18 Jul 2023 12:11
London, UK, 18 July 2023
Edison issues update on abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust
abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust (APEO) posted a 12-month NAV total return (TR) to end-May 2023 of 7.0%, supported by continued strong portfolio earnings momentum (up 28.7% over the 12 months to end-March 2023 for APEO's top 50 holdings). Muted global M&A volumes continue to weigh on private equity (PE) exit activity, with APEO's capital calls in the calendar year to end-May 2023 (£74.0m) outpacing distributions (£54.1m). That said, APEO's undrawn credit facility and cash of £243.4m at end-May 2023 provide it with decent near-term balance sheet headroom, as these cover 35% of APEO's outstanding investment commitments (which should be drawn gradually in the coming years).
APEO offers a quality exposure to the PE mid-market through a portfolio of investments managed by carefully selected, top-tier European general partners (GPs) with solid sector expertise (the 12 'core' GPs make up 57% of APEO's NAV). This high-conviction strategy has proved successful over the mid- to long-term with APEO's five-year and 10-year NAV TR to end-May 2023 at 17% and 15% pa, respectively, ahead of the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index TR of 2.5% and 9.5%, respectively, and broadly in line with its close PE peers. Moreover, its combined 52% exposure to less cyclical sectors such as technology (typically profitable B2B software), healthcare and consumer staples, together with the wide c 39% discount to NAV, may offer some downside protection in the current environment.
Click here to view the full report.
All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website
www.edisongroup.com
About Edison: Edison is a leading research and investor relations consultancy, connecting listed companies to the widest pool of global investors. By focusing on the volume and quality of investors reached - across institutions, family offices, wealth managers and retail investors - Edison can create and gauge intent to purchase, even in the darkest pools of capital, and then make introductions via non-deal roadshows, events or virtual meetings.
Having been the first in-market 17 years ago, Edison now has more than 100 analysts covering every economic sector. Headquartered in London, Edison also has offices in New York, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv and a presence in Athens, Johannesburg and Sydney.
Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison's reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities.
For more information, please contact Edison:
Milosz Papst +44 (0)20 3077 5720 investmenttrusts@edisongroup.com
Learn more at www.edisongroup.com and connect with Edison on:
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/edison-group-/
Twitter www.twitter.com/Edison_Inv_Res
YouTube www.youtube.com/edisonitv