ICG Enterprise Trust PLC (LSE:ICGT) Full Year 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Returns ...

Yahoo

10-05-2025

Release Date: May 08, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
ICG Enterprise Trust PLC (LSE:ICGT) recorded a NEV per share total return of 10.5% and a share price total return of 12.5% for the year ending January 2025.
The company has a strong track record, with a NEV per share total return of 97% and a share price total return of 59% over the past five years.
ICG Enterprise Trust PLC is featured on the AIC's list of ISA millionaires, highlighting its long-term consistent returns.
The portfolio consists of resilient private companies with 11.2% revenue growth and 15.3% LTM EBITDA growth, outperforming the FTSE all-share earnings growth.
The company returned 59 million pounds to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, equivalent to 5% of opening NEV, demonstrating a shareholder-focused capital allocation strategy.
The macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty has increased, posing potential risks to future performance.
Realizations were below the long-term trend as a percentage of NAV, reflecting a broader trend in global M&A volumes.
The investment climate has been challenging, with slower turning of the investment life cycle compared to previous years.
The portfolio's net debt multiple decreased slightly to 4.4X, while the EV/EBITDA multiple rose to 15.2X, which may indicate increased valuation risks.
The company executed a secondary sale at a 5.5% discount, which, although lower than the share price discount, still reflects a reduction in asset value.
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with LSE:ICGT.
Q: Can you elaborate on the performance of ICG Enterprise Trust over the past year? A: Oliver Gardy, the presenter, highlighted that ICG Enterprise Trust recorded an NEV per share total return of 10.5% and a share price total return of 12.5% for the year ending January 31, 2025. The portfolio companies showed resilience despite macroeconomic uncertainties, and over the past five years, the NEV per share total return was 97%, with a share price total return of 59%.
Q: What is the investment strategy of ICG Enterprise Trust? A: The strategy focuses on investing in profitable, cash-generative private companies in North America and Europe, aiming for resilient growth. The trust invests only in buyouts, avoiding venture capital or growth equity, and targets developed markets. It emphasizes mid-market and larger deals, focusing on top-tier managers and resilient sectors.
Q: How did the trust's portfolio perform in terms of revenue and EBITDA growth? A: Colin Walsh reported that the portfolio companies recorded 11.2% revenue growth and 15.3% LTM EBITDA growth, outperforming the broader market. The net debt multiple decreased slightly to 4.4x, while the EV/EBITDA multiple rose to 15.2x, reflecting the quality of the portfolio.
Q: What were the key investment activities during the fiscal year? A: The trust made 83 million in new fund commitments, including a significant commitment to ICG Strategic Equity 5. It invested 181 million, with Audiotonics being the largest investment. The trust also realized 151 million from exits, with Minimax being a notable exit post-period end.
Q: How does ICG Enterprise Trust approach capital allocation and shareholder returns? A: The trust returned 59 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, equivalent to 5% of opening NEV. The ordinary dividend per share has increased for 12 consecutive years, and the trust has been active in share buybacks, enhancing NEV per share and reducing share price volatility.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.