Nanoco — Year of steady progress

Nanoco Group (LSE: NANO)

Last close As at 20/12/2024

GBP0.14

−0.02 (−0.14%)

Market capitalisation

GBP27m

More on this equity

Research: TMT

Nanoco — Year of steady progress

Nanoco made progress against its stated objectives during FY21. It delivered all the technical milestones for its major European customer, won a new Asian chemicals customer for novel materials in sensing applications and extended its product and customer portfolio of nanomaterials for use in infrared sensing applications to five customers and eight different materials. It also made good progress in its legal action against Samsung for wilful infringement of its IP, with a positive outcome of the claim construction (Markman) hearing. We place our estimates under review while we adjust costs in line with recent management guidance.

Analyst avatar placeholder

Written by

TMT

Nanoco Group

Year of steady progress

FY21 results

Tech hardware & equipment

4 November 2021

Price

21p

Market cap

£64m

Net cash (£m) at end July 2021 (including £0.5m convertible loan and excluding £0.7m lease liabilities)

0.3

Shares in issue

305.7m

Free float

71.5%

Code

NANO

Primary exchange

LSE

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Nanoco Group is a global leader in the development and manufacture of cadmium-free quantum dots and other nanomaterials. Its platform includes c 560 patents and specialist manufacturing lines. Focus applications are advanced electronics, displays and bio-imaging.

Analysts

Anne Margaret Crow

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Nanoco Group is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Nanoco made progress against its stated objectives during FY21. It delivered all the technical milestones for its major European customer, won a new Asian chemicals customer for novel materials in sensing applications and extended its product and customer portfolio of nanomaterials for use in infrared sensing applications to five customers and eight different materials. It also made good progress in its legal action against Samsung for wilful infringement of its IP, with a positive outcome of the claim construction (Markman) hearing. We place our estimates under review while we adjust costs in line with recent management guidance.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

EBITDA

(£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

07/19

7.1

(3.8)

(5.0)

(1.34)

0.00

N/A

07/20**

3.9

(2.9)

(4.9)

(1.39)

0.00

N/A

07/21

2.1

(2.9)

(4.7)

(1.30)

0.00

N/A

07/22e

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

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

FY21 revenue totalled £2.1m, slightly ahead of our £1.9m estimate. £1.6m was attributable to the major European customer. This was substantially lower than the £3.9m achieved in FY20, which benefited from £2.5m of revenues attributable to the final phase of the joint programme with the major US customer. Nevertheless, EBITDA losses were stable at £2.9m (slightly higher than our £2.6m estimate) because of the substantial cost savings resulting from a programme restructuring the business around core competencies of R&D, scale up and production.

Free cash outflow totalled £3.7m, which was partly offset by the non-dilutive subscription for loan notes in July by major shareholders raising £3.0m (net). Since gross monthly cash costs have been cut to c £0.4m, and cash at the end of FY21 was £3.8m, management estimates that the loan-notes have extended the cash runway for organic business activities to calendar H222, at which point there should be good visibility of potential production orders. The initial result of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the verdict from the re-scheduled trial in the patent litigation against Samsung are both expected during calendar 2022, so the cash runway maintains both potential sources of value for shareholders.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Nanoco Group and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Nanoco Group. 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: Copyright 2021 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 Nanoco Group

View All

Latest from the TMT sector

View All TMT content

Research: Real Estate

Channel Islands Property Fund — Income is the name of the game

Channel Islands Property Fund (CIPF) has proved a resilient investment since its launch in 2010 and remains an attractive income-generating investment. Its defensive characteristics were highlighted during the pandemic when 100% of anticipated rent was received throughout the period. This regular and predictable revenue stream allowed it to declare and distribute its ongoing quarterly dividend of 1.65p/share, arguably justifying its 5.3% premium to NAV. It currently yields 6.5%, which is attractive and exceeds the dividend yields available on many other multi-let property investment funds.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

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

Sign up for free