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Group pre-close trading update and trading statement

Published: 2023-03-16 10:00:36 ET
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Investec Limited                                                         Investec plc
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa                             Incorporated in England and Wales
Registration number 1925/002833/06                                       Registration number 3633621
JSE share code: INL                                                      LSE share code: INVP
JSE hybrid code: INPR                                                    JSE share code: INP
JSE debt code: INLV                                                      ISIN: GB00B17BBQ50
NSX share code: IVD                                                      LEI: 2138007Z3U5GWDN3MY22
BSE share code: INVESTEC
ISIN: ZAE000081949
LEI: 213800CU7SM6O4UWOZ70


Group pre-close trading update and trading statement

Investec today announces its scheduled pre-close trading update for the year ending 31 March 2023
(FY2023).
Commentary on the Group’s financial performance in this pre-close trading update represents the 11 months
ended 28 February 2023 and compares forecast FY2023 to FY2022 (31 March 2022) ^.

FY2023 earnings update and guidance
For the year ending 31 March 2023, the Group expects:

  •    Adjusted earnings per share between 66p and 70p ( 20% to 27% ahead of prior year) (FY2022: 55.1p).
  •    Basic earnings per share between 83p and 87p ( 60% to 67% ahead of prior year) (FY2022: 52.0p),
       positively impacted by the gain on the implementation of the Ninety One distribution in May 2022.
  •    Headline earnings per share between 65p and 69p ( 22% to 29% ahead of prior period) (FY2022: 53.3p).
  •    Adjusted operating profit before tax between £782.8 million and £833.6 million (FY2022: £687.4 million).
       o    UK business’ adjusted operating profit to be at least 15% higher than prior year (FY2022: £302.8
            million). Specialist Bank expected to be at least 30% higher than prior year (FY2022: £193.7 million).
       o    Southern African business’ adjusted operating profit to be at least 10% ahead of prior year in Rands
            (FY2022: R7 812 million, £384.6 million). Specialist Bank expected to be at least 15% higher than
            prior year in rands (FY2022: R7 104 million, £349.4 million).
  •    ROE to be within the Group’s FY2024 target range of 12% to 16%, in line with guidance given in November
       2022.

The year to date performance which formed the basis for the above expectations is summarised below:

The Group experienced strong performance, notwithstanding the complex macroeconomic backdrop that
prevailed in the period. Our diversified business model and strong balance sheet allowed us to support our clients
amidst this evolving environment. Continued execution of our stated strategy has enabled the Group to achieve
its FY2024 targets.

The increase in pre-provision adjusted operating profit was underpinned by continued client acquisition, positive
effects from rising global interest rates and higher average advances.

  •    In the UK, the revenue growth experienced in the first half has continued while the effects of weakening
       macro backdrop negatively impacted equity capital markets (ECM) activity levels. In Southern Africa, the
       Group experienced positive revenue momentum in the second half.
       o    Net interest income benefitted from higher average lending books and higher interest margin given
            the rising interest rate environment.
       o    Non-interest revenue was negatively impacted by lower fees in the wealth and investment
            businesses and UK ECM given market weakness, the distribution of 15% shareholding in Ninety One
            and lower investment income; this was partly offset by a positive contribution from trading income.
  •    Fixed operating expenditure increased in line with the first half, driven by continued investment in people
       and technology, and post-pandemic normalisation of certain business expenses. Variable remuneration
       grew in line with profitability. The cost to income ratio improved as revenue grew faster than costs and
       is expected to be in line with 1H2023 levels and within our FY2024 targets.

In line with the guidance provided in November 2022, the credit loss ratio continued to normalise towards the
through-the-cycle (TTC) range and is expected to be in the bottom half of the Group’s TTC range of 25bps to
35bps.

For the 11 months period ended 28 February 2023:




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      •     The Wealth & Investment business FUM declined by 3.7% to £61.0 billion. This was driven by market
            volatility which was partly offset by net inflows of £396 million (discretionary net inflows: £756 million
            and non-discretionary net outflows: £361 million).

      •     Within Specialist Banking, core loans grew by 1.5% (9.2% in constant currency) annualised to £30.4
            billion, driven by corporate lending in both geographies and residential mortgage growth predominantly
            in the UK.

The Group is well capitalised with strong liquidity, above Board approved minimums, and is well positioned to
continue to support its clients and pursue growth opportunities in line with our strategic objectives.

Investec has made significant progress on its capital optimisation strategy. To date, the Group has acquired c.52
million shares or an equivalent of c.5.2% of the shares outstanding before the November 2022 announcement
of the share purchase and share buy-back programme; and returned c.R5.4 billion or £245 million to
shareholders through this programme. In South Africa, Investec Limited received the approval to commence the
capital measurement for the income producing real estate portfolio under the advanced internal ratings based
(AIRB) based approach, resulting in 222bps uplift to CET 1 ratio as at 31 January 2023.

^ The Group distributed 15% of Ninety One on 30 May 2022, retaining a 10% interest.


Other information
The financial information on which this trading update and trading statement is based, has not been reviewed
and
reported on by the external auditors.

An investor conference call will be held today at 09:00 UK time /11:00 South African time. Please REGISTER
HERE for the call.

Year end results
The results for the year ending 31 March 2023 are scheduled for release on Thursday,18 May 2023.

On behalf of the board
Philip Hourquebie (Chair), Fani Titi (Group Chief Executive)

For further information please contact:
Investec Investor Relations
General enquiries: investorrelations@investec.co.za

Results:
Qaqambile Dwayi
SA Tel: +27 (0)83 457 2134

Brunswick (SA PR advisers)
Graeme Coetzee Tel: +27 (0)63 685 6053

Lansons (UK PR advisers)
Tom Baldock Tel: +44 (0)78 6010 1715




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Key income drivers

     Core loans
                                                                                                           Neutral currency
     £'m                           28-Feb-23               31- Mar-22                 % change
                                                                                                             % change
     UK and Other                    15,763                   14,423                    9.3%                     9.4%

     South Africa                    14,617                   15,511                   (5.8%)                    9.1%

     Total                           30,379                   29,934                    1.5%                     9.2%
     Customer deposits
                                                                                                           Neutral currency
     £'m                           28-Feb-23               31- Mar-22                 % change
                                                                                                             % change
     UK and Other                    19,383                   18,286                    6.0%                     6.0%

     South Africa                    19,831                   21,832                   (9.2%)                    5.2%

     Total                           39,214                   40,118                   (2.3%)                    5.5%

     Funds under Management (FUM)
                                                                                                           Neutral currency
     £'m                                                   28-Feb-23       31-Mar-22       % change
                                                                                                             % change
     Total Wealth & Investment FUM                           61,044          63,376            (3.7%)           0.8%


           UK and Other                                      41,445          42,894          (3.4%)             (3.4%)
            Discretionary                                    35,847          36,728          (2.4%)             (2.4%)
             Non-discretionary                                5,598           6,166            (9.2%)            (9.2%)
           Southern Africa                                   19,599          20,482          (4.3%)               9.5%
             Discretionary and annuity                       10,690          10,243           4.4%               20.0%
             Non-discretionary                                8,909          10,239         (13.0%)              (1.1%)


     Specialist Bank                                           383             424             (9.6%)            (6.3%)


     Total FUM                                               61,427          63,800            (3.7%)            0.7%

Notes

1.     Definitions
            •    Adjusted operating profit refers to operating profit before goodwill, acquired intangibles and
                 strategic actions and after adjusting for earnings attributable to other non-controlling interests.
                 Non-IFRS measures such as adjusted operating profit are considered as pro-forma financial
                 information as per the JSE Listings Requirements. The pro-forma financial information is the
                 responsibility of the Group’s Board of Directors. Pro-forma financial information was prepared for
                 illustrative purposes and because of its nature may not fairly present the issuer's financial position,
                 changes in equity or results of operations. This pro-forma financial information has not been
                 reported on by the Group’s auditors.
            •    Adjusted earnings is calculated by adjusting basic earnings attributable to shareholders for the
                 amortisation of acquired intangible assets, non-operating items including strategic actions, and
                 earnings attributable to perpetual preference shareholders and other additional tier 1 security
                 holders.
            •    Adjusted earnings per share is calculated as adjusted earnings attributable to shareholders
                 divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
            •    Headline earnings is an earnings measure required to be calculated and disclosed by the JSE and
                 is calculated in accordance with the guidance provided in Circular 1/2021.
            •    Headline earnings per share (HEPS) is calculated as headline earnings divided by the weighted
                 average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
            •    Basic earnings is earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders as defined by IAS33 Earnings Per
                  Share.
             •    Core loans is defined as net loans to customers plus net own originated securitised assets.
             •    The credit loss ratio is calculated as expected credit loss (ECL) impairment charges on gross core
                  loans as a percentage of average gross core loans subject to ECL.

2.     Exchange rates

The Group’s reporting currency is Pounds Sterling. Certain of the Group’s operations are conducted by entities
outside the UK. The results of operations and the financial condition of these individual companies are reported


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in the local currencies in which they are domiciled, including Rands, Australian Dollars, Euros and US Dollars.
These results are then translated into Pounds Sterling at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates for
inclusion in the Group’s combined consolidated financial statements. In the case of the income statement, the
weighted average rate for the relevant period is applied and, in the case of the balance sheet, the relevant
closing rate is used. The following table sets out the movements in certain relevant exchange rates against the
Pound Sterling over the period:


                                        11 months to                      Year ended                  Year ended
                                      28 February 2023                   31 March 2022               31 March 2021

     Currency
                                 Period end       Average       Period end        Average      Period end      Average
     per GBP1.00

     South African Rand             22.27          20.30          19.24            20.28          20.36          21.33

     Euro                            1.14           1.16           1.18             1.18           1.17              1.12

     US Dollar                       1.21           1.20           1.31            1.37           1.38               1.31

3.    Profit forecasts
           •     The following matters highlighted in this announcement contain forward-looking statements:
                       ▪   Adjusted EPS is expected to be between 66.0p and 70.0p which is ahead of FY2022.
                       ▪   Basic EPS is expected to be between 83.0p and 87.0p which is ahead of FY2022.
                       ▪   HEPS is expected to be between 65.0p and 69.0p which is ahead of FY2022.
                       ▪   Adjusted operating profit is expected to be 14% to 21% ahead of FY2022.
                       ▪   The UK business’ adjusted operating profit to be at least 15% higher than prior year.
                       ▪   The Southern African business’ adjusted operating profit to be at least 10% ahead of
                           prior year in Rands.
                       ▪   ROE is expected to be within the Group’s FY2024 target range of 12% to 16%.
                 (collectively the Profit Forecasts).
           •     The basis of preparation of each of these statements and the assumptions upon which they are
                 based are set out below. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and
                 other factors – these factors may cause the Group’s actual future results, performance or
                 achievements in the markets in which it operates to differ from those expressed in the Profit
                 Forecasts.
           •     Any forward looking statements made are based on the knowledge of the Group at 15 March
                 2023.
           •     These forward looking statements represent a profit forecast under the Listing Rules. The Profit
                 Forecasts relate to the period ending 31 March 2023.
           •     The financial information on which the Profit Forecasts are based is the responsibility of the
                 Directors of the Group and has not been reviewed and reported on by the Group’s auditors.

       Basis of preparation
            •    The Profit Forecasts have been properly compiled using the assumptions stated below, and on a
                 basis consistent with the accounting policies adopted in the Group’s March 2022 audited financial
                 statements, which are in accordance with IFRS and are those which the Group anticipates will be
                 applicable for the year ending 31 March 2023.
            •    The Profit Forecasts have been prepared based on (a) audited financial statements of the Group
                 for the year ended 31 March 2022, and the results of the Specialist Banking and Wealth &
                 Investment businesses underlying those audited financial statements; (b) the unaudited
                 management accounts of the Group and the Specialist Banking and Wealth & Investment
                 businesses for the 11 months to 28 February 2023; and (c) the projected financial performance of
                 the Group and the Specialist Banking and Wealth & Investment businesses for the remaining one
                 month of the period ending 31 March 2023.
            •    Percentage changes shown on a neutral currency basis for balance sheet items assume that the
                 relevant closing exchange rates at 28 February 2023 remain the same as those at 31 March 2022.
                 This neutral currency information has not been reported on by the Group’s auditors.

       Assumptions
       The Profit Forecasts have been prepared on the basis of the following assumptions during the forecast
       period:

       Factors outside the influence or control of the Investec Board:
            •    There will be no material change in the political and/or economic environment that would
                 materially affect the Investec Group.
            •    There will be no material change in legislation or regulation impacting on the Investec Group’s
                 operations or its accounting policies.
            •    There will be no business disruption that will have a significant impact on the Investec Group’s
                 operations.
            •    The Rand/Pound Sterling and US Dollar/Pound Sterling exchange rates and the tax rates remain
                 materially unchanged from the prevailing rates detailed above.

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         •    There will be no material changes in the structure of the markets, client demand or the competitive
              environment.

    Estimates and judgements
    In preparation of the Profit Forecasts, the Group makes estimations and applies judgement that could affect
    the reported amount of assets and liabilities within the reporting period. Key areas in which judgement is
    applied include:
         •    Valuation of unlisted investments primarily in the private equity, direct investments portfolios and
              embedded derivatives. Key valuation inputs are based on the most relevant observable market
              inputs, adjusted where necessary for factors that specifically apply to the individual investments
              and recognising market volatility.
         •    The determination of ECL against assets that are carried at amortised cost and ECL relating to
              debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) involves the
              assessment of future cash flows which is judgmental in nature.
         •    Valuation of investment properties is performed by capitalising the budget net income of the
              property at the market related yield applicable at the time.
         •    The Group’s income tax charge and balance sheet provision are judgmental in nature. This arises
              from certain transactions for which the ultimate tax treatment can only be determined by final
              resolution with the relevant local tax authorities. The Group recognises in its tax provision certain
              amounts in respect of taxation that involve a degree of estimation and uncertainty where the tax
              treatment cannot finally be determined until a resolution has been reached by the relevant tax
              authority. The carrying amount of this provision is often dependent on the timetable and progress
              of discussions and negotiations with the relevant tax authorities, arbitration processes and legal
              proceedings in the relevant tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates. Issues can take many
              years to resolve and assumptions on the likely outcome would therefore have to be made by the
              group.
         •    Where appropriate, the Group has utilised expert external advice as well as experience of similar
              situations elsewhere in making any such provisions.
         •    Determination of interest income and interest expense using the effective interest rate method
              involves judgement in determining the timing and extent of future cash flows.

About Investec
Investec Group (comprising Investec plc and Investec Limited) partners with private, institutional, and corporate
clients, offering private banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, and investments
services in two principal markets, South Africa and the UK, as well as certain other countries. The Group was
established in 1974 and currently has 8,500+ employees.

In 2002, Investec implemented a dual listed company structure with listings on the London and Johannesburg
Stock Exchanges.


16 March 2023

Johannesburg and London

JSE Equity Sponsor: Investec Bank Limited




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