Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 30th June 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.8% | - | -4.5% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.8% | - | -4.5% |
Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund returned 0.4% in May 2026, bringing year-to-date performance to -4.5%. The fund maintains a concentrated portfolio with 90.6% long exposure and 37.0% short exposure, resulting in 53.6% net exposure. The manager initiated a position in MLP SE, a German financial advisory firm serving academic professionals, following a profit warning that created an attractive entry point. MLP's unique franchise has been cultivated over 55 years through university recruitment, creating deep client relationships that are difficult to replicate. The manager believes demographic tailwinds will drive significant earnings growth as MLP's client base enters peak wealth accumulation years, with the average client now in their late forties facing inheritance planning, pension gaps, and complex financial needs. The manager views AI as enhancing rather than disrupting MLP's model, enabling advisers to focus more on client relationships. With MLP trading at twelve times forecast 2026 earnings and management targeting 50% profit growth by 2028, the manager sees upside potential exceeding 70%. The fund's top holdings include Andritz AG, Deutsche Wohnen SE, and SAF-Holland SE, with exposure concentrated in Germany, the UK, and France.
Ennismore invests in undervalued European smaller companies with strong franchises and identifiable catalysts, running a concentrated long/short portfolio with net exposure around 54%.
The manager expects MLP to achieve its 2028 profit growth target of 50%, driven by demographic tailwinds as the client base enters peak wealth accumulation years, with assets under management growing to EUR 75-81bn. The manager anticipates significant share price upside of more than 70% as the market recognizes the fair value of this franchise, supported by improving return on equity towards the mid-teens as the business scales.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9 2026 | 2026 Q2 | EVS.BR, MLP.DE, SFQ.DE | Europe, financials, Germany, industrials, Long/Short, small caps, value | - | Ennismore returned 0.4% in May, down 4.5% year-to-date. The fund initiated a position in MLP SE, a German financial advisory firm trading at twelve times earnings following a profit warning. MLP's 55-year-old network of advisers serving academic professionals creates a defensible franchise benefiting from demographic tailwinds as clients enter peak wealth years. Management targets 50% profit growth by 2028, implying 70%+ upside. |
| Apr 9 2026 | 2026 Q1 | ABDY.L, ANDR.VI, DWN.DE, SFQ.DE | Europe, industrials, Long/Short, small caps, value | - | Ennismore's European small cap fund suffered its fourth worst month ever in March, down -6.6% as structural overweights to small caps and industrials backfired. Despite the pain, management remains convinced the portfolio is mispriced and sees improved opportunities from indiscriminate selling and widening small-large cap valuation gaps. |
| Jan 13 2026 | 2025 Q4 | AAD.DE, BNTX, COST.L, DWNI.DE, EVS.BR, LSS.PA, PDX.ST, RNK.DE, SFQ.DE, SIKA.SW, STB.L, STO.DE, THEP.PA, TRI.PA, ULP.L, VETQ.PA, VOW3.DE | AI, defense, Europe, infrastructure, Long/Short, Quality, small caps, value |
STB LN SIKA SW EVS BB TRI FP DWNI GR SFQ GR STO3 GR R3NK GR |
Ennismore's European small cap fund delivered 10.7% returns in 2025 through disciplined value investing despite market preference for large-cap themes. Strong conviction in quality businesses at attractive valuations, with long positions trading at 50% discount to shorts for comparable quality. Infrastructure spending catalysts and German market recovery expected to drive stronger 2026 performance. |
| Oct 7 2025 | 2025 Q3 | ACAD.ST, AFX.DE, CPR.MI, EVS.BR, FQT.VI, GSC.DE, HWDN.L, JUST.L, MPG.MI, STO.DE, SYS1.L, TRI.PA | consumer discretionary, Europe, Long/Short, Market share, small caps, value | HWDN LN | European small-cap long/short fund up 10.1% year-to-date, emphasizing quality compounders like Howden Joinery. Howden dominates UK kitchens with one-third market share, taking share even in weak markets through cost advantages. Trading at historical multiples despite 20% volume recovery potential and margin expansion opportunity as store base matures. |
| Jun 30 2025 | 2025 Q2 | AMF.DE, COST.L, EVS.BR, SFQ.DE, STB.L, TRI.PA, UPG.L, WTB.L | Europe, Germany, Hotels, infrastructure, Long/Short, semiconductors, small caps, value |
COST LN WTB LN WTB.L |
Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund delivered solid June performance despite short book headwinds, with infrastructure and banking positions driving gains. The fund sees compelling value in European small caps, particularly German names benefiting from fiscal changes and UK quality businesses like Whitbread trading at historic discounts due to temporary macroeconomic pressures. |
| Apr 4 2025 | 2025 Q1 | ACAD.ST, CGPN.L, CXR.L, DWNI.DE, EVS.BR, SFH.DE, SFR.L, STB.L, STEM.L, THER.PA, TRI.PA, VOS.DE | Absolute return, Europe, Long/Short, small caps, value | THEP.PA | Ennismore delivered 4.6% in March through successful long/short execution, with shorts contributing 386bps. The fund targets European smaller companies using absolute return strategy, currently featuring infrastructure beneficiary Vossloh and new position Thermador Groupe, a French distributor trading at attractive valuations despite cyclical headwinds in energy renovation markets. |
| Jan 10 2025 | 2024 Q4 | AAD.DE, ACAD.ST, COS.L, EVS.BR, IGG.L, MOL.MI, NOVG.SW, SMRO, STB.L, STEM.L, STO.DE, SWON.SW, ULP.L, VOS.DE | Europe, Germany, industrials, infrastructure, Long/Short, small caps, technology, value | - | Ennismore's European small-cap fund suffered -6.5% in 2024 from macro headwinds and stock-specific issues, but maintains conviction in concentrated portfolio of undervalued businesses trading at 12x multiples with 20% ROIC. With microcaps at 33% discounts and declining rates expected to boost corporate activity, management anticipates strong recovery in 2025. |
| Oct 8 2024 | 2024 Q3 | COST.L, DWNI.DE, EVS.BR, IGG.L, MOL.MI, STHR.L, STO.DE, VIB.DE, VID.L, VNA.DE | Absolute return, Europe, Long/Short, real estate, small caps, value | DWNI.DE | European small-cap long/short fund declined 3.6% in September on macro concerns. Key position Deutsche Wohnen trades at 40% NAV discount with Vonovia buyout catalyst. Reduced Videndum exposure after guidance cut while IG Group showed strength. Fund maintains concentrated approach with 91 long positions focused on undervalued European smaller companies. |
| Jul 4 2024 | 2024 Q2 | ASLI.L, CBOX.L, COST.L, EVS.BR, IGG.L, MUTU.MI, SDG.L, STHR.L, STO3.DE | Absolute return, Europe, Long/Short, small caps, special situations | ASLI.L | European small-cap long/short fund delivered 0.9% in June despite long book weakness, benefiting from profitable short positioning. Key focus on special situations including abrdn European Logistics Income wind-down offering 30% upside through NAV discount closure. Portfolio maintains 41% net exposure across 170 total positions with UK and German concentration. |
| Apr 5 2024 | 2024 Q1 | CGD.PA, COST.L, ESNT.L, EVS.BR, IGG.L, JUST.L, MGAM.L, MOL.MI, SPT.L, STEM.L, STO3.DE, VOS.DE, VRLA.PA | Europe, Glass, Long/Short, M&A, small caps, value | VRLA.PA | European small-cap fund gained 1.2% in March, boosted by Spirent's 86% premium takeover and strong results from Costain. Manager sees temporary weakness from destocking ending in H2 2024, with portfolio companies trading at attractive valuations despite headwinds. Net 41.8% exposure to cash-generative businesses positioned for operational improvements and potential M&A activity. |
| Jan 5 2024 | 2023 Q4 | COST.L, CXS.L, EVS.BR, IGG.L, MOL.MI, STO3.DE, ULP.L, VTU.L | Europe, Long/Short, small caps, software, technology, value | - | Ennismore delivered 2.1% returns in 2023 through concentrated European small-cap long/short strategy. Portfolio emphasizes quality software companies like Celebrus Technologies, which transformed its business model and grew recurring revenues significantly. Fund maintains selective positioning with 77 longs and 94 shorts, focusing on fundamental value opportunities across European markets. |
| Oct 5 2023 | 2023 Q3 | ANTV.MI, COST.L, EVS.BR, GLJ.DE, IGG.L, NOVG.DE, STB.L, STO.DE, VOS.DE, VRLA.PA | Banking, Europe, Long/Short, small cap, Specialty Finance, value | STB.L | European small cap fund delivered 3.0% in September through concentrated long/short strategy. Key focus on undervalued specialist lenders like Secure Trust Bank trading at 3.5x earnings with 200%+ upside potential. Fund benefits from competitor exits in niche markets and regulatory tailwinds reducing capital requirements. Manager maintains conviction despite short-term volatility. |
| Jul 6 2023 | 2023 Q2 | EVS.BR, IGG.L, MGAM.L, MZON.SW, NOVN.PA, STO.DE, SWON.SW, TINY.L, VOS.DE | dividends, Europe, Long/Short, materials, small caps, technology, value | MGAM.L | European smaller companies long/short fund struggling with short book performance despite manager conviction in overvaluation thesis. Long book offers compelling value, especially UK names trading at unsustainably low levels. Recent contributors include SoftwareOne takeover bid and high-yielding Novem Group. Fund maintains concentrated approach with detailed fundamental analysis, as demonstrated by Morgan Advanced Materials case study showing 40%+ upside potential. |
| Apr 6 2023 | 2023 Q1 | CGM.PA, COA.L, COST.L, EVS.BR, FIE.DE, IGG.L, JUST.L, MOL.MI, MZHN.SW, STB.L, STO.DE, SWON.SW, UPGS.L, VOS.DE, WSU.DE | Absolute return, Europe, industrials, Long/Short, small caps, value | WAF.DE | Ennismore's European small-cap long/short fund declined 3.3% in Q1 2023 but maintains conviction in undervalued holdings. The detailed Washtec investment case highlights their strategy: dominant market positions with recurring revenue streams trading at attractive valuations during temporary margin compression. Strong cash generation and competitive moats support recovery expectations across the concentrated 77-position long book. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q2 |
Financial ServicesThe fund initiated a position in MLP SE, a German financial advisory firm targeting academic professionals. MLP's network of advisers has been cultivated over 55 years through university recruitment, creating deep client relationships that are difficult to replicate. The manager believes AI will enhance rather than disrupt this model, as complex financial planning requires human expertise and trust. |
Financial Advice Wealth Management Germany Client Relationships AI Impact |
DemographicsMLP's client base is entering peak wealth accumulation years, with the average client in their late forties. This cohort of academic professionals from the 1980s and 1990s is now receiving inheritances, noticing pension gaps, and facing increasingly complex financial planning needs, driving organic growth in assets under management and insurance premiums. |
Aging Population Wealth Accumulation Inheritance Pension Planning | |
AIThe manager views AI as a net benefit to MLP's business model, enabling advisers to spend less time on administrative and regulatory work and more time with clients. The manager argues that complex financial situations require human understanding and trust that AI cannot replicate, positioning MLP's personal advisory model as defensible against technological disruption. |
Artificial Intelligence Automation Advisory Services Human Capital | |
| 2026 Q1 |
Testing & InspectionAB Dynamics operates in automotive testing with strong pricing power and regulatory tailwinds. The company benefits from increasing regulatory complexity, NCAP 2030 roadmap expansion, and NHTSA rules for ADAS testing. Despite customer project delays, the business model is resilient with 45% recurring revenue. |
ADAS Automotive Regulation Testing Pricing Power |
Small CapsFund is structurally overweight small caps which underperformed materially in March. UK small caps returned -11.5% and German small caps returned -10.8% versus European index -8.5%. The valuation gap between small and large caps continues to widen, creating opportunities. |
Valuation Gap Underperformance Opportunity Europe Positioning | |
| 2025 Q4 |
Behavioral FinanceManager discusses behavioral biases in investing, comparing rational 'Morning Investor' mode to impulsive 'Nighttime Investor' decisions. Emphasizes the importance of overcoming psychological biases like avoiding action that could cause regret, and building habits to make better investment decisions. |
Behavioral Biases Psychology Decision Making |
ValueMature (Value) businesses led performance in Q4 and were the strongest contributors for the full year, reflecting durable execution in companies generating healthy free cash flow and returning capital. The strategy maintains exposure to value-oriented businesses across market caps. |
Free Cash Flow Capital Return Mature Businesses | |
GrowthEmerging (Growth) businesses reversed some substantial gains in Q4 but delivered a strong year overall, generating significant alpha relative to the benchmark. Despite Q4 weakness, the growth basket performed well for the full year. |
Alpha Generation Emerging Businesses | |
| 2025 Q3 |
Market ShareHowden Joinery has increased its UK kitchen market share from one-fifth to one-third since 2011, with management expecting continued share gains. The company consistently takes market share from weak competitors, especially during downturns, through its cost advantage and superior business model. |
Market Share Competition Scale Consolidation |
ValueHowden trades at seventeen times enterprise value to run-rate operating profit, in line with historical valuation despite significant optionality on volume and margin recovery. The manager views current market expectations as low given the company's competitive positioning. |
Valuation Value Recovery Optionality | |
| 2025 Q2 |
HotelsWhitbread represents a compelling opportunity with Premier Inn's strong UK market position and significant growth potential in Germany. The company trades at a discount to historic valuations despite management's value creation initiatives and the German operations approaching profitability. Current UK macroeconomic headwinds create a temporary window for market share gains from weak independent players. |
Premier Inn Germany Value Market Share Real Estate |
InfrastructureCostain continued its positive performance trajectory with an upbeat trading statement highlighting new opportunities in nuclear power and water segments. The UK engineering and infrastructure company announced a share buyback program and improvements in its pension scheme position, reflecting strengthening fundamentals in the infrastructure space. |
Nuclear Water Engineering Buybacks UK | |
SemiconductorsThe fund's short position in a UK semiconductor technology company was closed after an unexpected USD 2.4bn acquisition. While the manager viewed the business as a low-quality producer of commoditised components, they underestimated the attractiveness of its data centre products to larger players leveraging the AI data centre boom. |
Data Centers AI Takeover Commoditised Short | |
| 2025 Q1 |
Infrastructure SpendingVossloh AG will profit from increased spending into railways with announced infrastructure investments in Germany. The company reported inline full year results and gave encouraging outlook including the soon to be closed Sateba acquisition. |
Railways Germany Infrastructure Transportation Government |
Energy TransitionThermador operates in markets benefiting from increasing demand from homeowners and landlords to improve energy and water efficiency of their homes. Government incentives through MaPrimeRenov programme support energy renovation projects that improve efficiency of energy consumption. |
Energy Efficiency Renovation Government Incentives Residential Water | |
| 2024 Q4 |
Small CapsFund focuses on European smaller companies with net exposure of 25% in sub-GBP 250m market cap companies. Microcaps in Europe have underperformed by 33% over last 3 years but offer significant mispricing opportunities due to less broker research and institutional coverage. |
Microcaps Valuation Mispricing Coverage Opportunities |
ValueTop 10 long positions trade at attractive valuations with weighted average ROIC of 20% and EV/NOPAT of 12 times for 2025. Manager emphasizes finding significantly mispriced companies offering high return and low risk opportunities. |
Undervalued ROIC Multiples Mispricing Returns | |
Infrastructure SpendingCostain Group benefits from increasing capex requirements for water industry infrastructure upgrades and carbon capture projects. Vossloh positioned for rail infrastructure investment driven by environmental benefits and under-investment recovery. |
Water Rail Capex Carbon Investment | |
| 2024 Q3 |
Real EstateDeutsche Wohnen represents a significant opportunity as the dominant residential landlord in Berlin trading at a 40% discount to NAV. Vonovia's domination agreement provides confidence for a final buyout at significantly higher prices within the next few years. |
Berlin Residential NAV Discount Buyout Vonovia |
| 2024 Q2 |
LogisticsThe fund invested in abrdn European Logistics Income PLC, a closed-end fund owning 25 mid-box logistics sites across Europe with concentration in Spain and Netherlands. The investment thesis centers on the wind-down strategy eliminating the 22% discount to NAV by selling properties and returning cash to shareholders. The manager expects 30% upside to December 2025 driven by structural growth in e-commerce demand for logistics sites. |
Real Estate Wind-down Discount E-commerce NAV |
| 2024 Q1 |
GlassEuropean glass manufacturing industry is oligopolistic with high barriers to entry and has experienced significant volume declines in 2023 due to weak consumption and destocking. The manager believes these factors are temporary and expects recovery as destocking ends and economic conditions improve. |
Glass Packaging Oligopoly Destocking Recovery |
M&ASpirent Communications received acquisition approaches from Viavi and then Keysight, with the final recommended offer representing an 86% premium. The manager believes there could be higher bids and sees M&A activity as a key driver for certain portfolio holdings. |
Takeover Premium Consolidation Bidding Value | |
| 2023 Q4 |
SoftwareCelebrus Technologies represents a key software investment with data capture and fraud detection capabilities. The company has transformed from partner-led to direct sales model, increasing recurring revenues from £4.8m to £17m, with new applications including fraud detection and analytics driving growth potential. |
SaaS Data Analytics Fraud Detection Recurring Revenue Direct Sales |
| 2023 Q3 |
BankingDetailed analysis of Secure Trust Bank as a UK specialist lender trading at 3.5x earnings and 67% discount to tangible book. The company has grown its loan book to £3.2bn with focus on retail finance and real estate lending, showing resilient credit metrics despite economic headwinds. |
Lending Credit Retail Finance Real Estate Finance |
| 2023 Q2 |
ValueThe manager believes there is significant overvaluation in many short positions versus their sustainable earnings potential, while the long book has many unsustainably low valuations, especially in UK listed holdings which seem particularly cheap. |
Valuation Undervalued Overvalued Cheap Sustainable earnings |
DividendsNovem Group reported solid first quarter numbers and backed that up with a generous dividend payout for the previous financial year giving it a yield of over 11%. Morgan Advanced Materials supports a current dividend yield of more than 4%. |
Dividend yield Payout Income Distribution | |
| 2023 Q1 |
IndustrialsThe fund holds significant positions in industrial companies including Vossloh AG (rail equipment), Costain Group (construction), and Washtec AG (car wash equipment). The manager sees value in companies with strong competitive positions and recurring revenue streams from services and spare parts. |
Rail Equipment Construction Industrial Machinery Industrial Services Automation |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | STB LN | Secure Trust Bank Plc | Financials | Specialty Finance | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | banking, buybacks, Capital, Regulation, valuation | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | SIKA SW | Sika AG | Materials | Construction Chemicals | Bull | Swiss Exchange | Chemicals, construction, Freecashflow, infrastructure, Pricingpower | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | EVS BB | EVS Broadcast Equipment SA | Information Technology | Broadcasting Equipment | Bull | Shanghai Stock Exchange | AI, broadcasting, Margins, robotics, valuation | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | TRI FP | Trigano SA | Consumer Discretionary | Leisure Vehicles | Bull | Euronext Stock Exchange | cashflow, Cyclicality, Leisure, Margins, Vehicles | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | DWNI GR | Deutsche Wohnen SE | Real Estate | Residential REIT | Bull | Xetra | Housing, NAV, realestate, takeover, yield | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | SFQ GR | SAF-Holland SE | Industrials | Commercial Vehicle Parts | Bull | Xetra | aftermarket, buybacks, Cyclicality, dividends, Trucking | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | STO3 GR | STO SE & Co. KGaA | Materials | Building Materials | Bull | Xetra | Buildingmaterials, Energyefficiency, Insulation, Margins, valuation | Login |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | R3NK GR | Renk Group AG | Industrials | Industrial Machinery | Bear | Xetra | And Valuations Detached From Fundamentals In Favour Of Narrative – We Think We Could Have Positioned Ourselves Better For This Theme On Both Sides Of The Book., In The Case Of Renk Group Ag, We Were Slow To React When The Defence Industry Continued To Rally | Login |
| Oct 7, 2025 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | HWDN LN | Howden Joinery Group Plc | Consumer Discretionary | Specialty Stores | Bull | NYSE | cash returns, Depot density, Logistics, Margins, market share, Roce, vertical integration | Login |
| Jul 7, 2025 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | WTB.L | Whitbread | Consumer Discretionary | Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | Bull | London Stock Exchange | Budget Hotels, dividend yield, European expansion, Freehold Property, Germany, Hotels, market share, Real Estate, Share Buybacks, turnaround, UK, Value | Login |
| Jun 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | COST LN | Costain Group plc | Consumer Discretionary | Construction & Engineering | Bull | NYSE | Contracts, engineering, growth, infrastructure, valuation | Login |
| Jun 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Margaret Webb | WTB LN | Whitbread plc | Consumer Discretionary | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines | Bull | NYSE | assets, Hotels, Margins, restructuring, valuation | Login |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | THEP.PA | Thermador Groupe | Industrials | Trading Companies & Distributors | Bull | Euronext Paris | Cyclical, Distributor, Energy Renovation, Fluid Circulation, france, HVAC, M&A, market share gains, net cash, Value | Login |
| Oct 8, 2024 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | DWNI.DE | Deutsche Wohnen SE | Real Estate | Residential REITs | Bull | XETRA | Berlin, buyout, discount to NAV, Domination Agreement, Germany, Minority Squeeze-out, rental income, Residential Real Estate, Special Situation, Vonovia | Login |
| Jul 4, 2024 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | ASLI.L | abrdn European Logistics Income PLC | Real Estate | Specialized REITs | Bull | London Stock Exchange | asset liquidation, closed-end fund, discount to NAV, e-commerce, European real estate, Logistics Real Estate, Special Situation, Value Realization, Wind down | Login |
| Apr 5, 2024 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | VRLA.PA | Verallia SA | Materials | Containers & Packaging | Bull | Euronext Paris | Beverages, cash generation, Containers, Cyclical Recovery, Destocking, European Market Leader, Glass packaging, high barriers to entry, insider buying, margin expansion, Oligopolistic Industry, Share Buybacks, Spirits, Value, Wine | Login |
| Jan 5, 2024 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | - | Celebrus Technologies Plc | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | London Stock Exchange | Customer Intelligence, Data Analytics, direct sales, Fraud detection, real-time data, recurring revenue, SaaS, Software, technology platform, UK | Login |
| Oct 5, 2023 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | STB.L | Secure Trust Bank | Financials | Consumer Finance | Bull | London Stock Exchange | conservative lending, consumer finance, insider buying, market share gains, real estate finance, Specialist Lender, technology platform, undervalued, Value, Vehicle Finance | Login |
| Jul 6, 2023 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | MGAM.L | Morgan Advanced Materials Plc | Materials | Specialty Chemicals | Bull | London Stock Exchange | Ceramics, Consumables, defensive, Electrical Carbon, industrial manufacturing, market leader, materials, recurring revenue, Thermal Products, turnaround, UK, Value | Login |
| Apr 6, 2023 | Fund Letters | Ennismore European Smaller Companies Fund | WAF.DE | Washtec AG | Industrials | Machinery | Bull | XETRA | Car Wash Equipment, Germany, machinery, Margin recovery, market leader, North America Expansion, recurring revenue, Service Network, turnaround, Value | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| SFQ.DE | SAF-Holland SE was our largest contributor, adding 58bps to fund performance after reporting stable Q1 results and strong cash generation in an uncertain environment. |
| EVS.BR | EVS Broadcast Equipment SA was our largest detractor, costing the fund 54bps as it reported weak Q1 figures, FY26 earnings guidance range was widened at both ends, and the departure of its CFO was announced. |
| MLP.DE | MLP SE was founded in 1971 in Heidelberg as the unglamorous 'Marschollek, Lautenschläger und Partner' with a simple ambition: to offer financial advice to German academics. Fifty-five years later, the company advises nearly 600,000 private clients, oversees EUR 65bn in client assets, and manages more than EUR 800 million in general insurance premiums. With a market capitalisation of EUR 890m and a healthy balance sheet carrying approximately EUR 150m of excess cash, MLP is trading at twelve times our forecast net operating earnings for 2026. We know this business well, having last invested in MLP in 2021 when the share price was depressed and sold a year later when strong performance fee generation led to a rapid recovery. Once again, we see an opportunity to invest in MLP at an attractive valuation, with shares under pressure following its late-2025 profit warning. Demand is benefiting from tailwinds arising from its ageing client base and, with a strict discipline on cost and focus on productivity, management targets profit growth of 50% by 2028, which we deem realistic and therefore believe offers significant upside in the coming years. MLP is a unique franchise, with a network of financial advisers targeting educated professionals such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and dentists. This network of academic advisers was not assembled; rather, it was cultivated through a specific channel over more than five decades. The company recruits its financial advisers from the same universities as its clients, with a new MLP consultant starting out advising fellow students and junior colleagues. Built on a foundation of shared professional identity, vocabulary, and career trajectory, the initial relationship tends to deepen as both parties age. It is this personal and social aspect of MLP's offering that gives us confidence that artificial intelligence will be a net benefit on balance, enabling advisers to spend less time on administrative and regulatory work, and more time face-to-face with clients. In 2025, MLP reported revenues of EUR 1.08bn, up marginally on the previous year, and operating profit of EUR 87.9m, below the prior year's EUR 95m and well below guidance of EUR 100–110m issued at the start of the year. The shares fell sharply following the guidance cut in November, with management citing a lower contribution from performance fees within its asset management business FERI, and announcing its exit from in-house real estate developments at subsidiary Deutschland. Stripping out the real estate one-off, underlying operating profit grew to EUR 97.1m – ahead of the prior year and of the EUR 96.8m peak in 2021 when performance fees were abnormally strong at EUR 67m. 2026 has started strongly with record Q1 revenues of EUR 315m, 4.7% higher year-on-year, and record Q1 operating profit of EUR 41.3m, compared to EUR 37.8m in the previous year. These results are especially strong given the geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict. MLP's 2028 targets of EUR 1.3–1.4bn revenue and EUR 140–155m operating profit seem ambitious, but the demographic trends in its underlying business give us confidence that they are achievable. The market is valuing MLP at an undemanding twelve times our forecast of EUR 73m net operating earnings, below its historical average of fourteen times. Meanwhile, consensus forecasts 2028 earnings at the bottom of management's guided range. Expectations are low, yet MLP's key operating indicators – assets under management, insurance premiums, and client numbers – are all at record levels. As the business scales, we expect return on equity to improve towards the mid-teens, supporting a higher valuation. The controlling family owns 27.5% of the business and has no intention of selling, enabling long-term strategic development aligned with stakeholders. Until the market realises the fair value of this unique franchise, shareholders will enjoy a generous dividend of close to 5%. Recent insider buying from management supports our view and the path towards its 2028 earnings target implies to us significant share price upside of more than 70% valuing the shares at the mid-point range and average multiples. |
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Bought | Shares Bought | % Change | Weight % |
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| Industry | Prev Quarter % | Current Quarter % | Change |
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