CT Private Equity Trust Discount To NAV Widens To 33.2%

In its Q3 results today (24 November), the trust reported NAV of 693.3 pence per ordinary share, reflecting a 3.3% return for the quarter and 0.9% return for the first nine months of the year.

Share price total return for the three-month period stood at 0.4%.

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CTPE noted the pound has been weaker against most major currencies in Q3, which had increased its NAV by around 1.3%. However, it noted there has been minimal impact of currency in the year to date.

The trust also revealed that a 7.01p dividend will be paid to shareholders on 31 January 2024, following the dividend payments of 7.01p on 31 October and 6.95p on 31 July 2023.

Net debt stood at £74.5m as of 30 September, with outstanding undrawn commitments of £215m, of which £27m was to funds where the investment period was expired.

Over Q3, CTPE made three new investment commitments to funds and two co-investments, it noted.

These included CAD$10m (£5.8m) committed to Canadian mid-market buyout funds Torquest VI; £10m to Inflexion Partnership Capital III; and $5m to US consumer franchise co-investment fund Purpose Brands.

On the co-investment front, the trust invested €5.2m in an unnamed industrial internet-of-things software company and €6m in German cybersecurity and data intelligence solutions provider Utimaco.

The three months to 30 September 2023 also saw several realisations, despite a "slowdown in exits", it said.

CTPE completed the sell down of energy services firm Ashtead Technology - which is now listed - realising £5.5m, bringing total net proceeds to £20m.

It also exited the Agilitas 2015 fund with the sale of water services company Hydro International to CRH, realising £2.1m. ArchiMed II returned £1m to the trust from the sale of gene therapy company Polyplus.

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There were also some exits from co-investments, the trust said, including around £700,000 from the sale of the Inflexion 2012 Co-investment fund and £500,000 from Nordic sustainable fund Summa II.

CTPE also noted there were several valuation movements over Q3, mostly upwards and spread out between funds and co-investments in its portfolio, with the largest uplift brought by Italian investment company Aliante Equity 3, up £3.1m.

Looking ahead, Hamish Mair, investment manager of the trust, said the private equity sector internationally has gone through an "adjustment phase" this year, noting the high interest rate and inflationary environment, with "sluggish growth" or mild recession in most of the trust's target markets.

He said: "The banking environment is somewhat tighter than previously and some highly rated sectors no longer command very high prices unconditionally. The international environment is volatile with the external shock risk elevated. It is therefore taking longer for deals to be confirmed with buyers and sellers starting off with differing price expectations.

"That all said, business confidence is robust and there remain healthy levels of turnover in private companies. Our dealflow of investable companies is excellent. The exit boom of recent years is now past and we are returning to more 'normal' conditions.

"The company's portfolio is fundamentally sound, conservatively valued and deriving strength through its comprehensive diversification whilst having plenty of meaningful holdings in companies with potential for superior returns. As we approach the end of 2023 the prospects for further returns for shareholders in line with our long-term growth trend is good."

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