Leading International Investment Research, Edison Investment Research

Edison Investment Research

Leading International Investment Research

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisors and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting.

Equity Bottom-Up

1Spatial Plc is a business and technology consultant. The Company provides advisory services and distributes software solutions in the corporate performance management market.

1Spatial has announced that it has won a new contract to deliver data transformation and integration (DT&I) solutions for the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR). The contract value of £4.2m over an initial two years with £1.5m licence revenue has improved economics versus the company’s previous engagement (signed in September 21) and 1Spatial is promoted to prime contractor for the DT&I element, whereas previously it was subcontractor to Atkins. We are not changing our estimates, but believe that this deal provides further evidence that 1Spatial now well embedded as a key supplier supporting the digitisation of the UK’s infrastructure.

1Spatial has announced that it has won a new contract to deliver data transformation and integration (DT&I) solutions for the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR). The contract value of £4.2m over an initial two years with £1.5m licence revenue has improved economics versus the company’s previous engagement (signed in September 21) and 1Spatial is promoted to prime contractor for the DT&I element, whereas previously it was subcontractor to Atkins. We are not changing our estimates, but believe that this deal provides further evidence that 1Spatial now well embedded as a key supplier supporting the digitisation of the UK’s infrastructure.

1Spatial — Extended agreement with NUAR

Molten Ventures PLC operates as a venture capital firm. The Company invests in high-growth technology companies. Molten Ventures serves clients in Europe.

Molten Ventures posted a solid 7.9% NAV per share total return in H126, supported by a c 6% constant currency increase in gross portfolio value (driven by operational performance and in some cases improving market multiples) and a c 2% NAV accretion from buybacks. Standout return drivers were two spacetech businesses (ICEYE and Isar Aerospace), fintech Revolut, digital asset custody business Ledger and AI-powered, cloud-based phone platform Aircall. Molten maintains a good realisation pace, with £62m in proceeds in H126, representing 4.5% of opening gross portfolio value (broadly in line with its through-the-cycle target of 10% per year). Management highlighted improving visibility on further realisations. Molten’s shares currently trade at a 36% discount to NAV.

Molten Ventures posted a solid 7.9% NAV per share total return in H126, supported by a c 6% constant currency increase in gross portfolio value (driven by operational performance and in some cases improving market multiples) and a c 2% NAV accretion from buybacks. Standout return drivers were two spacetech businesses (ICEYE and Isar Aerospace), fintech Revolut, digital asset custody business Ledger and AI-powered, cloud-based phone platform Aircall. Molten maintains a good realisation pace, with £62m in proceeds in H126, representing 4.5% of opening gross portfolio value (broadly in line with its through-the-cycle target of 10% per year). Management highlighted improving visibility on further realisations. Molten’s shares currently trade at a 36% discount to NAV.

Molten Ventures — Improved exit visibility

Solid State PLC distributes electronic components for use in the industrial, automotive, mobile phone, computer and military markets of the United Kingdom. The Company also provides technical support to its customers.  The Company has agreements to supply products to nine electronic components manufacturers, mainly into the UK market. ... More

Solid State’s interim results were always going to show a substantial uplift, given the contribution from the previously delayed defence communications order during the period. Looking through this, the company’s foundations for sustaining growth in the medium to long term also look more solid. The company’s order book, at £87.3m, is healthy and has subsequently been strengthened by recent contract awards. Growth investments and consolidation in Systems and Power should support growth and improve resilience. The company looks well-placed to at least meet FY26 estimates and deliver robust performance thereafter.

Solid State’s interim results were always going to show a substantial uplift, given the contribution from the previously delayed defence communications order during the period. Looking through this, the company’s foundations for sustaining growth in the medium to long term also look more solid. The company’s order book, at £87.3m, is healthy and has subsequently been strengthened by recent contract awards. Growth investments and consolidation in Systems and Power should support growth and improve resilience. The company looks well-placed to at least meet FY26 estimates and deliver robust performance thereafter.

Partners Group Private Equity / Equity Bottom-Up

Partners Group Private Equity Ltd is a closed-ended fund incorporated in Guernsey. The Fund aims to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth and an attractive dividend yield. The Fund invests in diversified portfolio of private equity direct investments

Partners Group Private Equity Limited (PEY) continues its strong exit activity with €65.4m in distributions in the first nine months of 2025 (9M25) and a further 22% of its end-September 2025 NAV in agreed sales processes. Another 11% of NAV is in listed holdings, which gradually will be sold off. Overall, PEY’s manager expects c €200m in proceeds in both FY25 and FY26, which would bring its exit activity closer to the historical average of 21% of opening NAV per year and which bodes well for its share buybacks. PEY posted a 2.1% NAV total return (TR) in Q325 (supported by a 2.6pp impact from changes in portfolio value), which partly offset the (largely fx-driven) 5.7% NAV TR decline in H125. On a constant currency basis, PEY’s portfolio value was up 10.6% in the 12 months to end-Q325, with two of its three holdings that floated last year (Vishal Mega Mart and Galderma) being important drivers. EBITDA growth and higher multiples contributed 7.0pp and 3.0pp, respectively, to this increase, partly offset by a 4.5pp impact of higher net debt (amid refinancing in late 2024 and early 2025 on improved terms to drive growth).

Partners Group Private Equity Limited (PEY) continues its strong exit activity with €65.4m in distributions in the first nine months of 2025 (9M25) and a further 22% of its end-September 2025 NAV in agreed sales processes. Another 11% of NAV is in listed holdings, which gradually will be sold off. Overall, PEY’s manager expects c €200m in proceeds in both FY25 and FY26, which would bring its exit activity closer to the historical average of 21% of opening NAV per year and which bodes well for its share buybacks. PEY posted a 2.1% NAV total return (TR) in Q325 (supported by a 2.6pp impact from changes in portfolio value), which partly offset the (largely fx-driven) 5.7% NAV TR decline in H125. On a constant currency basis, PEY’s portfolio value was up 10.6% in the 12 months to end-Q325, with two of its three holdings that floated last year (Vishal Mega Mart and Galderma) being important drivers. EBITDA growth and higher multiples contributed 7.0pp and 3.0pp, respectively, to this increase, partly offset by a 4.5pp impact of higher net debt (amid refinancing in late 2024 and early 2025 on improved terms to drive growth).

Partners Group Private Equity — Strong exits may trigger sizeable buybacks

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust / Equity Bottom-Up

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust PLC is a closed-end investment trust incorporated in the United Kingdom.  It invests in equities, multi assets, and fixed income. Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust serves customers worldwide.

The board of Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) has announced it has been in active discussions regarding a transformational merger with Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust (EWI) that would lead to a continuation and refinement of the current strategy and also provide a material cash exit. Saba Capital Management, who is a 29% shareholder in EWI, does not support the transaction. Saba’s holding is large enough for the company to block the deal. Nevertheless, USA’s board believes that a merger with EWI would be in the interests of all shareholders and would like to consult with shareholders more broadly on their views.

The board of Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) has announced it has been in active discussions regarding a transformational merger with Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust (EWI) that would lead to a continuation and refinement of the current strategy and also provide a material cash exit. Saba Capital Management, who is a 29% shareholder in EWI, does not support the transaction. Saba’s holding is large enough for the company to block the deal. Nevertheless, USA’s board believes that a merger with EWI would be in the interests of all shareholders and would like to consult with shareholders more broadly on their views.

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust — Proposed merger with Edinburgh Worldwide IT