NB Private Equity Partners Limited - Interim Results

Core Insights - NB Private Equity Partners (NBPE) reported a NAV total return of 4.0% in USD for the six months ending June 30, 2025, driven by strong performance from private companies and positive foreign exchange effects [4][8][27] - The portfolio achieved weighted average LTM revenue growth of 8.8% and LTM EBITDA growth of 9.8%, indicating resilient operating performance despite market challenges [5][9][31] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on potential investment opportunities with $284 million in cash and undrawn credit lines available [6][19] Financial Performance - As of June 30, 2025, NBPE's net assets totaled $1,283 million, with a NAV per share of $28.14 (£20.53) [6][8] - The portfolio's valuation multiple was 15.4x EV/EBITDA, with a weighted average net debt/EBITDA multiple of 5.4x, indicating stable leverage levels [11][34] - Realisation activity generated $68 million in proceeds during the first half of 2025, with expectations for an additional $41 million from pending realisations [13][36] Market Environment - The exit environment showed signs of recovery after a slowdown in 2023 and early 2024, with renewed momentum expected in the latter part of 2025 [5][12][40] - Despite positive NAV returns, NBPE's share price declined by 7.6% over the same period, reflecting broader market sentiment and sector-wide challenges [15][16] - The company continues to face a wide discount in the listed private equity sector, which has been attributed to overall muted NAV performance [14][24] Investment Strategy - NBPE's investment strategy includes a focus on mid-life co-investments, with a recent $10 million investment in Infra Group, a leading infrastructure service provider [20][38] - The company has repurchased approximately 739,000 shares at a 29% discount to NAV, contributing to NAV accretion of $0.09 per share [6][17] - The board remains focused on improving share price performance and narrowing the discount to NAV through enhanced investor relations and marketing efforts [25][26]