Edison TV | Technology | 29/09/2016
IQE (IQE) is the leading supplier of epitaxial compound semiconductor wafers globally. The principal applications include radio frequency semiconductors, devices for optical networks, vertical cavity lasers, infrared semiconductors, power electronics and CPV solar cells.
In this webcast, Dr Drew Nelson, President and CEO, discusses the key applications driving the strong growth in the company’s Photonics business and whether this growth is sustainable. He also explains the current dynamics in the wireless business and the potential for the company’s CREO technology to reinvigorate wireless growth through extending its presence into filters. He talks through progress in some of IQE’s less-developed markets such as power electronics and CPV solar, before finally discussing the expected cash flow dynamics for the business.
Edison TV | Technology | 29/09/2016
IQE (IQE) is the leading supplier of epitaxial compound semiconductor wafers globally. The principal applications include radio frequency semiconductors, devices for optical networks, vertical cavity lasers, infrared semiconductors, power electronics and CPV solar cells.
In this webcast, Dr Drew Nelson, President and CEO, discusses the key applications driving the strong growth in the company’s Photonics business and whether this growth is sustainable. He also explains the current dynamics in the wireless business and the potential for the company’s CREO technology to reinvigorate wireless growth through extending its presence into filters. He talks through progress in some of IQE’s less-developed markets such as power electronics and CPV solar, before finally discussing the expected cash flow dynamics for the business.
Edison TV | Technology | 21/09/2016
audioboom (BOOM) is the world’s leading spoken-word audio platform for hosting, distributing and monetising content. The platform enables its 4,000+ active content partners, including well-known brands such as the BBC, NBC Sports Radio and Global and Bauer, to create, embed and re-syndicate content across a wide network of channels including all the major online channels such as Google Play, Deezer and Apple Music.
In this interview, audioBoom’s CEO Rob Procter outlines the platform and its services and discusses the $19bn+ market opportunity. He updates on the recent strong performance of the group, which has reported that the number of podcast ‘listens’ has increased by 80% over the last year with revenues increasing six fold. Rob also presents his expectations in terms of ‘monetisable listens’, a KPI that is on track to more than double this year and, he believes, will triple again next year leading to more exponential growth in FY17. He outlines the strategy driving this growth, which includes an increasing focus on the US market, which currently accounts for 70% of listens, as well as a significant upgrade to the platform. The planned acquisition of SONAR, a market-leading NPL and AI ad server, is integral to this and, as well as improving the advertising’s targeting capabilities, should also ensure considerable cost savings as the group continues to scale up.
Edison TV | Pharma & Healthcare | 19/07/2016
ReNeuron (RENE) is a UK clinical-stage biotech company developing allogeneic cell-based therapies. CTX neural stem cells are in development for ischaemic stroke disability (Phase II) and critical limb ischaemia (Phase I) and human retinal progenitor cells (hRPC) are being studied for retinitis pigmentosa (Phase I/II). ReNeuron is one of the pioneers in the field of stem cells, having developed proprietary technology platforms, notably based on the CTX neural stem cell line, derived and immortalised from a single donor cell. It is developing these multipotent adult stem cells specifically for allogeneic administration (as opposed to autologous procedures). The final product can be cryopreserved, stored and transported, with a simple procedure to prepare the cells for injection, so offering a genuine off-the-shelf cell-based therapy. There is a clear clinical and commercial appeal in that rather than addressing the symptoms of a disease, stem cell therapy seeks to address the cause of the condition, to effect repair or reversal of the disease through the regeneration of the affected tissue. ReNeuron is funded (£65.7m in cash at 31 March 2016) to pursue pivotal studies with two cell therapy-based programmes. The company recently relocated to a new research and cell manufacturing facility in South Wales (funded by a £7.8m Welsh government grant).
In this interview, CFO Michael Hunt explains the core technology of its business, the stem cell science it is developing, optimising and harnessing to create therapeutic products. He discusses the expected newsflow resulting from its three clinical studies – CTX neural stem cells in development for ischaemic stroke disability (Phase II) and critical limb ischaemia (Phase I) and hRPC (human retinal progenitor cells) for retinitis pigmentosa (Phase I/II). He also explains how last year’s equity fund-raising proceeds are being deployed and where the business is expected to reach clinically as a result of this. Finally, he also outlines an exciting new additional focus of the company – its emerging exosome nanomedicine programme. This programme uses in-house science assets, but is building out a new modality in a new therapeutic area (oncology).
Edison TV | Fixed Satellite Services | 31/05/2016
Avanti Communications (AVN) is a London-based fixed satellite services (FSS) provider. It sells satellite data communications capacity to service providers to key markets in Enterprise, Broadband, Carrier Services and Government. It has Ka-band capacity on three satellites, with two further launches due in 2017.
In this webcast, Chief Executive and co-founder David Williams reflects on the achievements of the group to date, including the development and commissioning of the first Ka-band satellite network in EMEA. He talks about the progressive development of the number of customers and their increasing quality, as well as the unique capabilities Avanti has developed during its initial phase and is able to offer. He also looks forward to an exciting 2017, with two satellites (HYLAS 3 and HYLAS 4) due to be launched, which should significantly enhance the prospects of the company.
Edison TV | Technology | 24/05/2016
Softcat (SCT) is a UK-based provider of IT infrastructure to the corporate and public sectors, including the products and services needed to design, implement, support and manage these solutions, on premise, in the cloud or both. Softcat has evolved from a software licensing reseller to now offering a broad range of products and services for its customers’ workplace technology, datacentre infrastructure and networking and security requirements. The company listed on the LSE main market in November 2015, raising approximately £153.4m at 240p. In April 2016 it was named the Best Large Workplace in the UK by Great Place to Work.
In this video, CEO Martin Hellawell explains Softcat’s three different lines of business lines: workplace computing , security & networking and datacentre infrastructure. He explains how the company’s recruitment and training policy has been key to its strong growth by enabling the company to differentiate itself through providing superior aftercare services. Mr Hellawell also discusses Softcat’s growth strategy via winning more business from existing customers and the headroom the company has to continue expanding its customer base. He explains why the Softcat’s focus on higher value-added solutions enables it to command higher margins than its peers and how the company intends to redistribute and deploy the cash it generates.
Edison TV | Investment Trusts | 12/05/2016
The Brunner Investment Trust (BUT) was created in 1927, initially to manage the wealth of the Brunner family, one of the founding families of industrial giant ICI. It invests in UK and overseas equities and is managed by Lucy Macdonald and Jeremy Thomas at Allianz Global Investors. Its aim is to achieve long-term growth in capital and income. Dividends are paid quarterly and have risen year-on-year for 43 years. Over recent years the portfolio has become more concentrated, with c 80-85 stocks rather than 100+, and the focus on the UK has been reduced, a move reflected in the change in benchmark in 2008 from 60% UK/40% World ex UK to a 50/50 split. The UK weighting – currently around one-third of the portfolio – could fall further over time as the managers seek to diversify.
In this video, portfolio manager Jeremy Thomas explains why he feels there are still bumps in the road for emerging markets even though some of the macroeconomic factors affecting them have begun to alleviate. He considers the impact of political risk in world markets, particularly the effect of the forthcoming US election on the healthcare sector, which has been a source of strong performance for BUT in recent years. He then outlines how a long-standing trend towards a lower UK weighting is being driven by better dividend growth opportunities overseas, rather than short-lived fears around the EU referendum.
Edison TV | Investment Trusts | 10/05/2016
Launched in 1889, The Merchants Trust (MRCH) has evolved throughout its history into an investment trust seeking a high and growing income from a portfolio of UK equities. It is managed by Simon Gergel, chief investment officer of UK equities at AllianzGI, and is both the largest and the oldest of the trusts managed by AllianzGI. MRCH is differentiated from peers in the UK Equity Income sector by using the FTSE 100 index as a performance benchmark; the trust currently has a slant towards some of the largest stocks in the index, although it also has c 35% of assets invested in companies outside the 100 largest. MRCH is one of the highest-yielding equity investment trusts and has a 34-year record of annual dividend growth.
In this video, portfolio manager Simon Gergel explains how he has taken advantage of opportunities arising from the recent market volatility, adding to favoured stocks on weakness and taking profits in more defensive areas. He reflects on how a mixture of long-term core holdings and shorter-term value opportunities has helped the trust achieve its 34-year record of rising dividends, and looks ahead to the EU referendum and how focusing on companies with good competitive positions globally is key to overcoming uncertainty.
Edison TV | Alternative Energy| 04/05/2016
Ilika (IKA) accelerates the development of new materials for energy, electronics and aerospace applications through its patented, high-throughput techniques that enable functional materials to be made, characterised and tested up to 100 times faster than traditional techniques. In partnership with international, blue-chip companies it has developed a patented methodology for producing solid-state batteries that are lighter, safer, faster to charge and last longer between charges than existing lithium-ion batteries.
In the webcast, CEO Graeme Purdy discusses the micro battery technology that Ilika has just launched, explaining why this technology is particularly suitable for use in internet of things applications and how this will transform sensor design and deployment. He explores the potential for Ilika in this emerging market and how licencing technology IP to partners is the preferred route for optimising return on the IP. Graeme concludes with a discussion of a new project in a different field that is being undertaken with Seagate, the hard disk-drive company, and the University of Southampton.
Edison TV | Consumer | 22/04/2016
Hogg Robinson (HRG) is an international corporate services company, specialising in travel, expenses and data management. It has two divisions: HRG, a global leader in corporate travel management, and Fraedom, a software-as-a-service business that is a leading innovator of payment, expense and travel technology solutions.
In this interview Bill Brindle, Hogg Robinson Group’s CIO, and Kyle Ferguson, Fraedom’s CEO, discuss how and why Hogg Robinson Group created Fraedom, and how they are looking to take advantage of the exciting opportunities in travel, expenses and, most of all, payments management.
Edison TV | Industrials | 18/04/2016
Stadium Group (SDM) is a leading supplier of wireless solutions, power supplies and electronic assemblies, with design and manufacturing operations in the UK and Asia. Half of its revenues are derived from the Technology division, which designs, integrates and manufactures machine-to-machine wireless solutions; designs and manufactures custom and standard power solutions from 1W to 10kW; and designs, integrates and manufactures intelligent human machine interface solutions. The other half is derived from its Electronics Manufacturing Services division, which serves global original equipment manufacturers.
In the webcast, CEO Charlie Peppiatt provides an overview of how management has changed the group from an electronic manufacturing services company to a high-growth technology business and the transformational impact this shift has had on revenue, margin and profit growth. He discusses the investment made in both design and manufacturing capability during FY15 and how it will help drive future growth. Charlie concludes by talking about the key market trends supporting future growth in the Technology divisions and plans for further acquisitions.
Edison TV | Technology | 12/04/2016
Blue Prism (PRSM) provides robotic process automation software for repetitive back-office tasks. These software ‘robots’ are trained to automate manual, rules-based, administrative processes to create a more agile, cost-effective and accurate environment. The group launched a commercial version of its software product in 2008 and spent four years developing it with a number of blue-chip customers, including Barclays Bank, Co-operative Banking Group, Telefónica O2, RWE npower and Shop Direct. The company operates an indirect software licensing sales model and has built an extensive base of partners including Accenture, Cap Gemini and IBM. Licensing accounted for over 75% of group revenues in the year ending October 2015. The company was self-funded until it listed on AIM in March 2016, raising £21.1m to accelerate the expansion of the business, particularly in the US.
It this interview, CEO Alastair Bathgate explains what a software robot is and why this technology has come to the fore so prominently in recent months. He describes the competitive landscape in the field of robotic process automation and Blue Prim’s differentiators in this arena. He explains the company’s business model, why it enables the company to enjoy an exceptionally high contribution of licensing revenue and why cash collection leads revenue recognition. He also highlights what he believes investors should look for in Blue Prism’s first year following its IPO.
Edison TV | Technology | 07/04/2016
Bango (BGO) has developed and operates a payments platform used by app stores to enable customers to pay for digital content and services with one click on their mobile phone. It has partnerships with multiple app stores including Google Play, Amazon and Microsoft Windows Store and mobile network operators such as Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and O2.
In this webcast, CEO Ray Anderson explains how Bango’s payments platform provides a single integration point for mobile network operators to connect to a variety of app stores, with the target of making app store content universally available. He discusses the company’s FY15 results: end-user spend doubled over the year, while the cost base was stable. The platform can handle many times the current transaction volume without any additional investment, highlighting the operational leverage in the business. The focus for 2016 is on driving end-user spend via a combination of new route activations and growth in volumes from recently activated routes. Having raised £11m at the end of 2015, the company believes it has sufficient cash resources to take it through to profitability.
Edison TV | Technology | 07/04/2016
Keywords Studios (KWS) is the number one provider of technical outsourcing services to the video games industry. It provides localisation, testing, artwork and community support services to 19 of the top 25 game developers from its facilities across the globe.
In this webcast, Keywords Studios’ CEO, Andrew Day, adds colour to the group’s strong 2015 annual results. He details the structural drivers that are providing a tailwind for Keywords’ service offering, how the company has achieved a mixture of organic and acquisitive growth to establish a strong market position and what investors can expect from the company.
Edison TV | Telecommunications | 06/04/2016
Cerillion (CER) provides billing, charging and customer management software, primarily to telecommunications operators. The company has approximately 75 customers across 40 countries, including operators such as MTN, Cable & Wireless, Airtel and Manx Telecom, but also non-telecommunications companies such as Guernsey Electricity, Gas Natural Fenosa and Sutton & East Surrey Water. Cerillion listed on London’s AIM market in March 2016. It is profitable, cash generative and intends to pay a dividend of between a third and a half of the group’s free cash flow each year.
In this interview, CEO Louis Hall gives an overview of the company’s solutions and how it competes against much larger players like Amdocs and Oracle. He also talks about the company’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) billing platform, Cerillion Skyline, and how it will spearhead the company’s expansion into other verticals such as finance and utilities. He gives an overview of the company’s criteria for accelerating growth through acquisitions and what investors should expect from Cerillion during its first year as a listed business.
Edison TV | Media & Technology | 06/04/2016
Digital Global Services (DGS) is a performance marketing group, specialising in the delivery of outsourced online and lead generation and acquisition services to large corporates on a performance basis. Companies use DGS to manage online customer acquisition strategies to attract, engage and convert customers for their clients. It does this using paid search, mobile and social media advertising, driving customers to branded web sales portals and to its sales centres, which it owns and manages on behalf of clients. DGS has a strong market position with US cable, where nine of the 10 largest US cable companies acquire subscribers via DGS, and it is now developing its telecoms, satellite and utilities franchise. Founded in 2008, DGS is listed on AIM. It has offices accros the Americas, Asia and Europe, and manages call centres in Pakistan, the Philippines and the US, employing around 725 staff.
In this interview, CEO and founder, Jeff Cox discusses how DGS’s proprietary technology and staff expertise ensures a higher return on advertising investment for its customers than its corporate clients own in house alternatives. He discusses the group’s ‘three pillars of growth’ strategy, which continues to focus on its stronghold in US cable, but which also has led to the group to diversify into new verticals as well as geographically. With the transient disruption caused by proposed merger activity in the US cable sector now behind it, DGS delivered its strongest year to date in FY15 and through its diversification strategy and investment in new social media channels, Cox is optimistic about the year ahead.
Edison TV | Financials | 22/02/2016
Tungsten Corporation (TUNG) offers a secure e-invoicing platform including Tungsten Analytics and Tungsten Early Payment, a form of alternative finance for businesses. Tungsten serves 56% of the Fortune 500 and 67% of the FTSE 100. It enables suppliers to submit tax-compliant e-invoices in 47 countries, and last year processed transactions worth more than $187bn for global companies including Alliance Data, Lufthansa, General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, Henkel, IBM, Kellogg’s and the US Federal Government.
In this webcast, CEO Rick Hurwitz expands on some of the topics from the company’s recent capital markets day, including the measures it is undertaking to promote profitable growth of its e-invoicing business and how it intends to increase volumes of its invoice financing product.
Edison TV | Investment trusts | 18/02/2016
The Brunner Investment Trust (BUT) was created in 1927, initially to manage the wealth of the Brunner family, one of the founding families of industrial giant ICI. It invests in UK and overseas equities and is managed by Lucy Macdonald and Jeremy Thomas at Allianz Global Investors. Its aim is to achieve long-term growth in capital and income. Dividends are paid quarterly and have risen year-on-year for 43 years. Over recent years the portfolio has become more concentrated, with c 80-90 stocks rather than 100+ and the focus on the UK has been reduced, a move reflected in the change in benchmark in 2008 from 60% UK/40% world ex-UK to a 50/50 split. The UK weighting – currently just under 40% – could fall further over time as the managers seek to diversify.
In this webcast, portfolio manager Lucy Macdonald explains how healthcare companies can help the trust to manage market volatility and why it is not too early to begin increasing exposure to Asia, where it is possible to find oversold stocks with good yields and a degree of insulation from macroeconomic worries. She considers the effects of the recent US interest rate rise not just on the other side of the Atlantic but all over the world, and outlines how the European telecom sector’s emergence from a ‘perfect storm’ of competition, negative regulation and a difficult macro environment is leading to opportunities..
Edison TV | Investment trusts | 18/02/2016
Launched in 1889, The Merchants Trust (MRCH) has evolved throughout its history into an investment trust seeking a high and growing income from a portfolio of UK equities. It is managed by Simon Gergel, chief investment officer of UK equities at Allianz Global Investors, and is both the largest and the oldest of the trusts managed by AllianzGI. MRCH is differentiated from peers in the UK Equity Income sector by using the FTSE 100 index as a performance benchmark; the trust currently has a slant towards some of the largest stocks in the index, although it also has c 35% of assets invested in companies outside the 100 largest. MRCH is one of the highest-yielding equity investment trusts and has a 33-year record of annual dividend growth.
In this webcast, portfolio manager Simon Gergel explains how he has taken advantage of recent market volatility by adding to favoured stocks on weakness. He considers the likely impact of the forthcoming EU Brexit referendum on both UK monetary policy and the stock market and reveals that he has been finding compelling value opportunities in the construction and mining sectors. Finally, he considers the importance of dividends to total returns, pointing out the attractions of a 4-5% starting yield in an environment where savings rates could remain close to zero for some time to come.
Edison TV | Construction & Materials| 05/02/2016
Severfield (SFR) is a leading UK designer, fabricator and erector of structural steelwork operating across a broad range of market sectors. An Indian JV facility undertakes structural steelwork projects for the local market and is fully operational.
Chief executive Ian Lawson reaffirms the company is on track to meet 2016 margin targets established in 2013, and explains why the medium-term range is expected to be better. He also identifies some of the leading sector opportunities, giving examples of steps Severfield has taken to take advantage of them. The company believes an improvement in the Indian economy stimulated by government actions will allow its JV operation there to achieve consistent profitability. Lastly, Ian provides an insight into the group-wide cultural change that is underway.
Edison TV | Media | 26/01/2016
7digital (7DIG) provides white-label solutions that enable businesses to provide next-generation digital music services to their customers. Its platform provides the infrastructure that supports high resolution audio download and streaming services, together with the rights to more than 40 million music tracks and curation expertise to enable businesses to offer comprehensive digital music services to their clients. As well as providing these B2B services, 7digital runs its own online music shop and provides music radio programming for broadcasters including the BBC. Its global customer base comprises leading consumer brands, mobile carriers, broadcasters, car manufacturers and retailers including Panasonic, Onkyo, ROK Mobile, eMusic and Electric Jukebox. The company was founded in 2004, listed on AIM in 2015 following the merger with radio group UBC and now employs c 125 FTEs through its offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Manchester and Auckland.
In this webcast, CEO Simon Cole explains how by providing a white-label B2B service to manufacturers and retailers, 7digital is targeting the “passive massive” – the 92% of the music market that does not yet have a digital music service, and for financial, technological or other reasons is unlikely to follow the early adopters to the existing major consumer subscription services, such as Apple and Spotify, but which will chose to go digital in a different way – a market that is estimated to be worth $0.25bn over the next three years. Cole believes that 7digital is in a strong position to capture a growing share of this market, and its recent trading update, which points to a strong pipeline and growing monthly recurring revenues, demonstrates the group’s progress. In addition, he outlines the rationale behind the proposed acquisition of French peer, Snowite, which adds reach and significant synergy opportunities in a consolidating global market.
Edison TV | Alternative Energy| 19/01/2016
Ilika (IKA) accelerates the development of new materials for energy, electronics and aerospace applications through the use of its patented, high-throughput techniques that enable functional materials to be made, characterised and tested up to 100 times faster than traditional techniques. In partnership with international, blue-chip companies, it has developed a patented methodology for the production of solid-state batteries that are lighter, safer, faster to charge and last longer between charges than existing lithium-ion batteries.
In the webcast, CEO Graeme Purdy provides an overview of the opportunities for the solid-state battery technology and the scale of these potential applications. He discusses the advantages of Ilika’s patented technology versus the competition and outlines the timetable for commercial deployment and the major milestones that investors should seek that would demonstrate that the company is on track to achieve these. Graeme concludes with a summary of other activities that have the potential to deliver material profits in the medium term and a comment on future cash requirements.
Bloomberg | Financial Markets | 15/01/2016
Beaufort Chief Investment Strategist Michael Franklin discusses the volatility in the markets and his outlook for commodities. He speaks on “Bloomberg Markets.” (Source: Bloomberg) – 15/01/2016
Beaufort Securities | Gold, Bears & Traders | 17/12/2015
Investment Manager, Graeme Hatch presenting to delegates at the Gold, Bears & Traders Exhibition, QEII Centre Westminster on Saturday 28th November 2015.
Edison TV | Pharmaceutical & Healthcare | 25/11/2015
Tissue Regenix (TRX) is a Yorkshire, UK-based company developing and commercialising medical devices for regeneration of soft tissue, based on its patented decellularisation technology dCELL. It operates across wound care, orthopaedics/sports medicine and cardiovascular sectors and already benefits from extensive reimbursement coverage for its wound care products in the US.
In this webcast, CEO Antony Odell discusses the company history and details its key areas of focus: wound care, orthopaedics and the cardiac sector. He talks about its core technology, dCELL, and discusses the recent launch of its wound care product, DemaPure, in the US. He concludes by talking about the competitive landscape and expected company developments in the UK and Europe over the next year.
Edison TV | Aerospace & Defence | 25/11/2015
Avon Rubber (AVON) designs, develops and manufactures products in the respiratory protection, defence (74% of 2015 sales) and dairy (26%) sectors. Its major contracts are with national security and safety organisations such as the DoD.
In this webcast, Interim CEO Andrew Lewis explains how Avon Rubber’s consistent strategy has delivered another strong set of results. He also details the future growth drivers across the portfolio, as well as the impact of the strategically important acquisition of InterPuls on Avon’s Dairy positioning as a leader in milking point technologies. Andrew concludes by talking about the arrival of new CEO Rob Rennie in December.
Edison TV | Technology | 23/11/2015
Taptica (TAP) is a mobile advertising company headquartered in Israel with offices in San Francisco, New York, Boston and Beijing. Taptica trades on the London Stock Exchange (AIM: TAP). It operates an end-to-end mobile advertising platform that helps brands reach their users from a wide range of mobile traffic sources, using a range of formats including video, social, native, and display. Its proprietary technology leverages big data and machine learning, which enables data-focused marketing solutions at scale. It works with more than 450 advertisers including Amazon, Disney, Facebook, Twitter, OpenTable, Expedia, Lyft and Zynga.
In this video interview, CEO Hagai Tal discusses Taptica’s success in the mobile advertising market and continued expansion in the sector. He discusses how the platform and solutions add value to customers and the company’s response to the industry shift from display to mobile advertising. Additionally, he details the successful acquisition of AreaOne, a social marketing company that has enaabled the company’s expansion in the global market. Hagai concludes by outlining the challenges and outlook ahead for investors, including the successful partnership with MNG..
Edison TV | Investment Trusts | 09/11/2015
The Brunner Investment Trust (BUT) blends UK and international equities to provide what it describes as a ‘one-stop’ investment solution for investors seeking growth and income from a portfolio of shares. The managers select stocks on a bottom-up basis; the Trust is actively managed and differs markedly from the benchmark at the country, sector and stock level. BUT has recently declared its 43rd annual dividend increase in a row, and currently yields 2.8% with dividends paid quarterly.
In this webcast, Portfolio Manager Jeremy Thomas talks about the ways in which stock selection has driven the performance of the Trust amid the recent sell-off. He expands on the benefits of Brunner’s low exposure to Asia Pacific in the current climate, and how the Trust’s low weighting in Oils and Materials has helped recent performance. Jeremy discusses recent changes that have been made to Brunner’s portfolio weightings, and the outlook for the Trust’s dividend payment, which has grown consecutively for the past 43 years..
Edison TV | Investments | 09/11/2015
The Merhcants Trust (MRCH) is a concentrated portfolio of predominantly larger UK companies, with a focus on producing a high income along with capital and income growth. It is benchmarked against the FTSE 100 index, but approximately one-third of the portfolio holdings are outside the index. Stock selection is mainly bottom-up, but manager Simon Gergel assigns holdings to broad themes including mega-caps and turnaround situations.
In this webcast, Trust Manager Simon Gergel discusses the current portfolio, detailing the Trust’s recent move into UK banks, and the improvement that he believes the UK will see in the banking sector over the next couple of years. Simon talks about the ways in which the Trust has recognised the recent sell-off as an opportunity, and the recovery that we are seeing in the UK and US economies. He concludes by talking about where he sees both the biggest opportunities for, as well as the biggest risks to, investors over the coming year.
Tip TV | Technical Analysis | 06/11/2015
Ron Faulkner, Stockbroker at Beaufort Securities discuss 3 stock tips and the upcoming Santa Rally Investor Seminar (3rd December 2015) with Nick Batsford and Zak Mir on TipTV.co.uk – 06/11/2015 Sign-up to attend our Trading the Santa Rally Investor Seminar at our London office on Thursday, 3rd December 2015 here.
Edison TV | Technology | 03/10/2015
Regeneris (RGS) is a UK group that provides a range of lifecycle support services and technologies designed to help companies and their customers successfully deploy, protect, sustain, retire and reuse digital technology. The company operates under two key areas: Digital Security Software, which is built around the Blancco data erasure software business and technologies, and Aftermarket Services.
In this Executive Interview, CFO Jog Dhody discusses Regenersis’s strategic review of the Aftermarket Services business, the positive response to the news of its potential disposal and the distribution of proceeds to its shareholders. Jog also discusses the appointment of Pat Clawson as Blancco’s CEO. Pat joins the interview to detail some of the changes he has made since joining the company. He discusses the company’s role in the sector, the benefits of acquiring a US headquarter base and purchasing Tabernus. He also considers the changes in the industry, including the Cloud and the growing importance of solid state drives. Pat concludes by discussing Blancco’s outlook, milestones and the challenges ahead.
Edison TV | Application Software | 30/10/2015
WANdisco (WAND) is a distributed computing company. It has applied its proprietary replication technology to open-source tools to claim a strong position in the software version control market and is now establishing a promising position in the big data infrastructure market.
In this executive interview, founder and CEO David Richards discusses the evolution to the big data supply landscape over the last 12 months, and how the company’s Fusion product should enable WANdisco to take advantage of these changes. He also provides an overview of the Fusion product, and details how it enhances the way in which WANdisco engages with its clients. David talks about the stall in the Application Lifestyle Management (ALM) business in H1 and the company’s plans to reestablish momentum. He concludes by discussing the key milestones by which investors should gauge WANdisco’s progress going forward.
Edison TV | Technology | 27/10/2015
Manx Telecom (MANX) is the leading provider of broadband and telecommunications services on the Isle of Man. The company provides a full range of fixed, mobile, broadband, data, hosting and managed services to consumers, businesses and the public sector.
In this video interview, CEO Gary Lamb discusses the current operating environment for the group and the impact on the business of recent investments in network upgrades, including 4G and VDSL. He also discusses the regulator’s impact on the market and its focus on attracting investment to the island as well as the benefits of it not being bound by EU regulations. Gary additionally details the success of Manx Telecom’s data hosting services and the recent signing of PokerStars as the anchor tenant of its newest property, as well as the strategic importance of the Isle of Man’s favourable environment to its success in attracting international business. He concludes by discussing the company’s outlook for the future and its current dividend strategy.
Edison TV | Metals & Mining | 23/10/2015
Caledonia Mining (AIM: CMCL) is a mining exploration and development company focused on Southern Africa. CMCL mines gold at its main operating asset, the 49%-owned Blanket gold mine in southern Zimbabwe. It is also advancing a number of promising satellite projects close to Blanket.
In this executive interview, Chief Financial Officer Mark Learmonth provides viewers with an update on the company’s revised investment plan for expanding production at Blanket. He details Caledonia’s method of funding the revised plan at the current gold price, as well as the short- and long-term impact on production costs. Mark briefly discusses recent developments at the exploration projects, GG and Mascot, and concludes by assuring investors that, at the current gold price, Caledonia intends to continue paying its quarterly dividend into 2016.
Edison TV | Media | 23/10/2015
Matomy Media is a global digital performance-based advertising group. Its proprietary platform provides one point of contact for campaign management across eight media channels including display, mobile, social, video, email, search, virtual currency and domain optimisation. The platform provides data analysis, campaign monitoring, reporting, audience targeting, programmatic media buying and real time bidding. Its strategy is to provide a unified solution to its customers across a diversified spectrum of media, but with a focus on the fast growth areas of the ecosystem – mobile, social and video advertising. Recent acquisitions have been focused on this. Matomy is listed on AIM and is headquartered in Tel Aviv and New York.
In this interview, Matomy’s COO, Sagi Niri talks about how the Matomy solution is differentiated by providing a risk-free model for advertisers, where they pay for media only when Matomy delivers on predefined results with no hidden costs or fees. He discusses how in a rapidly evolving sector, the strategy to diversify by media channel, format and geography is helping it to meet the challenges the sector is facing. The company continues to grow despite the reduction of display inventory following changes in ad exchange policies earlier in the year; June was Matomy’s strongest month. Sagi also explains how the sector’s shift towards programmatic technologies and mobile was the motivation behind its 2014 acquisition of the industry’s third largest mobile exchange, Mob Fox. Mob Fox is well placed on both the supply and demand sides of the ecosystem, is now fully integrated and is helping the group scale up without increasing its cost base. Matomy expects another challenging year, but Sagi thinks that it is well equipped to deal with the current volatility in the industry. The group plans to continue to work towards its strategy of being an industry leader and hopes to make selected strategic acquisitions to support this objective.
Edison TV | Healthcare Services | 09/10/2015
Abzena (AIM:ABZA) is a UK group, which offers a range of key services and technologies that enable its customers to develop safer and more effective biological products. The company consists of three main operating business units: Antitope (immunogenicity testing, protein engineering, cell line development), PolyTherics (bioconjugation, polymer/synthetic chemistry) and the recently acquired PacificGMP (biomanufacturing).
In this video interview, CEO John Burt discusses how Abzena’s business model and services distinguish it from other companies in the biopharmaceutical space. He also details the recent cash acquisition of PacificGMP, how it extends Abzena’s offering into GMP manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and the benefits of acquiring a US operational base. John concludes by talking about Abzena’s outlook for the coming year in terms of milestones, challenges and financial and operational targets.
Edison TV | Technology | 09/10/2015
Xero (XRO.NZX/XRO.ASX) is an emerging global leader in cloud accounting, with solutions for small businesses and their advisors. The company was founded in 2006 and is dual listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (listed in June 2007 with a NZ$55m market cap including NZ$15mn new capital) and the Australian Securities Exchange (listed November 2012).
In this video, Xero’s UK managing director Gary Turner explained that the company’s software is a new-generation software that uses the cloud, runs on a web browser or mobile app and has been deliberately designed for small business (defined as less than 20 employees and less than NZ$2m in revenue). The 5.3m small businesses in the UK use spreadsheets rather than accounting software. Feedback from Xero’s customers is that they now enjoy accounting, which is generally seen as a chore. Xero works with accountants to recommend that their clients use Xero’s software. Social media is used to reach what is in essence a consumer-scale audience. A big part of Xero’s strategic focus is to acquire customers who pay small monthly subscriptions and are likely to remain customers for an average of three to four years. Xero releases detailed customer data including average revenue per user (ARPU) and acquisition costs per country.
Edison TV | Aerospace & Defence | 09/10/2015
Martin Aircraft Company is an ASX-listed R&D; company based in Christchurch, New Zealand, which is now being positioned to enter the commercial market. It makes the innovative Martin Jetpack, a ducted fan-powered personal transportation system. It is being tailored to suit the needs of a variety of sectors including emergency first responders, search and rescue, and mining and agriculture, in both manned and remotely piloted variants.
In this video interview, CEO Peter Coker discusses the technical aspects and potential applications for the Martin Jetpack, capitalising on its flexibility in demanding operational environments. He also outlines the ability to continue to fund the programme to full commercialisation. First commercial delivery is expected in the second half of 2016, with emergency first responders the initial target market. The move from a research-led, non-revenue company to a fully industrialised manufacturer provides an interesting proposition as future technical milestones are achieved, with technical risk mitigation a current priority.
Edison TV | Tech Hardware & Equipment | 07/10/2015
AIM-listed ClearStar is a technology and service provider to the background check industry, supporting companies, employers and employees with their recruitment and employment application decisions. Its suite of applications utilise data from more than 3,000 sources ranging from CVs to records with local authorities, and its Aurora platform has delivered employment intelligence to more than 27,000 employers, including many global blue-chip companies. Growth is driven by the increasing demands on employers to ensure security and regulatory compliance. It has recently expanded outside the US and now reports across four divisions aligned to its end-customer: Channel Partners and CRAs (46% H115 sales); Medial Information Services (30% sales); Direct to Employers (18%); and Global (6%).
In this interview Robert J Vale, Jr discusses the scale of the market opportunity and how ClearStar’s bespoke technology solutions differentiate it from its competitors. As a SaaS-based business model, revenues are transactionally based and the group gauges performance on the number of people it screens. To drive growth, it is looking to diversify into new industries and geographies and add new service offerings. The company is actively seeking to deepen sales to existing clients and increasingly widening its direct sales initiatives.
Edison TV | Tech Hardware & Equipment | 05/10/2015
Xaar’s CEO Doug Edwards discusses the balance of the company’s business, its competitive differentiators and opportunities in emerging markets for inkjet printing, such as direct-to-shape packaging, textiles and commercial printing. He also discusses Xaar’s exposure to China and the how the company is diversifying its geographical and end-market exposure.
He discusses management’s strategy for more than doubling revenues by 2020, and his thoughts on deploying capital to meet this goal.
Edison TV | Media | 05/10/2015
XL Media is a market-leading provider of performance digital marketing services. The group uses proprietary tools and methodologies to generate high-value traffic for its customers, in return for a revenue share, fixed fees or a hybrid of both. It operates across a number of verticals with specific expertise in the online gaming sector, where it has over 150 partners and is one of the largest independent online traffic providers to the gambling industry. The group has three divisions based on its primary marketing methodologies: content and search engine optimisation (‘publishing’), digital media buying and its affiliate network. It is a global business headquartered in Israel, with 55% of its revenues from Scandinavia. It has been in operation for 10 years and listed on AIM in 2014.
In this video, CEO Ory Weihs explains how there is not a one size fits all strategy in different geographies, where products, regulation and opportunities can vary significantly. Ory discusses what kind of regulatory environments they would be prepared to work in and also how XL Media’s experience positions them well to enter new verticals such as daily fantasy sports and financial betting. Looking ahead, XL Media sees many opportunities and plans to continue to invest to expand to meet ambitious targets. Bolt on acquisitions are always on the agenda and strategic acquisitions would be considered to accelerate organic growth in strategic verticals.
Edison TV | Software & Comp Services | 02/10/2015
AIM-listed Accesso Technology (accesso) is a provider of technology solutions to the leisure and attractions industries. It has a broad range of solutions, ranging from ticketing, payments, queue-line management to point-of-sale. More than 960 attractions and venues worldwide employ accesso’s solutions, including theme parks, water parks, ski and snow parks, cultural attractions, live performance venues and sporting events. Customers include many leading names in the leisure industry: Six Flags Entertainment; Cedar Fair Entertainment; Merlin Entertainments; International Speedway Corporation; Palace Entertainment; Compagnie des Alpes; and Herschend Family Entertainment.
In this video, CEO Tom Burnet gives an overview of accesso’s history and its product offerings. He outlines the size of the opportunity that the group has to sell its solutions to the leisure and attractions industries. He discusses the recent contract win with Merlin Entertainments as well as the Qbot contract win with a big theme park in California. Mr Burnet explains the potential to cross- and up-sell the group’s customer base. He outlines the group’s vision and strategy to create a queueless theme park. Finally, he explains the recent decision to raise guidance and outlines the group’s competitive advantages.
Edison TV | Oil & Gas | 23/09/2015
In this video, technical director Andy Carroll talks about the opportunities that Mosman has recognised as a result of the current low oil price, and the company’s ability to acquire high quality assets at a reasonable price. He discusses in detail the South Taranaki Energy Project (STEP) potential acquisition from Origin, and announces that the company is now in the stage of finalising the funding; the transaction is set to complete towards the end of 2015. Andy ends by discussing Mosman’s business strategy to grow the company to a sustainable mid-cap, and emphasises the fact that they will continue to look at further high-quality acquisitions in due course.
Following the recording of this video, Mosman announced on 22 September 2015 a £1.5m placing that, with previously confirmed funds, completes the financing for up to 70% stake in the STEP acquisition.
Edison TV | Travel & Leisure | 17/09/2015