Entertainment One — Content creation and ownership

Entertainment One — Content creation and ownership

Entertainment One’s full year results showed strong growth in underlying EBITDA, +21%, broadly in line with market and our estimates. The Family & Brands division is benefiting from the higher margins from advertising and streaming video on demand (AVOD and SVOD), with underlying EBITDA up 28%. Film, TV & Music’s performance reflects the completion of the transition in film and the shift in mix toward TV, with an improvement in underlying EBITDA margin from 11.6% to 14.6%. Our revised forecasts show the positive impact of the recent Audio Network acquisition (and the boost from IFRS16), diluted at the EPS level by the additional shares.

Fiona Orford-Williams

Written by

Fiona Orford-Williams

Director, TMT

Entertainment One

Content creation and ownership

Full year results

Media

21 May 2019

Price

460.4p

Market cap

£2,284m

Net debt (£m) as at 31 March 2019 including production finance

433.2

Shares in issue

496.0m

Free float

95.4%

Code

ETO

Primary exchange

LSE (FTSE 250)

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

06

11.1

69.2

Rel (local)

(1.4)

12.4

58.4

52-week high/low

483.4p

278.8p

Business description

Entertainment One is a global independent studio specialising in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. Its rights library, valued at US$2.0bn, is exploited across all media formats, and includes more than 80,000 hours of film and television content and approximately 40,000 music tracks.

Next event

AGM

TBA

Analysts

Fiona Orford-Williams

+44 (0)20 3077 5739

Russell Pointon

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Entertainment One is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Entertainment One’s full year results showed strong growth in underlying EBITDA, +21%, broadly in line with market and our estimates. The Family & Brands division is benefiting from the higher margins from advertising and streaming video on demand (AVOD and SVOD), with underlying EBITDA up 28%. Film, TV & Music’s performance reflects the completion of the transition in film and the shift in mix toward TV, with an improvement in underlying EBITDA margin from 11.6% to 14.6%. Our revised forecasts show the positive impact of the recent Audio Network acquisition (and the boost from IFRS16), diluted at the EPS level by the additional shares.

Year
end

Revenue
(£m)

EBITDA
(£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

03/18

1,029

163.6

124.2

19.3

1.4

23.9

0.3

03/19

941

197.6

160.0

25.0

1.5

18.4

0.3

03/20e

1,150

235.0

192.0

26.0

1.6

17.7

0.3

03/21e

1,250

260.5

214.2

27.3

1.8

16.9

0.4

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Strong slates for FY20e

In Family & Brands, both Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are well-placed into the new trading year, with the former launching its seventh series and the latter its third, initially on Disney Channel North America, then more widely, with series four to follow. Ricky Zoom is launching on Chinese SVOD provider YouKu in the summer, then worldwide, with licensing and merchandising in CY20. FY19 retail sales growth was constrained to 6% due to some caution over the health of the Chinese consumer market. However, the content launches have established strong traction with viewers and we would expect a stronger retail ramp up through FY20e. For Film, TV & Music, the group now has a more focused and targeted film slate and a strong pipeline. TV also has a robust pipeline of new scripted series and renewals for both scripted and unscripted titles, with over 60 projects in development with a range of network partners. The acquisition music company, Audio Network (see our flash note), completed in mid April 2019, so will contribute for nearly all of FY20e.

Investment in production

The proliferation of channels and consequent competition for viewers is sustaining the high demand for quality content and eOne is investing to generate the fuel for future profitability. Management anticipates 83% of its FY20e spend will target own content rather than acquired. This will be heavily weighted to TV, where guidance is for FY20e spend of £350m, up from £213.3m in FY19. £95m is earmarked for film.

Valuation: Priced below peers

eOne’s share price has performed well in CY19 and is up by 29% ytd as the value of its content investment strategy and its platform-agnostic positioning has been recognised by the market. Nevertheless, there is a valuation discrepancy, with the current price putting the group at a c 3% discount to relevant peers on an EV/EBITDA basis averaged over FY20 and FY21e. Our updated SOTP analysis implies a valuation of 475p/share vs 440p/share before.

Investment underpins future growth

FY19 results: Growth drivers in place

Within the Family & Brands division, the strongest revenue growth was from the broadcast and licensing activities, ahead by 144% y-o-y. Underlying divisional EBITDA margin increased from 57.3% to 61.2%, as a greater proportion of the content was distributed through AVOD and SVOD channels where higher margins are achievable than through more traditional routes to market. As indicated above, retail for the key children’s brands is yet to fully ramp up in China and we expect this to accelerate through H220 and FY21.

Peppa Pig has 117 further episodes currently in production, taking the total to 381. New clothing and toy licences are in place in the US, while Merlin Entertainment’s new model Peppa Pig World of Play has outperformed initial expectations and will roll out beyond current locations in Shanghai, Dallas and Michigan. The 15-year anniversary in the UK in 2019 will prompt events and brand awareness. PJ Masks is still very strong in North America, Australia and Germany, with Chinese expansion also fuelling revenue growth assumptions for FY20e. It has SVOD deals worldwide with Netflix and with Mango TV in China, where it also airs with YouKu, iQYI and Tencent. Cupcake & Dino has just started airing its second series of 13 episodes, with the first series having gone out on Netflix globally, Teletoon in Canada and Discovery in Brazil.

Across the Family & Brands division, the group is expecting to have around 1,800 licensing and merchandising contracts in place by the year-end. Guidance is for divisional EBITDA margin for FY20e to be in the 55-60% range (we are modelling 59.2%) as the mix changes and additional investment costs are borne. We expect it to start rising in FY21e as the revenue grows and these costs are recouped.

For Film, TV and Music, FY19 revenues reduced as a function of the deliberately lower film distribution slate, discussed in previous notes. There was also an impact from the decline in the home entertainment market, where there was an impairment taken for the write-down of some film distribution assets, as set out at the half year results. In FY20, all home entertainment activities are being brought together under the auspices of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

With these changes now out of the way, we anticipate a return to growth in revenues as the scripted and unscripted TV business ramps up. Over 1,200 half hours of TV are expected to be produced or acquired in FY20, up from 1,142 in FY19, with around 35% already committed or greenlit.

The group expects to have a theatrical release of around 50 unique films, moving towards a run rate of 35–40, with a growing proportion stemming from eOne’s own productions.

The acquisition of Audio Network looks to be mutually beneficial, bringing scale and operating synergies as well as revenue opportunities, for example from using Audio Network’s library assets. The proprietary publishing platform that it has brought to the group also has potentially wider application.

Exhibit 1: KPI summary

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020e

FT&M - Investment in acquired content (£m)

165.9

119.9

180.5

144.5

121.9

85.0

FT&M - Investment in Productions (£m)

113.0

92.8

222.3

287.8

252.3

458.0

Family & Brands - investment in content and production (£m)

1.9

5.8

5.3

9.6

13.5

10.0

Total content and production investment (£m)

280.8

218.5

408.1

441.9

387.7

553.0

% in own productions

40%

42%

54%

65%

65%

83%

Half hours produced/ acquired (Television)

752

998

1023

939

1142

>1200

No. Theatrical releases

227

210

172

144

No. unique Theatrical releases

162

175

102

85

57

50

B. O per release

1.4

1.2

2

1.4

Box office (£m)

308

259

337

208

Family licences

600

847

1,083

1,500

>1,600

c1,800

Family retail sales ($bn)

1

1.1

1.5

2.4

% pipeline green lit - TV

61%

60%

40%

Library valuation ($bn)

0.8

1.5

1.7

2.0

Revenues

FT&M (£m)

729

741.2

996.8

911.1

788.4

979.4

Growth

2%

34%

-9%

-13%

24%

Family (£m)

60.8

66.6

88.6

123.9

158.5

177.5

Growth

10%

33%

40%

28%

12%

Inter company (£m)

(4.0)

(5.1)

(2.7)

(6.0)

(5.7)

(7.0)

Group revenues (£m)

785.8

802.7

1,082.7

1,029

941.2

1,150.0

Revenue growth

2%

35%

-5%

-9%

22%

EBITDA

FT&M EBITDA (£m)

90.9

92

115.5

105.9

115.2

146.0

FT&M EBITDA margin

12.5%

12.4%

11.6%

11.6%

14.6%

14.9%

Family EBITDA (£m)

23.8

43.3

55.6

71

97.0

105.0

Family EBITDA margin

39.1%

65.0%

62.8%

57.3%

61.2%

59.2%

Intercompany eliminations (£m)

(7.4)

(6.2)

(10.9)

(13.3)

(14.6)

(16.0)

Group EBITDA (£m)

107.3

129.1

160.2

163.6

197.6

235.0

Group EBITDA margin

13.7%

16.1%

14.8%

15.9%

21.0%

20.4%

Source: Company accounts FY15-19, Edison Investment Research. Note: ^Company guidance for FY20e.

Change in estimates

The FY19 results to March have come in broadly in line with the market (and our) forecasts. We have revisited our forecasts in light of the statement and we have also incorporated the Audio Network acquisition, which completed after the year end. FY20e figures will be reported under IFRS 16 and our new estimates also now reflect the impact of that accounting standard, which we anticipate will lift group EBITDA by around £9m. This will be countered by an increase in depreciation of a similar amount. There will also be a rise of around £2.5m in interest costs

The additional shares issued in the placing accompanying the acquisition, plus those taken by vendor management, as well as shares issued as a result of the exercise of options, results in a trimming of the EPS figures, despite the higher EBITDA and PBT estimates.

Exhibit 2: Revisions to forecasts

Year end March

EPS (p)

PBT (£m)

EBITDA (£m)

Old

New

% chg.

Old

New

% chg.

Old

New

% chg.

2019

24.5

25.0

+4

159.5

160

-

195.0

197.6

+1

2020e

27.9

26.0

-7

183.0

192.0

+5

215.0

235.0

+9

2021e

30.5

27.3

-10

200.5

214.2

+7

236.0

260.5

+10

Source: Company accounts, Edison Investment Research. Note: FY19 ‘Old’ = prior estimate, ’New’ = actual.

Management guidance is for a net debt: EBITDA ratio of 1.6x, including the impact of Audio Network and the changes from the application of IFRS16. This compares to the FY18 leverage of 1.7x, which was itself slightly better than earlier guidance.

Underlying free cash flow for FY19 was positive at £12.4m, reflecting the improvement in underlying EBITDA. Our modelling suggests a further good step up in FY20e with the growth in EBITDA to around the £35m level.

Valuation

As previously, we have separated out the Film & TV and Family & Brands valuations for our peer-based SOTP analysis. This derives a combined valuation of 475p/share based on an average of FY20e and FY21e EV/EBITDA multiples, which is around 3% above the current market price and an increase of 8% from our 440p/share valuation at the time of our update note in April. This reflects our higher earnings estimates for eOne and increase in the peer group multiples for FY20 and the newly-available multiples for FY21. When we carried out this exercise in April, Family stocks were on 12.6x FY20e EV/EBITDA (now 13.1x), while Film & TV multiples have increased from 11.4x to 12.4x.

Exhibit 3: Peer multiple SOTP valuation

2020e

2021e

FTD - EBITDA (£m)

146

159

Family - EBITDA (£m)

105

117

Group costs (£m)

(16)

(16)

Multiples:

FTD multiple (x)

12

11

Family multiple (x)

13

12

Average (x)

13

11

EV:

FTD (£m)

1,814

1,697

Family (£m)

1,370

1,440

Group costs (£m)

(204)

(184)

Total EV (£m)

2,980

2,953

Minorities (£m)

(179)

(177)

Corporate debt (£m)

376

315

Implied equity value (£m)

2,425

2,461

Shares in issue (m)

516

516

Implied value per share (p)

471

478

Implied value if production finance is also treated as debt (p)

449

456

Source: Edison Investment Research

Exhibit 4: Financial summary

£m

2017

2018

2019

2020e

2021e

Year end 31 March

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

PROFIT & LOSS

Revenue

1,082.7

1,029.0

941.2

1,150.0

1,250.0

Cost of Sales

(822.9)

(731.8)

(617.4)

(759.0)

(825.0)

Gross Profit

259.8

297.2

323.8

391.0

425.0

EBITDA

160.2

163.6

197.6

235.0

260.5

Operating Profit (before amort. and except.)

155.3

160.0

193.9

231.0

256.2

Amortisation of intangibles

(41.9)

(39.6)

(39.0)

(36.2)

(36.2)

Exceptional items

(40.8)

(7.1)

(68.0)

(10.0)

0.0

Share based payment charge

(5.0)

(12.6)

(16.2)

(16.2)

(16.2)

JV tax, finance costs, dep'n

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Operating Profit

67.6

100.7

70.7

168.6

203.8

Net Interest

(25.4)

(35.8)

(33.9)

(39.0)

(42.0)

Exceptional finance items

(6.3)

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

129.9

124.2

160.0

192.0

214.2

Profit Before Tax (FRS 3)

35.9

64.9

36.8

129.6

161.8

Tax (reported)

(12.3)

3.9

(21.5)

(28.5)

(35.6)

Tax (adjustment for normalised earnings)

(14.8)

(28.5)

(13.7)

(20.4)

(16.9)

Profit After Tax (before non-controlling interests) (norm)

102.8

99.6

124.8

143.1

161.7

Profit After Tax (before non-controlling interests) (FRS3)

23.6

68.8

15.3

101.1

126.2

Non-controlling interests

(11.9)

(14.9)

(3.6)

(9.0)

(9.3)

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

432.7

447.6

473.6

515.7

558.0

EPS - normalised, fully diluted (p)

20.0

19.3

25.0

26.0

27.3

EPS - FRS 3 (p)

2.7

12.4

2.5

18.2

21.4

Dividend per share (p)

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.8

Gross Margin (%)

24.0

28.9

34.4

34.0

34.0

EBITDA Margin (%)

14.8

15.9

21.0

20.4

20.8

Operating Margin (before GW and except) (%)

14.3

15.5

20.6

20.1

20.5

BALANCE SHEET

Non-current Assets

1,019.0

953.1

975.4

1,209.4

1,221.4

Intangible Assets (incl Investment in programmes)

909.9

830.2

876.9

1,109.6

1,120.4

Tangible Assets

72.8

87.6

59.8

60.8

61.5

Deferred tax/Investments

36.3

35.3

38.7

39.0

39.5

Current Assets

884.1

851.6

933.4

917.5

979.5

Stocks

48.6

39.6

11.7

11.7

11.7

Investment in content rights

265.5

248.0

254.0

247.7

248.3

Debtors

436.6

444.8

553.3

608.1

668.5

Cash

133.4

119.2

114.4

50.0

51.0

Current Liabilities

(726.8)

(615.3)

(636.2)

(697.3)

(655.3)

Creditors

(726.3)

(614.9)

(635.3)

(645.3)

(655.3)

Short term borrowings

(0.5)

(0.4)

(0.9)

(52.0)

0.0

Long Term Liabilities

(456.9)

(523.3)

(557.9)

(654.6)

(590.8)

Long term borrowings

(276.6)

(375.2)

(399.2)

(606.1)

(542.3)

Other long term liabilities

(180.3)

(148.1)

(158.7)

(48.5)

(48.5)

Net Assets

719.4

666.1

714.7

775.0

954.7

CASH FLOW

Operating Cash Flow

276.7

471.6

430.6

521.5

770.5

Net Interest

(24.3)

(26.9)

(37.3)

(39.0)

(42.0)

Tax

(18.4)

(32.5)

(25.8)

(28.5)

(35.6)

Capex

(3.5)

(3.2)

(5.0)

(5.0)

(4.0)

Acquisitions/disposals

(9.6)

(118.5)

(11.7)

(178.8)

0.0

Investment in content rights and TV programmes

(181.3)

(437.4)

(380.6)

(553.0)

(608.0)

Proceeds on issue of shares

(19.2)

52.0

0.1

137.3

0.0

Dividends

(8.3)

(13.0)

(13.4)

(14.7)

(16.2)

Net Cash Flow

12.1

(107.9)

(43.1)

(160.2)

64.7

Opening net debt/(cash)

298.8

338.8

433.2

481.6

641.8

Movements in exchangeable notes

0.0

14.5

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other including forex

(52.1)

(1.0)

(5.3)

0.0

(0.0)

Closing net debt/(cash)

338.8

433.2

481.6

641.8

577.1

ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT

Production finance

196.0

176.8

195.9

271.1

267.5

Net debt

142.8

256.4

285.7

370.8

309.6

Gearing

0.9

1.6

1.4

1.6

1.2

Source: Company accounts, Edison Investment Research

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Entertainment One and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Entertainment One. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 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 Edison analyst 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 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “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.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 427484). 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.

New Zealand

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.

United Kingdom

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

United States

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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

1,185 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

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

1,185 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

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Entertainment One and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Entertainment One. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 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 Edison analyst 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 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “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.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 427484). 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.

New Zealand

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.

United Kingdom

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

United States

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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

1,185 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

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

1,185 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: Investment Companies

Vietnam Enterprise Investments — Long-established expertise in Vietnam

Vietnam Enterprise Investments (VEIL) was launched in 1995 and is the largest closed-ended fund focused on Vietnam. In July 2017, it became a member of the FTSE 250. VEIL aims to generate long-term capital growth by following a bottom-up approach, unconstrained by the benchmark, to find high quality companies that are attractively valued. Although the fund’s NAV total return has lagged the VN Index over one year, VEIL has a strong longer-term performance track record, delivering annualised NAV growth of c 26% and 20% over three and five years respectively. The manager believes sustained economic growth in Vietnam offers exciting long-term investment opportunities and valuations are now more reasonable following a sharp correction in the VN Index in 2018.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

Get access to the very latest content matched to your personal investment style.

Sign up for free