FinLab — Adding value to the fintech portfolio

FinLab recorded a diluted H119 EPS of €0.84 compared with €0.31 in H118 (Exhibit 1). As a consequence of Heliad Equity Partners’ weak FY18 results, FinLab did not receive a performance fee or dividend from Heliad in H119 (vs €0.5m and €0.9m in H118, respectively). However, this was more than offset by other income streams from its asset management companies (Heliad Management, Patriarch and EOS VC Fund). As a result, total income increased 4.3% y-o-y to €2.9m. With broadly stable operating expenses, EBIT was €1.2m from €1.0m in H118.

FinLab’s bottom line was assisted by an improved financial result (€3.55m in H119 vs €0.9m in H118), on the back of higher write-ups on the unlisted holdings of €3.4m compared with €0.9m in H118. Based on our discussions with management, we understand that this was due to 1) the revaluation of Kapilendo, triggered by the conversion of its loans at a higher valuation as part of the wevest Digital acquisition; and 2) a new funding round completed by Iconic Holding in January 2019 which resulted in a higher valuation (we outline the transactions below).

As a result, net income was €4.6m compared with €1.6m in H118. At the same time, the c 25% decline in Heliad’s share price in H119 led to a lower revaluation reserve, which was down by €5.2m (after a decrease of €8.9m in H118). Consequently, the overall result was -€0.6m vs -€7.3m in H118.

NAV per share remained broadly stable at €20.21 at end-June 2019 compared to €20.51 at end-March 2019 (down c -1.5%) as the positive impact from the write-ups of non-listed holdings was more than offset by the c 24% share price depreciation of Heliad Equity Partners between March and June this year (the company represented c 15.3% of FinLab’s NAV as of end-June 2019 vs c 19.8% as of end-March 2019). FinLab has achieved an NAV total return (TR) of c 20% pa at end-June 2019 since its establishment (end-2014) while its last 12 months (LTM) NAV TR was 3.6%.

That said, Heliad’s share price rebounded to €4.76 (6 September 2019), close to the end-December 2018 level of €4.79. We believe this is attributable to the c 42% share price appreciation of flatex (formerly FinTech Group) since end-June 2019. The company is Heliad’s main portfolio holding, representing c 61% share of its NAV at end-June 2019 (vs 54% at end-December 2019), according to our calculations. We note that flatex recently initiated a review of strategic options, including the possible sale of the business and the onboarding of new investors. This could potentially represent an exit route for Heliad and (depending on the attractiveness of the actual exit price) translate into a significant disposal gain, which could result in a performance fee and dividend payment to FinLab.

In parallel, Heliad continues the restructuring of its portfolio, which it initiated after management changes in April 2019. In H119, Heliad recorded net income of €0.4m compared with a net loss of €15.8m in H118, largely due to a swing from a net revaluation loss of €12.3m in H118 to net revaluation income of €1.6m. We believe the main contributor was flatex, whose share price increased c 14% in H119.

Following the acquisition of ONPEX in February 2019 (see more details in our last update), FinLab’s fintech portfolio consists of 10 holdings. This compares with management’s target of around 12–14 fintech portfolio investments, which is the maximum number of companies FinLab can actively manage at a time. Consequently, even though there is still scope for further transactions (the company had €8.2m in cash on its balance sheet at end-June 2019), the emphasis may gradually shift to value creation in existing holdings rather than portfolio expansion.

In terms of follow-on investments, Iconic Holding closed a seven-digit financing round in January this year in order to further develop and launch its Asset-Management-as-a-Service (AMaaS) platform (see our last update note for more details). Importantly, in July 2019, Cryptology Asset Group provided a further seven-digit million-euro equity amount, which will be used to 1) finance the launch of the AMaaS platform for external crypto asset managers in Q319; 2) introduce Iconic Funds’ offering to institutional and accredited investors in Q319 (the company received regulatory in-principle approvals in July 2019); and 3) bring crypto asset exchange traded products (ETPs) to the European market in Q419.

We note that FinLab’s largest portfolio holdings started to scale up their operations either through geographic expansion or M&A, which remains in line with broader trends observed in more mature fintech market segments, payments/banking and non-banking lending in particular. Deposit Solutions (which represented c 29% of FinLab’s NAV as of end-August 2019) launched Savedo in the first non-EU market (Switzerland) in February 2019 after announcing in November 2018 its plans to enter the US. Moreover, the company strengthened its strategic focus on the core business related to open banking by the disposal of its rental deposit management division Deutsche Kautionspartner to Aareal Bank for an undisclosed amount in June 2019.

Kapilendo expanded its product portfolio after the acquisition of a 100% stake in the banking platform wevest Digital announced in September 2019. Its current SME lending offering will now be extended with issuance of blockchain-based securities as well as digital asset management, including exchange traded funds (ETFs), active portfolio management products, crowdinvesting in German SMEs and real estate, as well as direct corporate investments. Consequently, Kapilendo will transform into a digital banking partner for medium-sized businesses. We note that the issuance of blockchain-based securities is also a core product of another FinLab portfolio holding, Cashlink.

The remaining portfolio holdings continue to market new products, expand their customer base and enter into partnerships. In May 2019, Authada announced that it has launched its onsite customer identification and legitimation application in several German savings banks (Sparkassen) in partnership with S-Markt & Mehrwert. Moreover, as announced in July 2019, the AUTHADA-app will also run on iPhones and be available not only in the Google Play Store but also in the App Store from September 2019 (following the release of the iOS 13 update). Authada states this opens a new market for the company, as iOS users obtain open access to the NFC interface that so far has been available only for a fee. Moreover, Authada expanded its cooperation with comdirect in August 2019, allowing its customers to open current accounts with Authada’s identification solution.

In order to prove the functionality of its offering, Cashlink issued its own blockchain-based digital securities in May 2019 by means of a private placement to professional investors as well as its four existing shareholders: FinLab, Panta Rhei, seed & speed and Deplanis. In March 2019, Vaultoro launched its second product, an online savings account, Bar9, which enables its users to save money in the form of gold. ONPEX has entered into several partnerships with international financial institutions since December 2018.

FinLab’s development is driven by its ability to grow its NAV over time. Earnings in any given year can be volatile, being dependent on the timing of revaluations and exits, which are reflected in the income statement on recognition.

The company’s NAV per share remained broadly stable at €20.21 at end-June 2019 vs €20.44 at end-December 2018, while the share price declined c 6% over the six months. FinLab currently trades at a c 15% discount to the end-June NAV. Heliad Equity Partners comprised c 15.3% of FinLab’s NAV as of end-June 2019 and at that date, it traded at a c 42% discount to its end-June (last reported) NAV per share of €6.25. While it is typical for investment companies to trade at a discount, it is instructive to consider the impact on FinLab’s NAV if Heliad’s assets were reflected at NAV. If the discount was removed, FinLab’s NAV (at end-June 2019) would increase to €22.46 per share, which implies the current share price represents a discount to the last reported NAV of c 23%.

If we reflect the share price movements of major listed holdings within Heliad’s portfolio (flatex, MagForce and Elumeo) since end-June 2019 and subsequently remove Heliad’s discount to its end June NAV (ie apply par value), Finlab’s discount is 24%. This is largely a function of the 42% appreciation in the flatex share price since end-June 2019.