WAM Capital Ltd (ASX:WAM) Full Year 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Outperformance and ...

In This Article:

  • WAM Capital Outperformance: Outperformed the All Ordinaries Index by 14% and the Small Ordinaries Index by 17%.

  • WAM Research Outperformance: Outperformed the All Ordinaries Index by 18% and the Small Ordinaries Index by 21%.

  • WAM Microcap Outperformance: Outperformed by 12%, marking the seventh consecutive year of outperformance since IPO.

  • WAM Active Outperformance: Outperformed its benchmark by 26%.

  • Dividend Yield: WAM Capital trading at a fully franked dividend yield of around 10%.

  • Net Tangible Assets (NTA): Declined by about 5% per year due to high dividend payouts.

  • Dividend Coverage: 1.5 years of dividend coverage in profit reserve, up from 0.7 the previous year.

  • Premium to NTA: Historically traded at a 16% premium; currently at parity with NTA.

  • Small-Cap Performance: Small-cap companies underperformed by 2% in August, compared to a 0.4% increase in the broader market.

  • Sector Performance: Healthcare and financial services sectors performed well, with companies like Healius and Judo Bank outperforming.

  • New Zealand Market: Experienced a 30% decline in foot traffic in June and July.

Release Date: September 06, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • WAM Capital Ltd (ASX:WAM) outperformed the market significantly, with WAM Capital outperforming by 14% and WAM Research by 18% against the All Ordinaries Index.

  • The company successfully deployed all proceeds from a $90 million capital raise in April, with strong performance from the invested stocks in the June quarter.

  • WAM Active outperformed its benchmark by 26%, benefiting from increased capital markets activity and discounted stock lines.

  • The company has a strong dividend yield, trading at a fully franked dividend yield of around 10%, compared to the market average of 4%.

  • WAM Capital has 1.5 years of dividend coverage in its profit reserve, an improvement from 0.7 years the previous year, indicating better dividend sustainability.

Negative Points

  • The share price of WAM Capital has declined over the past 12 months, despite strong performance, attributed to cyclical factors and a reduction in premium to net tangible assets.

  • There has been a lack of expected capital markets activity, with only one initial public offering invested in since the April capital raise.

  • Small-cap companies have underperformed larger companies, with a 2.4% headwind in the small-cap sector during the reporting season.

  • The company faces challenges with the underperformance of small caps, which is seen as cyclical but has persisted into the 2025 financial year.

  • The dividend payout is high, requiring the portfolio to increase by over 16% annually just to maintain the current dividend level, which has led to a decline in net tangible assets.