UIL

Working towards a 2028 privatisation

22 October 2024

On 8 October 2024, UIL Limited (UIL) announced plans to take the company private after the redemption of the 2028 zero dividend preference (ZDP) shares. UIL’s board has decided that despite holding a selection of potentially exciting investments, recent disappointing performance has meant that the company no longer has the scale to build up a sufficiently diversified portfolio. Also, given that UIL has a limited free float, there is not enough liquidity in its ordinary shares, and its broad investment mandate is out of favour with investors. Therefore, the company will be taken private and its stock exchange listings cancelled following the redemption of the October 2028 ZDP shares. In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, the annual dividend of 8.0p per share will continue to be paid while UIL remains a listed company. MORE »

Announcement of 2028 privatisation plans

9 October 2024

On 8 October 2024, UIL Limited (UIL) announced plans to take the company private after the redemption of the 2028 zero dividend preference (ZDP) shares. UIL’s board has decided that despite holding a selection of potentially exciting investments, recent disappointing performance has meant that the company no longer has the scale to build up a sufficiently diversified portfolio. Also, given that UIL has a limited free float, there is not enough liquidity in its ordinary shares, and its broad investment mandate is out of favour with investors. Therefore, the company will be taken private and its stock exchange listings cancelled following the redemption of the October 2028 ZDP shares. In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, the annual dividend of 8.0p per share will continue to be paid while UIL remains a listed company. MORE »

Long-term focus, avoiding short-term noise

4 March 2024

UIL Limited (UIL) is managed by Charles Jillings and his highly experienced team at value-based specialist investor ICM. It is a unique portfolio of undervalued assets, which is illustrated by the fund’s differentiated exposures. In terms of geography, the largest weightings are Australia (c 42%) and the UK (c 21%), while the largest sector allocations are financial services (c 51%) and technology (c 21%). The majority of the portfolio, around 75%, is held in platforms (collective investment companies), with the balance in direct investments. UIL’s dividends have remained steady for the last three financial years and the board anticipates that the annual distribution will at least be maintained, using revenue reserves when required. The company offers a very attractive above-market 7.1% dividend yield. MORE »

Uncaptured value from discounted assets

22 April 2021

UIL Limited (UIL) is a specialist leveraged fund managed by long-term, deep-value investor ICM. The team, led by Charles Jillings, aims to generate strong total returns by investing in undervalued businesses across the globe. Around 80% of the portfolio is held in collective investment vehicles managed by ICM known as ‘platforms’, each of which has a specific mandate, while the other positions are direct investments. The fund’s three largest sector exposures are financial services, resources and technology (c 75%), while the largest geographic weighting is Australia (c 40%). Jillings is upbeat about UIL’s future prospects; he believes that over the last year the quality of the fund’s assets and its funding structure have improved, and he is encouraged by the company’s strong level of income and reserves. MORE »

Seeking undervalued assets across the globe

10 December 2019

UIL Limited (UIL) is managed by ICM, where the lead managers aim to generate strong total returns by investing in undervalued companies across the globe. Charles Jillings, responsible for day-to-day management, stresses that ICM is a long-term, deep-value, high-conviction investor, seeking exposure to companies with high growth potential. UIL has generated strong absolute and relative NAV and share price total returns for investors; it measures investment performance against the FTSE All-Share index. The company has reduced its gearing significantly (although it remains high in the context of peers) and the board is now focused on achieving a lower discount to net asset value (NAV), targeting 20%. MORE »