Investment management software company, Netwealth, has made a large impact in a short amount of time. Through updated technologies, elegant user experience and by providing financial planners with the ability to manage their clients’ money, report and charge for additional services, this relatively new platform is positioning itself as a welcome alternative to the tired staples offered by the big banks.
Originally founded by the Heine family, father Michael Heine and son Matt Heine are joint Managing Directors. The family holds 53% of the company, demonstrating personal investment or ‘skin in the game’, a contributing factor in our positive appraisal of this stock. After listing in November 2017 at $3.70 a share, the price now sits at $7.48, a doubling in the share price in eight months.
Over the last twelve months, Netwealth has taken a 22% share of all net flows to investment platforms in Australia but still command less than a 2% share of the total market. A figure that may initially seem small but we predict will grow as money churns from the old platforms to the new. Whilst their current PE ratio is over forty times, we expect that in five years they may reach a 10% share of the total market’s funds under advice, which, based on our modelling, could equate to $160 million net profit placing it on a PE ratio of about ten times.
We believe Netwealth is a sound long-term investment and have chosen to invest in this stock for four main reasons:
- They are the leading player in investment management software platforms for financial planners in Australia.
- They are winning 22% of the market share of new money being invested via platforms in Australia.
- Whilst the headline PE ratio is quite high at the moment, we forecast very strong profit growth over coming years as money churns from the legacy bank platforms into these new technology platforms.
- The management team are personally invested, owning more than half of the company.
This stock is currently held by our Emerging Companies Fund
This report has been prepared by Pengana Capital Ltd (ABN 30 103 800 568, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 226566) (“Pengana”). This report does not contain any investment recommendation or investment advice and has been prepared without taking account of any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, before acting on the information in this report a person should consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to their objectives, financial situation and needs. Pengana is the issuer of units in the Pengana Emerging Companies Fund (ARSN 111 894 540) (“the Fund”). A Product Disclosure Statement for the Fund (“PDS”) is available and can be obtained by contacting Pengana on (02) 8524 9900. A person who is considering investing in the Fund should obtain the relevant PDS and should consider the PDS carefully and consult with their financial adviser to determine whether the Fund is appropriate for them before deciding whether to invest in, or to continue to hold, units in the Fund. The value of investments can go up and down. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of past performance. While care has been taken in the preparation of this report, Pengana makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, currency or completeness of any statement, data or value. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Pengana expressly disclaims any liability which may arise out of the provision to, or use by, any person of this report.
