26 January 2024
3i Infrastructure plc - Q3
Performance update
Performance remains strong,
seeing attractive growth opportunities in the
portfolio
3i Infrastructure plc ('3iN' or the
'Company') is an investment company whose purpose is to invest
responsibly in infrastructure, delivering long-term sustainable
returns to shareholders and having a positive influence on our
portfolio companies and their stakeholders.
This statement relates to the period
from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023 (the 'Period').
Scott Moseley and Bernardo
Sottomayor, Managing Partners and Co-Heads of European
Infrastructure, 3i Investments plc, Investment Manager of the
Company, commented:
"Building on a strong first-half of
the financial year, we are pleased to report that performance
continues to be ahead of our expectations. As such, we anticipate
exceeding our target return for the year once again. Our strategy
remains consistent as we prioritise supporting the growth of our
existing portfolio companies where we are seeing a number of
attractive opportunities, and we will apply proceeds from any
divestments to reduce outstanding balances on 3iN's revolving
credit facility ('RCF')."
Highlights
·
Attero
sale: In November 2023, the Company
completed the previously announced sale of its c.25% stake in
Attero for net sale proceeds of €214 million, a c.31% uplift to our
latest valuation. The proceeds were used to partially repay
drawings on the Company's RCF.
·
Our
Portfolio continues to deliver. In
particular, during the Period;
- TCR
continues to outperform, with earnings growth
ahead of our expectations at the start of the year. In the Period,
the business has achieved a number of important commercial project
wins, further increasing its global presence. Notably, in January 2024, TCR signed an agreement
with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to acquire its equipment services
subsidiary, KES.
- ESVAGT
is continuing to experience high utilisation and
day rates across all segments. In January 2024, ESVAGT signed a new
15-year contract with Vestas
to provide an additional Service Operation Vessel
in the North Sea. It is anticipated this vessel will come into
service in early 2026. With this addition, ESVAGT's total contract
backlog is now in excess of €1.5 billion, of which c.70% is
offshore wind related.
- Future Biogas:
On 30 November 2023, 3iN completed a further £30
million investment to fund the acquisition of two anaerobic
digestion plants currently operated by Future Biogas. This
continues the strategy to grow Future Biogas into a leading
developer, asset owner and operator of green gas plants in the UK.
In the Period, Future Biogas raised £40 million of undrawn debt
facilities, available to fund future growth.
- Tampnet
is performing well,
continuing to deliver new installations and digitalisation projects
across the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, Tampnet's
new carrier infrastructure project, Norfest, which will provide
unique fibre access to the fast-growing Norwegian data centre
market, is now ready for service.
- Valorem
had another period of strong performance with
electricity generation above our expectations. Valorem completed
the sale of a minority stake in part of its French operational
portfolio on attractive terms, demonstrating the strong appetite
for its projects and raising capital to finance its healthy
development pipeline of wind and solar projects.
- DNS:NET:
The management team, led by the new CEO, is
finalising its revised roll out plan as explained at 3iN's half
year results. We will provide a further update at our full year
results.
·
Income slightly
ahead of expectations in the Period: Total income and non-income cash was
£49 million.
·
FY24 dividend
target: The Company is on track to
deliver the FY24 dividend target of 11.90 pence per share, up
6.7% from FY23, which is expected to be fully covered by net
income.
Balance Sheet
At 31 December 2023, the Company was
€640 million (£555 million) drawn into its £900 million RCF and has
a cash balance of £75 million. Net debt is therefore £480 million
at the end of the Period. This cash balance was subsequently
reduced by the payment of the interim dividend of £55 million in
January 2024.
Ends
For information, please
contact:
Thomas Fodor
|
Shareholder enquiries
|
+44 20 7975 3469
|
Kathryn van der Kroft
|
Media enquiries
|
+44 20 7975 3021
|
About 3i Infrastructure plc
3i Infrastructure plc is a
Jersey-incorporated, closed-ended investment company, an approved
UK Investment Trust, listed on the London Stock Exchange and
regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
The Company's purpose is to invest responsibly in
infrastructure, delivering long-term sustainable returns to
shareholders and having a positive influence on our portfolio
companies and their stakeholders.
3i Investments plc, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of 3i Group plc, is authorised and regulated in the UK
by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the investment manager of
3i Infrastructure plc.
This
press release is not for distribution (directly or indirectly) in
or to the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan and is not an
offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada,
Australia or Japan. Securities may not be offered or sold in the
United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), or an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act. Any public offering to be
made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus
that may be obtained from the issuer or selling security holder and
will contain detailed information about 3i Group plc, 3i
Infrastructure plc and management, as applicable, as well as
financial statements. No public offering in the United States is
currently contemplated.
This
statement aims to give an indication of material events and
transactions that have taken place in the period from 1 October
2023 to 31 December 2023 and their impact on the financial position
of 3i Infrastructure plc. These indications reflect the Board's
current view. They are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties and could change. Factors which could cause or
contribute to changes include, but are not limited to, general
economic and market conditions and specific factors affecting the
financial prospects or performance of individual investments within
the portfolio of 3i Infrastructure plc.