-strategy mandate.

In their comments on the market outlook, management reiterated the observation that market volatility, driven by a variety of political and economic surprises, is still providing Record with opportunities to discuss its return-seeking and risk-reducing products with existing and potential clients. Elections will take place in France, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany in the next 18 months, adding to uncertainty. Combined with several positive quarters of performance to date and a divergent interest rate environment supportive of carry trades such as those used in forward rate bias strategies, Record appears well-placed to attract more business and continue to perform well.

Estimate changes

Our forecasts do not assume any change in AUME nor any market performance, therefore the positive AUME and market movement reported in the Q3 update lead us to increase our estimates slightly, as outlined in Exhibit 3. We have not changed our dividend forecast, but would highlight the change to the board’s dividend policy now that it considers Record’s capital buffer to be sufficient for the company’s foreseeable needs and the confidence of its existing and potential clients.

Exhibit 3: Earnings revisions

	Revenue* (£m)		% chg.	PBT* (£m)		% chg.	EPS* (p)		% chg.	DPS (p)		% chg.
	Old	New	Old	New	Old	New	Old	New	% chg.
03/17e	21.7	21.9	1%	7.2	7.4	2%	2.62	2.64	1%	1.65	1.65	0%
03/18e	23.1	23.5	2%	8.1	8.4	4%	2.91	2.97	2%	1.65	1.65	0%

Source: Record accounts, Edison Investment Research. Note: *Normalised.

Valuation

As in previous notes we compare Record with a peer group of UK asset managers; although it is differentiated by its focus on foreign currency and hedging strategies and its level of AUME is driven by different factors, Record does share some features of its business model with this group. As shown in Exhibit 4, Record is near the average in terms of prospective P/E (shown for the 2016 calendar year) and has the lowest EV/EBITDA multiple. While the share price has risen 45% over the last six months, the dividend yield remains attractive at 4.6%. The company’s capital position is strong: it had marketable securities, cash and cash equivalents of £28.8m at the half-year as well as shareholders’ funds of £35m. The board may decide that this is sufficient to give clients confidence in Record’s financial stability and may therefore return excess earnings to shareholders. Our estimates indicate that a special dividend of 0.9p might be possible, increasing the dividend yield to c 7% on the current share price of 36.25p.

Exhibit 4: Earnings and EBITDA multiples for UK fund managers

	Price (p)	Market capitalisation (£m)	P/E ratio* (x)	EV/EBITDA (x)
Aberdeen Asset Management	266.4	3,494	12.5	8.3
Ashmore	293.2	2,202	15.9	9.7
City of London Inv Group	355.0	95	10.1	7.8
Henderson	228.5	2,550	15.4	10.9
Impax Asset Management	70.0	89	14.8	N/A
Jupiter	393.4	1,797	13.0	8.8
Liontrust	386.9	176	11.6	7.8
Man Group	126.4	2,179	12.9	7.7
Polar Capital	376.3	357	16.6	12.6
Schroders	2,989.0	8,051	17.0	12.8
Average			14.0	9.6
Record	36.3	80	14.3	7.0

Source: Bloomberg, Edison Investment Research. Note: *Using calendar 2016e earnings. Priced as at 24 January 2017.

Exhibit 5: Financial summary

£000s	2015	2016	2017e	2018e
Year to March	IFRS	IFRS	IFRS	IFRS
PROFIT & LOSS
Revenue	21,057	21,134	21,862	23,495
Operating expenses	(13,521)	(14,344)	(14,629)	(15,273)
Operating Profit (before amort. and except.)	7,536	6,790	7,233	8,222
Finance income	146	143	142	146
Profit Before Tax	7,682	6,933	7,375	8,368
Taxation	(1,708)	(1,523)	(1,549)	(1,757)
Minority interests	(192)	131	0	0
Attributable profit	5,782	5,541	5,826	6,611

Normalised revenue (underlying)	20,865	21,246	21,862	23,495
Operating expenses (excl. dep'n and amortisation)	(13,206)	(14,023)	(14,308)	(14,952)
EBITDA	7,659	7,223	7,554	8,543
Depreciation and amortisation	(315)	(321)	(321)	(321)
Normalised Operating profits	7,344	6,902	7,233	8,222
Finance income	146	143	142	146
Profit Before Tax (norm)	7,490	7,045	7,375	8,368

Normalised revenue/AuME (excl. perf fees) bps	6.0	4.7	0.0	5.2
Normalised Operating Margin norm. (%)	35.2	32.5	33.1	35.0

Average Diluted Shares Outstanding (m)	218.4	217.9	220.4	222.4
Basic EPS (p)	2.66	2.55	2.66	2.99
EPS - normalised fully diluted (p)	2.65	2.54	2.64	2.97
Dividend per share - proposed (p)	1.65	1.65	1.65	1.65

BALANCE SHEET
Fixed Assets	3,273	423	332	241
Intangible Assets	504	299	155	11
Tangible Assets	129	81	134	187
Investments	2,567	0	0	0
Deferred tax assets	73	43	43	43
Current Assets	37,053	40,541	42,960	46,190
Debtors	6,324	5,695	5,860	6,298
Cash	12,010	21,720	23,973	26,767
Money market instruments	18,100	13,020	13,020	13,020
Other	619	106	106	106
Current Liabilities	(4,522)	(3,256)	(3,341)	(3,523)
Creditors	(2,949)	(2,372)	(2,441)	(2,623)
Other	(1,573)	(884)	(900)	(900)
Net Assets	35,804	37,708	39,951	42,908
Minority interests	3,876	4,019	4,019	4,019
Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders	31,928	33,689	35,932	38,889
No of shares at year end	217.5	217.2	221.4	221.4
NAV per share p	14.7	15.5	16.2	17.6

CASH FLOW
Operating Cash Flow	6,472	5,791	5,925	6,530
Capex	(128)	(29)	(130)	(130)
Cash flow from investing activities	0	(39)	(100)	(100)
Dividends	(3,266)	(3,750)	(3,583)	(3,653)
Other financing activities	(2,571)	7,737	142	146
Other	0	0	0	0
Net Cash Flow	507	9,710	2,253	2,793
Opening cash/(net debt)	11,503	12,010	21,720	23,973
Other	0	0	0	0
Closing net (debt)/cash	12,010	21,720	23,973	26,767
Closing net debt/(cash) including money market instruments	30,110	34,740	36,993	39,787

Closing AUME ($bn)	55.4*	52.9	55.6	55.6

Source: Record accounts, Edison Investment Research. Note: *2015 AUME on previous disclosure basis.

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 and Sydney. 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 2017 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by Record 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 2017. “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

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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

Sydney +61 (0)2 9258 1161

Level 25, Aurora Place

88 Phillip St, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Equities

Equities by Sector

Sectors

Investment Strategy

Latest

Equity strategy and market outlook – March 2024

Equity strategy and market outlook – February 2024

Equity strategy and market outlook – January 2024

Thematics

Latest

Listed private equity – Performing a balancing act

ConsumerWatch – At least someone loves me

MediaWatch – Rinse and repeat

Audiovisual

Latest

IP Group – executive interview

Take on Trusts – March 2024

Oakley Capital Investments – executive interview

About Edison

About Edison

Careers

Record (LSE: REC)

Record — Update 25 January 2017

Financials

Financials

Latest

Arcadium Lithium — When one plus one equals three

ABO Energy — Global growth generates record net profit

Next 15 Group — Baked in AI opportunities

Severfield — Multiple positives should excite investors

IP Group — Several potential portfolio catalysts on the horizon

More on Record

Record — Underlying growth and pipeline are attractive

Record — Core inflows solid but delays in new product line

Record — Positive outlook for FY24

Record — Strong inflows in FY23

Latest from the Financials sector

JDC Group — Accelerating again in FY24

Helios Underwriting — Strong share price on supportive fundamentals

ABC arbitrage — FY23 results in line with market conditions

Alpha Bank — Full steam ahead

Wincanton — Update 25 January 2017

Subscribe to Edison