Primary Health Properties — Management internalisation

Primary Health Properties (LSE: PHP)

Last close As at 20/12/2024

GBP0.91

−1.45 (−1.57%)

Market capitalisation

GBP1,213m

More on this equity

Research: Real Estate

Primary Health Properties — Management internalisation

PHP has announced plans to internalise its management structure by acquiring its investment adviser since launch, Nexus Tradeco. The board believes there are a number of compelling financial and strategic benefits to the proposed transaction, including c £4.0m in annual cost savings and enhanced EPS/dividend paying capacity, and securing a well-regarded management team and fully operational management platform. This includes the services of Harry Hyman as CEO of PHP, consistent with the commitment he made at the time of the MedicX merger.

Martyn King

Written by

Martyn King

Director, Financials

Real Estate

Primary Health Properties

Management internalisation

Company update

Real estate

11 December 2020

Price

142p

Market cap

£1,868m

Net debt at 30 June 2020

1,150.3

Net LTV at 30 June 2020*

45.8%

*Pro-forma 40.3% adjusted for July capital raise

Shares in issue

1,315.6m

Free float

97%

Code

PHP

Primary exchange

LSE

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Primary Health Properties is a long-term investor in primary healthcare property in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Assets are mainly long-let to GPs and the NHS or HSE, organisations backed by the UK and Irish governments, respectively. The tenant profile and long average lease duration provide an exceptionally secure rental income stream.

Analyst

Martyn King

+44 (0)20 3077 5745

Primary Health Properties is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

PHP has announced plans to internalise its management structure by acquiring its investment adviser since launch, Nexus Tradeco. The board believes there are a number of compelling financial and strategic benefits to the proposed transaction, including c £4.0m in annual cost savings and enhanced EPS/dividend paying capacity, and securing a well-regarded management team and fully operational management platform. This includes the services of Harry Hyman as CEO of PHP, consistent with the commitment he made at the time of the MedicX merger.

Year end

Net rental income (£m)

Adj. EPRA earnings* (£m)

Adj. EPRA EPS** (p)

Adj. EPRA*** NTA/share (p)

DPS
(p)

P/NTA
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/18

76.4

36.8

5.2

105.1

5.40

1.35

3.8

12/19

115.7

59.7

5.4

107.9

5.60

1.32

3.9

12/20e

131.7

73.2

5.7

113.2

5.90

1.25

4.2

12/21e

138.6

77.5

5.8

116.5

6.10

1.22

4.3

Note: *Excludes valuation movements, amortisation of fair value adjustment to acquired debt, and other exceptional items. **Fully diluted. ***Net tangible assets; adjusts for fair value of derivative interest rate contracts and convertible bond, deferred tax, and fair value adjustment on acquired debt.

PHP has conditionally agreed to acquire its investment adviser, Nexus Tradeco, and certain other activities, including the Nexus primary care development business. Nexus has been investment adviser since PHP’s formation in 1995 and has built a proven record of successful investment in the sector, delivering 24 years of unbroken dividend growth. The consideration is £33.1m (subject to a completion net asset adjustment); £16.55m in cash and the balance by the issue of c 11.5m new shares at 144.1p. PHP is anticipating annual cost savings of c £4.0m pa, which if applied to our FY21 estimates is more than 4% accretive to adjusted EPRA EPS, enhancing DPS capacity. The de-linking of administrative costs from gross asset value will also allow shareholders to benefit fully from the expected future portfolio growth. We will revise our estimates after the transaction completes.

There is evidence of momentum growing in the NHS for the approval of new medical centre developments and bringing the Nexus development team and pipeline in-house seems well timed, allowing PHP to bring forward future developments using its own strongly capitalised balance sheet.

We believe the internalisation is likely to broaden investor interest in the company, which already benefits from substantial growth, including from the MedicX merger completed in March 2019. We also believe investors will strongly welcome Mr Hyman’s continuing commitment to the group for at least five years from the MedicX merger.

A circular in connection with the acquisition will be published shortly and a general meeting of shareholders on 4 January 2021 will be asked to approve certain matters necessary to implement the transaction.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Primary Health Properties and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Primary Health Properties. 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 research department of Edison 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 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). 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

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

1185 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

More on Primary Health Properties

View All

Latest from the Real Estate sector

View All Real Estate content

Research: Investment Companies

Fidelity China Special Situations — Domestic trends drive sustained outperformance

Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) aims to deliver long-term capital growth from a portfolio of stocks listed mainly in China and Chinese companies listed abroad. Manager Dale Nicholls focuses on consumer-led sectors, which have the greatest exposure to China’s growth prospects and he sees many great investment opportunities, especially among lesser-known, smaller-cap stocks and unlisted companies. Nicholls believes these businesses are driving innovation and change but are often undervalued. FCSS has delivered significant outright returns and outperformance of its MSCI China benchmark and the UK market since the fund’s inception in 2010.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

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

Sign up for free