HgT — Transaction activity picked up in 2024

HgT (LSE: HGT)

Last close As at 31/01/2025

GBP5.22

4.00 (0.77%)

Market capitalisation

GBP2,390m

More on this equity

Research: Investment Companies

HgT — Transaction activity picked up in 2024

HgT reported a robust 10.1% preliminary NAV total return (TR) in FY24 (of which 4.4% in Q424), which the company highlighted was primarily driven by the strong trading performance of the underlying portfolio (in line with HgT’s long-term track record). The last-twelve-month revenue and EBITDA growth across its top 20 holdings (making up 76% of its portfolio) to end-November 2024 stood at 19% and 22%, respectively. We note that HgT’s NAV TR reflects some fx headwinds from the strengthening of sterling against the euro by close to 5% in 2024. The trust’s share price TR was even stronger than the NAV TR at 25.7%, resulting in the shares trading at a slight premium to NAV at end-2024. HgT’s portfolio valuations continue to be validated by uplifts to prior carrying values upon full and partial realisations, which in 2024 stood at an average of 15%. We also note that HgT’s manager delivered a considerable volume of liquidity events in 2024, which translated into £505m of gross proceeds from exits and refinancings to HgT (around 22% of the trust’s opening NAV), some of which were reinvested in the same companies.

Milosz Papst

Written by

Milosz Papst

Director of Content, Investment Trusts

Investment companies

Private equity funds/TMT

3 February 2025

Price 522.00p
Market cap £2,389m
NAV £2,386.0
Discount to NAV 1.0%
Current yield 1.3%
Shares in issue 457.7m
Code/ISIN HGT/GB00BJ0LT190
Primary exchange LSE
AIC sector Private equity
52-week high/low 549.0p 402.4p
NAV high/low 524.0p 500.5p
Net gearing 0.0%

Fund objective

HgT’s investment objective is to provide shareholders with consistent long-term returns in excess of the UK All-Share Index by investing predominantly in unquoted companies where value can be created through strategic and operational change.

Analysts

Milosz Papst
+44 (0)20 3077 5700
Katherine Thompson
+44 (0)20 3077 5700

HgT is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

HgT’s balance sheet remains sound with £441m of available liquid resources at end-2024 (on a pro-forma basis), including the £326m undrawn part of its £375m credit facility. This translates into a very high 69% coverage of all its outstanding investment commitments, which are expected to be drawn over the next two to three years. HgT saw a notable pick-up in investment activity, with £601m invested in new and follow-in investments (including refinancings) in 2024. Its most recent new investment is Empyrean Solutions, a provider of risk and performance management software for financial institutions, in which HgT invested c £11.7m.

In Q125, the trust expects to complete the recapitalisation of Citation group (a provider of tech-enabled compliance and certification solutions to SMEs) announced in December 2024, as part of which HarbourVest Partners will become a new shareholder of the company. The transaction values HgT’s holding 8% above its end-September 2024 carrying value and will result in c £13m of net proceeds.

We note that investor sentiment across listed software equities (including SaaS businesses) has improved recently. The BVP Emerging Cloud Index appreciated by c 18% in Q424 (likely on the back of the ‘Trump trade’), closing part of the performance gap to the NASDAQ index seen in 9M24 and bringing its 2024 return to close to 7%. The median forward revenue multiple for the index expanded from 5.4x at end-September 2024 to 6.0x at end-December 2024 (and to 6.6x as of end-January 2025). Similarly, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (tracking 100 US tech companies, mostly software businesses) posted a c 12% return in Q424 (and 23.4% overall in 2024).

NOT INTENDED FOR PERSONS IN THE EEA

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by HgT and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by HgT. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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 2025 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 sol icitation 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.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

More on HgT

View All

Investment Companies

HgT — Transaction activity picked up in 2024

Investment Companies

HgT — Steady earnings growth, stable market multiples

Investment Companies

HgT — Consistent returns from private tech businesses

Investment Companies

HgT — Preliminary H124 NAV total return of 5.6%

Latest from the Investment Companies sector

View All Investment Companies content

Research: Healthcare

IRLAB Therapeutics — Phase I data supports IRL757’s development

IRLAB Therapeutics has reported positive top-line data from one of the two ongoing Phase I clinical trials evaluating its third clinical-stage asset, IRL757, as a potential treatment for apathy. This update corresponds to the study in healthy older adults (>65 years) being conducted in collaboration with the McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development (MSRD), and the results demonstrate that the candidate can be sufficiently absorbed, providing good exposure in the body. Furthermore, all participants completed the study with no reports of serious adverse events, an encouraging indicator that IRL757 may proceed to the next stages of clinical development, in our view. The second Phase I trial, which is funded by the Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF), is focused on younger healthy participants and is anticipated to conclude within H125.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

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

Sign up for free