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NB Private Equity Partners: Long-term, market-beating returns

We reviewed NB Private Equity Partners Ltd (LON:NBPE) business model in our initiation, Co-investments generating superior performance. We noted the high-secular-growth and downside-resilient investee companies, the value added by partner GPs, the good co-investing cashflow and return profile and the value added by the manager, NB. The 26 September results confirmed all these trends. The key numbers were i) NAV p/sh $29.24 (£23.00) (Aug $27.93/ £22.04. ii) 4.8% NAV TR at 30 June 2023, iii) portfolio company weighted average LTM 14.9% revenue and 15.4% EBITDA growth, iv) EV/LTM EBITDA 15.4x, and v) debt/EBITDA 5.4x. NBPE’s virtual investor day is on 5 October at 2pm.

  • Further details: Strong operating performance: the continued strong EBITDA and revenue growth across the portfolio drove a 3.8% return from private investments, which was further underpinned by positive returns from quoted and FX. NBPE also announced the intent to repay ZDPs in Oct’24, and the draw down minimum utilisation of credit line ($90m) and invested in T-bills.
  • CMD 5 October: NB Private Equity Partners will provide a detailed analysis of the portfolio and its views on the private equity market (including ESG). In addition, case studies of underlying portfolio companies will be presented by two of the lead private equity firms, which NBPE has invested alongside. This will be followed by Q&A.
  • Valuation: The 27% discount is above that of direct peers (average 24%), and it (like peers) rose sharply in 2022, to well above historical levels. Adjusting for the legacy income-investments (7% of portfolio), NBPE’s discount rises to 33%. The NAV appears resilient and conservatively valued, making the discount absolutely and relatively anomalous.
  • Risks: Sentiment to costs, the cycle, residual positions in highly rated listed companies following IPOs in 2020-21, the duration of the discount and valuation are the key issues for NBPE, as they are across the whole listed sector. As we detail, below, they are sentiment issues, and do not reflect reality, as we see it. The benefits from the current strategy may not yet be fully appreciated.
  • Investment summary: With over 92% of the portfolio invested in direct equity, NB Private Equity Partners is the most focused listed vehicle in the low-cost, attractive co-investment subsector of the market-beating PE sector. The company and GP selection have proved resilient in downturns, and consistent, large premiums on exit should give investors comfort in the NAV. Its portfolio is diversified by name, sector, GP and geographically, but it has enough concentration for individual investments to add value. The discount is anomalous with long-term, market-beating returns.
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    NB Private Equity Partners co-investments driving superior performance

    13th May 2024

    Hardman & Co reviewed NB Private Equity Partners Ltd (LON:NBPE) business model in our initiation, Co-investments generating superior performance. We noted the high-secular-growth and downside-resilient investee companies, the value added by GPs, the good co-investing cashflow and return profile

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    NB Private Equity Partners: More opportunities for bolt-on deals (LON:NBPE)

    27th October 2023

    NB Private Equity Partners (LON:NBPE) is the topic of conversation when Hardman and Co’s Analyst Mark Thomas caught up with DirectorsTalk for an exclusive interview.

    Q1: Your recent report sits behind a disclaimer, what can you tell us about that?

    A1: It is just the standard disclaimer that many investment companies have. In essence, for regulatory reasons, there are some countries (like the US) where the report should not be read. In the UK, because private equity (PE) is not a simple asset class, the report should be looked at only by professional/qualified investors.

    Q2: You called your recent piece ‘1H’23 results summary: continued growth’, can you tell us more your report?

    A2: We reviewed NB Private Equity Partners’ business model in our initiation, Co-investments generating superior performance. We noted the high-secular-growth and downside-resilient investee companies, the value added by partner GPs, the good co-investing cashflow and return profile and the value added by the manager, NB. The recent results confirmed all these trends.

    The key numbers were i) NAV p/sh $29.24 (£23.00) a substantial discount against the current share price of around £15.30, ii) 4.8% NAV TR at 30 June 2023, iii) portfolio company weighted average LTM 14.9% revenue and 15.4% EBITDA growth, iv) EV/LTM EBITDA 15.4x, v) debt/EBITDA 5.4x and vi) nearly $300m of liquidity, 6.6x its commitments (as a reminder, the co-investment model does not carry the same long-term commitments that investing in primary funds does).

    Taking a slightly longer-term view, the five-year gross IRR on direct investments has been 16.2%, with a 2.4x multiple to cost and an average uplift on exit of 38.2%.

    Q3: In previous interviews, you have discussed the attractions of the PE market as a whole. What is it about the co-investment sub-sector that makes it an especially attractive area?

    A3: With co-investments, an investor like this will not pay the General Partners (GPs) fees, but it still generates the gross PE return. This lower-cost model delivers superior long-term returns.

    Being focused on co-investments means NBPE has complete control over the pacing of new investments, which is also good for cashflow and liquidity management. There are no long-tail commitments and, in some cases, the potential for earlier realisations. There is no blind-pool risk as investments are made directly into known companies rather than making a commitment to a manager’s unallocated fund.

    The company has control over diversification and the investment process, and finally, investments are subject to the double due diligence of NBPE and the manager.

    Q4: NB Private Equity Partners recently held a capital markets day for investors, what were your key takeaways from that?

    A4: For us, it was all about EBITDA and earnings growth.

    The factors behind the historical outperformance in growth were outlined and, critically, going forward the levers NBPE’s partner managers have to grow EBITDA to offset higher interest costs.

    These include more opportunities to do bolt-on deals at attractive prices and secondly, many of NBPE investee companies have pricing power and so can pass on inflationary cost increase, and inflation is a key driver to a higher rates environment. To give just two examples, there are more opportunities for bolt-on deals.

    The bottom line is that target returns on recent deals have been the same as, or even marginally higher than, ones considered five years ago, but the way they will be achieved has changed.

    Q6: We always conclude with any associated risks, what are the risks here?

    A6: Sentiment to costs, the cycle, residual positions in highly rated listed companies following IPOs in 2020-21, the duration of the discount and valuation are the key issues for NBPE, as they are across the whole listed sector. As we detail in our report, in our view, they are sentiment issues, and do not reflect reality, as we see it. The benefits from the current strategy may not yet be fully appreciated.

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    NB Private Equity Partners: Strong outperformance and good market positioning

    26th October 2023

    We reviewed NB Private Equity Partners Ltd (LON:NBPE) differentiated strategy, strong outperformance and good market positioning in our initiation, Co-investments generating superior performance, and 1H’23 results summary: continued growth. The key theme running through NBPE’s 5 October capital markets day was

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