Interactive Investor
Log in
Log in

Stockwatch: could this AIM share be a massive winner?

4th April 2023 11:19

by Edmond Jackson from interactive investor

Share on

Up as much as 87% since last Friday, there could be even more to come for this AIM company’s share price, believes analyst Edmond Jackson.

Giant winner 600

A major court victory helps put capabilities of Burford Capital Ltd (LSE:BUR) back in focus. This litigation finance group takes a view on the outcome of cases and, if successful, gains a share of payouts. 

Its share price has been a roller-coaster ride since listing in 2009, multiplying 20 times from around 100p to over 2,000p in less than 10 years, then slumping to 300p amid accounting concerns. Then, Covid disrupted court hearings and the shares traded in a 600-900p range over the last three years. 

I drew attention to Burford as a “long-term buy” at 135p in April 2014 after 2013 annual results showed a 25% increase in profit and a 20% increase in income from litigation cases. By March 2017, however, I was concerned at the extent of subjectivity in accounting for growth. I tend to prefer a cash-based approach where only proven returns are accounted for. Some might say, fair value of litigation assets more realistically involves taking a view on outcomes and discounting them to a net present value. 

Petersen claims a potential big winner 

Another issue back then was much resting on the outcome of relatively few cases – in particular, the “Petersen” claims. These originated in 2015 after the 2012 nationalisation of Argentinian oil company YPF left a group of minority shareholders without compensation. 

Through Petersen Energia, they had bought 25% of YPF on the New York Stock Exchange, making the case quite a precedent for international property rights and status of NYSE-listed assets. 

Majority shareholder Repsol of Spain sued Argentina in 2014, obtaining a $5 billion payout. Hence, the case is a good test of Burford’s concept of litigation financing (where action otherwise might not happen). 

Together with interest accumulating, any settlement would be in multi-billion dollars – which, according to Burford’s entitlements, would if materially paid out result in multiples of its sterling equity market value of £1.3 billion (based on a stock price last week).  

Distraction of the Muddy Waters Research attack  

The Petersen case became overlooked, however, after a short-seller published a detailed critique in August 2019, hitting Burford’s stock from around 1,600p to below 700p. While I thought its claim as to Burford being “arguably insolvent” was over-the-top, aspects of the accounting critique reflected my own concerns, and also how the CEO’s wife was chief finance officer. 

Burford made a vigorous rebuttal, but its stock never really recovered, and around 1.3% of its issued share capital remains sold short by two hedge funds. There has also been quite a turnover in chief finance officers which begs questions. 

Burford’s share price fell briefly below 500p after a 16 March business update delayed publication of the 2022 account. That was because the US Securities and Exchange Commission was challenging Burford’s fair value accounting of its legal assets. 

Management not surprisingly headlined the update more positively, citing over $300 million cash receipts in 2022 yet with 2023 offering nearly three times the hearings of last year. “We may well be at a turning point for the portfolio,” it said.

Burford Capital - financial summary
Year-end 31 Dec

20142015201620172018201920202021
Turnover ($ million)82103163343425370359153
Net profit ($m)46.665.7109249318212165-72.1
Operating margin (%)62.174.972.379.880.971.666.43.1
Reported earnings per share (cents)22.231.552.912015197.075.4-32.9
Normalised earnings per share (cents)22.231.554.812015110077.2-30.7
Operational cashflow per share (cents)-45.1-9.9-3.3-49.1-111-3.824.6-267
Capital expenditure per share (cents)0.050.20.80.30.11.60.20.1
Free cashflow per share (cents)-45.2-10.1-4.1-49.4-111-5.424.4-267
Dividend per share (cents)7.08.09.211.012.54.212.512.5
Return on capital employed (%)9.813.613.519.116.010.37.70.1
Return on equity (%)15.821.035.729.414.610.3-4.5
Cash ($m)196217181176343187322180
Net fixed assets ($m)3263717951,338 2,1672,50929843,391
Net debt $m)-58.4-8693347408489359854
Net assets ($m)3834345967991,3631,5331,6621,552
Net assets per share (cents)187212286383623701759708

Late Friday 31 March, the whale landed  

A New York court issued summary judgment – effectively declaring a complete win against Argentina with respect to liability, with damages yet to be determined.  

Burford’s stock jumped 30% to 750p, closing up over 50% on the New York Stock Exchange to around $11, with a follow-through yesterday (Monday 3 April) in London to as high as 1,070p amid reactive elation. It has eased, however, to around 870p, with sellers prevailing early today. 

This capitalises Burford at near £1.9 billion, hence adds around £600 million to its market value. That’s relative to a potential total pay-out equivalent to around £4 billion, taking the median of estimations being made. Traders will doubtless speculate for months to the extent of taxation may arise if Argentina co-operates. 

A key question is what extent of discount is justified in Burford’s market value given real risks of accruing anywhere near what a court may affirm as due. 

Burford yesterday issued a qualified announcement citing Petersen as one of its four pillars of value in terms of value it could create. Those are my italics for emphasis; lawyers choose their words carefully. 

Respecting Argentina’s likelihood to appeal, Burford cited options to “negotiate a resolution...which would certainly result in what would likely be a substantial discount to the judgment amount...or engage in an enforcement campaign against Argentina...” 

Perhaps the American lawyers running Burford are inspired by New York hedge fund manager Paul Singer’s waging a 15-year battle with Argentina over defaulted bonds; taking control of a navy ship and trying to seize bank deposits and commercial contracts. Such determination may have contributed to his fund making $2.4 billion out of settlements – albeit a decade ago. 

Good luck getting billions out of a country with a CCC- credit rating  

Mind, the current international financial context is soaring public debts and inflation, with annual inflation in Argentina at over 100%. 

Last October, credit rating agency Fitch added a minus sign to its CCC rating of Argentina’s long-term sovereign credit, citing “severe macroeconomic imbalances and limited external liquidity, which increasingly undermine repayment capacity as foreign-currency debt service ramps up in the coming years.” 

Obtaining legal judgment in your favour is one thing, exacting compensation due may be quite another. Admittedly, Argentina continues to make interest payments to international governments to the tune of $14 billion a year.  

A year ago, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved $44 billion of funding over 30 months to improve Argentina’s public finances and reduce persistent high inflation. I would be surprised if that does not involve over-seeing by the IMF to ensure key priorities be met. Will Argentina have headroom to settle on court damages even if it wants to? 

A best-case scenario seems negotiating what can be paid say over 10 years. The potential prize for Burford shareholders could, however, be a series of special dividends also retaining funds for re-investment in legal cases.  

If Argentina wants to show it respects international judgments, then even a keenly-fought appeal could end up with material payments to Burford.  

All considered, wait for the 2022 accounts 

The stock’s easing back shows it remains highly reactive, so unless short-sellers opt to close their positions, perhaps it’s better to let euphoria over the Petersen ruling pass. 

Similarly, it could react to much negative adjustment in net assets when the annual results are published after negotiations conclude with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. For what net assets are worth as a valuation anchor here, the last accounted were around 570p a share. But the 16 March update said the 2022 annual report may differ materially from prior disclosures as a result of a new fair value methodology.  

If not published by end-April, then under US rules on senior debt this would constitute a default – Burford says it would require refinancing if a waiver is not granted. 

I would therefore tend to conclude on a “Hold” stance pending the results, yet a possible initial drop in reaction to re-stating accounts and/or a debt default could provide chance to buy. 

With court cases back under way, the next few years should be value-accretive – even if Argentina becomes drawn out, like I expect. Burford is also potentially useful in a portfolio of AIM stocks held for at least two years and at death, as a means to Business Property Relief where no inheritance tax is due. On a medium-term speculative view, therefore: Buy. 

Edmond Jackson is a freelance contributor and not a direct employee of interactive investor.

These articles are provided for information purposes only.  Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties.  The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.

Disclosure

We use a combination of fundamental and technical analysis in forming our view as to the valuation and prospects of an investment. Where relevant we have set out those particular matters we think are important in the above article, but further detail can be found here.

Please note that our article on this investment should not be considered to be a regular publication.

Details of all recommendations issued by ii during the previous 12-month period can be found here.

ii adheres to a strict code of conduct.  Contributors may hold shares or have other interests in companies included in these portfolios, which could create a conflict of interests. Contributors intending to write about any financial instruments in which they have an interest are required to disclose such interest to ii and in the article itself. ii will at all times consider whether such interest impairs the objectivity of the recommendation.

In addition, individuals involved in the production of investment articles are subject to a personal account dealing restriction, which prevents them from placing a transaction in the specified instrument(s) for a period before and for five working days after such publication. This is to avoid personal interests conflicting with the interests of the recipients of those investment articles.

Related Categories

    AIM & small cap sharesTrading tips and ideasTax

Get more news and expert articles direct to your inbox