REG - Utilico Emerging Mkt - Publication of monthly factsheet

Utilico Emerging Markets TrustAnnouncement

10/04/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 9283J  Utilico Emerging Markets Trust PLC  10 April 2024

10 April 2024

UTILICO EMERGING MARKETS TRUST PLC

(LEI Number: 2138005TJMCWR2394O39)

 

Publication of monthly factsheet

 

The latest monthly factsheet for Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc ("UEM" or
the "Company") will shortly be available through the Company's website at:

https://www.uemtrust.co.uk/investor-relations/factsheet-archive
(https://www.uemtrust.co.uk/investor-relations/factsheet-archive)

 

Monthly commentary

 

PERFORMANCE

UEM's NAV total return increased by 2.8% in March, outperforming the MSCI
Emerging Markets total return Index ("MSCI") which was up 2.5% in Sterling
terms in the month. This takes UEM's twelve-month NAV total return performance
in its financial year ended 31 March 2024 to 12.8%, significantly ahead of the
MSCI which was up 5.8% in Sterling terms over the same period.

 

Global stock markets were mostly positive in March, as core measures of
inflation continue to ease and economic growth and job data in several
countries proved remarkably resilient. In the US the S&P 500 Index
strengthened by 3.1% with the US workforce expanding by the largest amount in
almost a year. European markets were also buoyant, with the Eurostoxx and FTSE
100 both up 4.2% in the month.

 

Emerging markets posted some impressive figures which demonstrates the
strength of some of these economies. India reported that GDP growth
accelerated to 8.4% in the quarter to December 2023, well ahead of
expectations. Strong retail and mutual funds flows into the market helped the
Sensex Index hit another all-time high, which over the month was up by 1.6%.

 

The exports boom helped bolster Vietnam GDP growth to 5.7% in the quarter to
March 2024, and its upgrade to emerging markets status by FTSE took a step
closer following the issuance of a consultation on the removal of pre-funding
requirements. This helped propel the Ho Chi Minh Index up by 2.5% in March. In
China, the real estate market remains in the doldrums, but some economic data
indicates a tentative recovery with service and manufacturing PMIs edging up,
and exports growth accelerating to 7.1% in February. The Shanghai Composite
Index consolidated gains of 0.9% over March.

 

In Brazil, the Bovespa Index eased by 0.7% after the Central Bank cut interest
rates by 50bps to 10.75% but indicated that future cuts might be at a slower
pace due to uncertainty over the inflation outlook. With inflation at 4.1%,
real rates remain elevated, though it is encouraging to see the economy
holding up well and posting a record trade surplus for Q1. In Mexico, interest
rates were cut for the first time since the Bank of Mexico started its
tightening cycle in 2021. Mexico's Bolsa Index appreciated by 3.5% over the
month.

 

In March, Sterling strengthened against most currencies, up 0.6% versus the
Brazilian Real, 0.5% against the Indian Rupee and the Vietnamese Dong, and
0.3% versus the Chinese Renminbi. Sterling was broadly flat against the US
Dollar and the Philippine Peso.

 

PORTFOLIO

There were three changes to the top holdings, with Manila Water, JSL and
Sonatel entering the top thirty, replacing GSPL, ECL and China Datang on
investment and relative performance. UEM took advantage of the recent price
strength and liquidity in GSPL's shares to exit the majority of its position
in GSPL during the first three months of the year.

 

Manila Water is a Philippine water utility whose main operations service 7.6m
people the East Zone of Manila. A change in the ownership structure and
improvement in regulatory regime provided UEM with an attractive opportunity
to start accumulating a position since late-2023, and progress is reflected in
their recent FY23 results which saw EBITDA increase by over 60% and EPS by
over 130%. Manila Water's share price was up by 15.7% in March.

 

JSL is Brazil's largest listed road logistics company, operating an integrated
logistics services portfolio offering customized services with long-term
contracts. JSL's share price was up by 4.9% over the month. Sonatel's share
price was broadly flat on end-February.

 

Many of UEM's investee companies reported excellent financial results during
March, highlighting the growth and resilience of their operations. ICT's share
price rose by 10.1% following solid FY23 results with yields continuing to
improve, driving revenues up 6.5% and EBITDA up 6.8%. Dividends of PHP 11.00
per share including a special dividend which increased the total dividend by
10.0%.

 

Santos achieved superb Q4 financials with EBITDA up an astonishing 85% on
improved operational efficiencies, and also released strong February volume
data, up 39.5%, reflecting new services won and boosted by volumes from a
competing terminal that had an accident restricting its handling capacity.
Santos' share price soared by 26.2% in March. Orizon delivered FY23 EBITDA
growth of 48% driven predominantly by operational efficiencies. Pleasingly, it
has finally received Gold Standard accreditation for its carbon credits at the
Joao Pessoa landfill site, unlocking further value and helping shares firm by
13.7%. There were also strong share price performances from Nuam up 16.4%,
Umeme up 8.7%, and FPT up 7.4%.

 

Weaker price performance was seen at Citic Telecom, with its share price down
by 15.4% in the month as it reported poor H2 results for 2023, with a collapse
in SMS revenues resulting in EBITDA falling 12.3%. Transport Trade Services'
share price also declined by 4.4%, as it consolidated recent record highs.

 

Portfolio purchases amounted to £10.1m and realisations totalled £43.1m as
UEM raised cash to repay its loan facility.

 

DEBT

UEM's debt decreased from £26.0m to nil in the month as UEM repaid all
amounts outstanding under the £50m committed multicurrency revolving facility
from The Bank of Nova Scotia which matured on 15 March 2024. The Company is
currently in discussions regarding a replacement revolving facility and a
further announcement will be made in due course.

 

OTHER

UEM's share price ended March at 221.00p, decreasing by 0.9% over the month.
Disappointingly, the discount to NAV widened to 19.3% from 17.0%. UEM bought
back 0.7m shares at an average price of 220.44p in the month, taking the total
shares bought back in the twelve months to 31 March 2024 to 11.4m, equivalent
to 5.6% of the share capital as at 31 March 2023.

 

The third quarterly interim dividend of 2.15p per ordinary share in respect of
the year ending 31 March 2024, was paid on 28 March 2024 to shareholders on
the register on 8 March 2024.

 

 

Name of contact and telephone number for enquiries:

ICM Investment Management Limited
 +44(0)1372 271486

Charles Jillings / Alastair Moreton

 

Montfort Communications

Gay Collins, Pippa
Bailey
+44(0)20 3770 7913

utilico@montfort.london

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