Arctic Norwegian Value Creation Monthly Report February 2019
Arctic Norwegian Value Creation Monthly Report February 2019 FUND COMMENTS Arcc Norwegian Value Creaon (Class B) increased by 4.8% in February, bringing YTD return to 11.7%. Since incep- on in August 2014, the fund has returned 72.7% compared to 43.6% for the Norwegian benchmark. The largest posive contributors to fund performance in February were Schibsted, Elkem and Kongsberg Gruppen. Schibsted once again delivered a decent report. The main online marketplaces, France (Leboncoin), Norway (Finn) and Spain delivered sales growth of 16%, 17% and 13%, respecvely. Sweden, however, is struggling with a slight decline in sales. Losses in investment phase companies were sharply reduced. Publishing, the tradional media houses, delivered 9% earnings growth and a 10% EBITDA-margin. There is increased focus on the demerger of its internaonal marketplaces into a new company, Adevinta, which will take place in April. Elkem reported reasonably strong Q4 profits despite very weak Chinese silicones markets in the laer part of 2018. An annual dividend of NOK 2.6 was announced, corresponding to a yield of 11.4% on the day prior to the results release. Addionally, costs are cut to the tune of NOK 500 million, and the silicones market has shown signs of re- newed strength aer the Chinese New Year. Kongsberg reported an increase in quarterly earnings of 25% year-over -year. Most notably, its defense area reported exceponally strong margins. In its Marime business, profitability connued its upward trend, while revenues increased following a three-year slump. Cash flow was exceponally strong, albeit boosted by prepayments in its defense business.
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