Vpc Specialty Lending In... Share Discussion Threads

[davebowler] 17/10/2016 11:23

LIBERUM;

Peer-to-peer lending funds
Lending Club raises rates

Event
Lending Club released an update on Friday which included amendments to the interest rates it charges on loans and tighter credit policies. This follows similar measures which were announced in June.

Lending Club continues to observe higher delinquencies in populations with high levels of debt and lower credit scores. The trend is most notable in higher risk loan grades (mainly E,F and G which account for 12% of the overall platform volume). Higher delinquencies are evident in 2015 and early 2016 vintages.

Interest rates on Lending Club loans will increase by a weighted average of 26bps with increases concentrated in Grades F and G with only marginal changes to other grades.

Liberum view
Lending Club's statements regarding the credit performance of the loans is is supported by the loan book data. There has been a divergence in the credit performance of the higher and lower quality loans. Delinquency rates on the higher risk loans (E, F and G) from the 2015 vintage have risen more on a relative basis in comparison to the better quality loans (A, B, C and D) of the same vintage. This trend can also be seen in diverging performance of the gross charge off rates of the various loan grades.


P2P Global Investments invests in Lending Club loans and the majority of its capital is allocated to the better quality loans (graded A-C). The average coupon on the company's loans is 10.8%. As a barometer of the level of risk the company typically takes, the average interest rate on the 36 & 60 month loans from Lending Club's B-graded loans is 10.7%. The average coupon on VPC Specialty Lending's loans is 15.8% and it has experienced credit performance issues with a number of its US investments including Avant (higher risk US consumer lending) and Funding Circle's US loans (SME).

[davebowler] 29/9/2016 14:33

Stifel;
Focus moves to balance sheet loans, 20% discount offers value
A number of factors have meant that the fund has not performed according to our, or management’s expectations over 1H 2016. Hopefully, the worst is behind it and there is the possibility that some of the impairments could recover should default rates improve. However, although the 20% discount and 7.5% yield are attractive, in our view, we retain our Neutral recommendation. We would like the dividend run rate to move closer to the targeted levels of 8pps (without support from capital) and to get more visibility on the likely performance.
1.5% NAV total return over 1H. The fund delivered an NAV total return of 1.5% over the six months to 30/06/16. The returns were below expectations as the fund encountered a number of issues. These included currency volatility around the referendum, forcing the fund to post an increasing amount of cash collateral for their currency swaps (£25m at 30/06/16). The manager says that whilst the majority of the loan portfolio performed in line with expectations, some holdings experienced higher than expected losses, holding back the NAV performance. Key issues were with underperforming loans from Funding Circle US as well as the markdown of the residual interest of three securitisations of Avant loans. We are hopeful that some of the NAV markdowns may unwind as the loans mature, especially if the rate of increase in defaults slows.

Capital used to support dividend. Over 1H, the fund has announced dividends of 3pps. The dividends were only 77% covered by revenues with the remainder supported from capital. The manager says they are hopeful, that as portfolio allocation to balance sheet loans increases, revenue levels will improve and be less volatile. The dividend run rate is below the 8pps dividend targeted when the fund launched due to the issues mentioned above. At the current run rate, the fund is on track to pay dividend of 6pps for 2016 at the bottom end of our forecasted range 6p to 7.5p. At a 6p outturn the shares would be on a c7.5% yield.

Focusing more on balance sheet loans. Balance sheet loans made up 39% of the portfolio at the end of July. These have had no impairments and have been paying coupons of 12% to 16%. The management team say they plan to redeploy the majority of the principal amortisation of the whole loan portfolio into balance sheet investments until they become a significant part of the portfolio. As this part of the portfolio grows, it should help reduce the volatility of the fund’s returns and income.

Positives & Negatives. Positives: (1) Attractive 20% discount; (2) Prospective estimated yield of 7.5%; (3) Returns should become less volatile as balance sheet loans allocation increases. Negatives: (1) 2016 dividends have been lower than expected; (2) Performance has been challenging relative to targeted returns despite the benign economic environment; (3) A significant portion of the dividend is being supported from capital.

[davebowler] 04/8/2016 09:29

Liberum;
VPC Specialty Lending
Avant and Funding Circle US loans weigh on Q2 performance

Event
VPC Specialty Lending's NAV rose 0.58% in June 2016 due to revenue returns (+0.27%) with the remainder from capital returns. NAV TR in Q2 2016 as a whole was 0.33% and the YTD return is 1.5%.

The NAV performance was impacted by a number of factors in the quarter including FX volatility following the referendum. This led to a significant level of cash drag on the portfolio as the company has held cash to cover collateral calls on the hedges.

The main reason for the underperformance in Q2 2016 was that certain positions experienced higher than expected losses. During May, the fund marked down holdings in certain tranches of ABS securitisations of Avant loans. The company's investments in Funding Circle US loans have continued to "substantially" underperform expectations. VSL stopped purchasing Funding Circle US loans in late 2015 so this portfolio will be amortised down. The majority of the whole loan portfolio performed in line with expectations and the balance sheet loans are performing well.

Liberum view
The NAV return performance in H1 2016 has been underwhelming and the company has experienced some issues (cash drag from FX volatility, short-term drag from new leverage facilities) that have also impacted its closest peer (P2P Global Investments). We note that both funds have recently taken steps to amend management agreements with P2PGI cutting the fee it charges on levered assets to 0.5% (from 1%) and VSL's manager will now use 20% of the monthly management fee to acquire shares. We also believe VSL should begin to buy shares back at the current level to demonstrate confidence in the underlying business.

One of the more interesting aspects of yesterday's quarterly newsletter were the comments on the performance of Avant loans and Funding Circle's US loans. The Avant loans are relatively high-risk loans and the increased default expectations mirrors recent data on Lending Club's higher risk loans which have experienced increased default rates in loans graded E through G.

The comments on Funding Circle's US loans may have a negative read-across for Funding Circle Income Fund (FCIF) which has 24% of its portfolio is US loans. FCIF's performance to date has been slightly ahead of expectations but the portfolio is still relatively unseasoned.

VSL currently trades on a 19% discount to NAV compared to an average discount of 7.3% for the sector.

[keith2006] 12/7/2016 16:30

Thanks for all updates dave much appreciated

[davebowler] 06/7/2016 12:09

Liberum;
Event
VPC Specialty Lending Investments' NAV was impacted by the write-down of the company's holdings in tranches of ABS securitisations. NAV per share at 31 May 2016 was 98.3p which equates to a loss of -0.62% for the month after adjusting for dividends.

The revenue return was 0.38% which was offset by a capital loss of -1.00% due to the ABS positions and losses related to currency fluctuations. The writedown of the ABS investments occurred as a result of higher than anticipated losses within the loan portfolio leading to a lower than projected yield of those assets. NAV performance was also impacted slightly as a result of cash drag due to margin requirements on the company's currency hedges.

Separately, the company also announced a change to the investment management agreement and Victory Park Capital Advisors will invest 20% of its monthly management fee in shares in the company going forward, provided that the shares are trading at a discount to NAV.

Liberum view
The company has not disclosed what ABS investments have been marked down or what platform the underlying loans relate to. The company has exposure to a number of securitisations including one which is supported by a $175m pool of consumer loans originated by Avant (consumer lending platform). The main concern is the increase in anticipated losses within the loan portfolio and yesterday's statement could have done more to address whether the manager regards this as part of a wider trend or if it relates to a specific sub-sector or platform.

VPC Specialty Lending and P2PGI had generated similar monthly returns in 2016 up until the end of April but there was a significant divergence in May (Figure 1). VPC Specialty Lending's YTD NAV total return is 0.9% vs. 2.1% for P2PGI. The funds have broadly similar exposure in terms of sector and geography although several of the underlying platforms are different. Monthly returns in 2016 have been muted as a result of by cash drag and non-utilisation fees as the funds gear up. Victory Park currently trades on a 17.6% discount to NAV compared to 20.4% for P2PGI.

[davebowler] 26/5/2016 13:07

RNS;
25 May 2016

VPC Specialty Lending Investments PLC

(the "Company")

DIVIDEND DECLARATION AND UPDATE

During the quarter, the Company's revenue return was 1.31p. This is below the targeted annualised dividend due to a number of factors, including the use of leverage facilities and securitisations which incurred fees and costs, completed securitisations and cash drag which caused a deferral of residual income, and margin requirements which caused an FX margin impact. The foregoing are highlighted in more detail in the quarterly letter for Q1 2016 that was published on 6 May 2016.

The weighted average gross coupon of the invested portfolio is within expectations at approximately 14.73% as of 31 March 2016. The Company has selectively accessed the securitisation market and added leverage to certain assets in the portfolio. These transactions resulted in an increased level of cash pending reinvestment, which has impacted the Company's performance and its ability to meet the dividend target in the short term. For example, the Company was substantially fully invested on 29 January 2016, but was only 72% invested at 31 March 2016 after closing a securitisation transaction and a leverage facility in February and March, respectively. The Company believes that these steps will position the Company for stronger performance over the longer term and allow the Company to invest in new and existing platforms and further diversify the portfolio.

Taking the above factors into account, the Board of Directors of the Company is declaring an interim dividend of 1.50 pence per share for the three month period to 31 March 2016, including 0.19p contributed from the Company's other distributable reserves. The dividend will be paid on 30 June 2016 to shareholders on the register as at 3 June 2016. The ex-dividend date is 2 June 2016.

The Company has elected to designate all of the interim dividend for the period to 31 March 2016 as an interest distribution to its shareholders. In doing so, the Company is taking advantage of UK tax treatment by "streaming" income from interest-bearing investments into dividends that will be taxed in the hands of shareholders as interest income.

Investors who are eligible to receive the distribution without deduction of UK tax should complete the Declaration of Eligibility Form which can be found on the Company's website: hxxp://vpcspecialtylending.com/vpc-pdf/gross-interest-distributions-declaration-of-eligibility-form/ and return the forms to Capita Asset Services, at the address detailed in the form, promptly. The form must be received no later than 1 June 2016 to be eligible for this dividen

[mad foetus] 18/5/2016 11:49

Stifel initiated today with a Buy rating but no price target

[davebowler] 09/5/2016 14:03

Jefferies;
VSL has released a March factsheet and an inaugural quarterly letter. These offer additional disclosures, and much needed colour on recent performance.


Additional disclosures: The disclosure of the yield on the portfolio, helpfully breaking it down between marketplace and balance sheet loans, aids comparison with peer P2P Global Investments (P2P). For example, VSL's marketplace loans yielded 16.2% (gross of any reserving - see the later paragraph) at the end of March, versus 10.4% for P2P. While VSL's balance sheet loans drag the yield on the overall portfolio down to 14.7%, they appear to offer a better risk/reward trade off than the 'first loss' marketplace loans. Elsewhere, we note there is little material difference between the two funds in terms of the average (marketplace) loan size, of $9,503 for VSL versus $7,993 for P2P, nor in the weighted average life of the loans, of 1.5 years for VSL versus 1.77 years for P2P.


Monthly NAV accruing at half the target return run rate: VSL's 41bps NAV performance reported for March mirrors that from February, and is broadly half the 80bps monthly run rate needed for the fund to achieve its 10% p.a. target. If we factor in the above yield on the overall portfolio, the composition of the portfolio (including gearing and its expected cost), ongoing charges/fees, and expected defaults, this highlights an anticipated monthly return for March of 78bps. This crude estimate points to the yield on the portfolio being high enough to deliver the target return run rate, even with gearing below 1x (0.73x at 31/03/16), but that other factors - now listed in the quarterly letter - are disappointingly reducing the monthly return.


Factors dragging on performance: This list includes fees and costs incurred from closing leverage facilities/securitisations, deferred residual income from completed securitisations, cash drag from margin posted against currency hedges, and the influx of capital following the closure of facilities/securitisations. The obvious question is at what point, and to what degree, do these factors subside. This is understandably difficult to answer. However, many of the above factors appear, at least in part, to be linked to the Avant securitisation, and the recent slowdown in the market for securitisations may signal less use of such activity in the near to medium term. In fact, the letter highlights VPC allocating more capital to balance sheet loans in response. The deployment of cash will also be critical in driving better performance. Following the closure of the credit facility to gear Upstart loans (its fourth non-recourse leverage facility), VSL held 28% of its portfolio in cash at 31/03/16.


Reserving: We also note VSL's recent results offer a glimpse at the reserving on its loan book. As at 31/12/15, VSL had reserved for c.£7m of impairments, equivalent to approximately 1.5% of the overall loan book, meaning further impairments of this amount could occur before any impact to the NAV. In reality, the reserves are attributed to marketplace loans only, based on the default expectations of the originating platforms for particular loan risk grades, and so this buffer against rising impairments is effectively higher.


Dividend and buyback decisions? We would highlight two key decisions for the board, in our view. First, Friday's NAV revealed 1.32p of accrued income, against a 2p quarterly dividend target. While the portfolio yield highlights enough underlying income to support the dividend, we feel the board will need to decide on whether to continue to bridge this gap with distributions from capital. Second, the decision on whether to use buybacks in support of the current 7.5% discount presents a conundrum. The amortising nature of marketplace loans offers a cash flow profile that could easily support share buybacks, helping to underpin the discount, while providing some helpful near-term return accretion. Against this, the shareholder structure would pose a (not insurmountable) obstacle, and despite the volatile discount, it remains relatively early in the fund's life to begin to shrink it.

[wirralowl] 04/4/2016 12:02

I agree KPWF, with 0.33% and 0.41% in the first 2 months, looks like they're only on target to hit around 1.25% for the quarter, which is well short of the 2%+ they need to cover the 2p dividend target.
Might be already in the price now, but looks like the yield is more likely to be in the region of 5-6p pa, not 8p. Its a similar story with P2PG, though RDL does appear to be performing better (returning 0.48% & 0.75% in the same 2 months).

Think there are probably safer places to obtain a likely c5-6% yield so I've decided to sell out here.

[kpwf] 03/4/2016 16:23

The latest NAV (Cum Income) returns as shown on the February Monthly Report look disappointing to me and not enough to support an 8p annual dividend which is the stated target. It seems to me therefore that NAV (Ex Income) is likely to reduce as a result.

Does anybody agree with me or am I misinterpreting the figures?

[davebowler] 16/2/2016 16:09

hxxp://www.investmentweek.co.uk/investment-week/analysis/2446747/p2p-trusts-time-to-be-wary-or-snap-up-opportunities?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IW.Daily_RL.EU.A.U&utm_source=IW.DCM.Editors_Updates

[clivell] 14/12/2015 13:46

Why the downwards drift in the SP?

[davebowler] 12/11/2015 11:06

Jefferies;
VSL Dividend Declaration
VPC Specialty Lending Investments PLC (VSL LN) announced an interim dividend of 1.89pps for the three months to 30th September this morning. The dividend will be paid on 11th December to shareholders on the register on 20th November. The XD date is 19th November 2015.

This brings the total dividends declared since the IPO in March to 2.79pps.

The interim dividend will be designated as an interest distribution to take advantage of UK tax treatment by "streaming" income from interest-bearing investments into dividends that will be taxed in the hands of shareholders as interest income. Investors who are eligible to receive the distribution without deduction of UK tax should complete the Declaration of Eligibility Form which can be found on the Company’s website: hxxp://vpcspecialtylending.com/vpc-pdf/gross-interest-distributions-declaration-of-eligibility-form/ and return the forms to Capita Asset Services, at the address detailed in the form, promptly. The form must be received no later than 18 November 2015 to be eligible for this dividend.

VSL ords became substantially fully invested on 22nd July. Since that date, the Company states that the “yield on the portfolio has been in line with expectations”.

The C shares (VSLC LN) are now c.44% invested.

[wirralowl] 10/9/2015 19:18

Just noticed that despite my VPC being held in an ISA Account (with iWeb) they appear to have taken tax at 20%. Anyone else in the same boat, and is this correct? I did see the recent RNS (copied below), but even after that wasn't sure of the implications for people holding within an ISA. Are we entitled to the gross payment, and if so is the onus on us to claim it back or our broker? TIA

RNS Number : 9068V

VPC Specialty Lending Invest. PLC

13 August 2015

13 August 2015

VPC Specialty Lending Investments PLC

Dividend Declaration

The Board of Directors (the "Board") of VPC Specialty Lending Investments PLC (the "Company") (ticker: VSL) is pleased to announce that the Company has declared its first interim dividend of 0.9 pence per share for the period to 30 June 2015.

The dividend will be paid on 3 September 2015 to shareholders on the register as of 21 August 2015. The ex-dividend date is 20 August 2015.

The Company has elected to designate all of the interim dividend for the period to 30 June 2015 as an interest distribution to its shareholders. In doing so the Company is taking advantage of UK tax treatment by "streaming" income from interest-bearing investments into dividends that will be taxed in the hands of shareholders as interest income.

Investors who are eligible to receive the distribution without deduction of UK tax should complete the Declaration of Eligibility Form which can be found on the Company's website: hxxp://vpcspecialtylending.com/vpc-pdf/gross-interest-distributions-declaration-of-eligibility-form/ and return the forms to Capita Asset Services, at the address detailed in the form, promptly.

[davebowler] 27/8/2015 11:01

Liberum;
Specialist Finance

VPC Specialty Lending Investments (NR)
87% of capital deployed

Event
VPC issued a half year report for the period from 12 January 2015 to 30 June 2015 and reported deployment of 87% of the initial capital. As at 30 June 2015, VPC has invested with 16 Platforms (directly and indirectly through investments in other funds) originating consumer and small business loans across the U.S., U.K. and Europe.

Consumer exposure accounted for 74% of the invested portfolio, while small business exposure accounted for 26%. Investments in U.S. Platforms accounted for 85% of the invested portfolio, with the remainder being predominately UK-based loans. The 30 June 2015 NAV per share was 99.62 pence, representing a 1.66% return for the period since admission. VPC is trading at a 1.4% premium against June NAV.

[davebowler] 23/7/2015 15:32

Yes I did and P2P's 'C'share issue at £400m closed early yesterday due to excess demand.

[wirralowl] 02/7/2015 11:39

Hi Dave. Off topic, I see P2P are looking to raise up to £400m with another 'C' share issue. Are you going for it? I'm wary they might be reaching saturation point, having raised 3 times in a little over 12 months..?

[wirralowl] 02/7/2015 09:56

Many thnaks for the update, DB. All appears to be progressing very well here, particularly impressed with the speed they've been able to invest at and the fact that first dividend is due to be declared in August, with the 2p target likely to be achieved by the end of the following quarter.

Noted the comment about inclusion in ISA's, but I wasn't aware there was even an issue, having already bought mine in an ISA in early May.

[davebowler] 29/6/2015 10:24

Jefferies;
VSL this morning announced it has reached 87% portfolio investment. This remains ahead of the six-month target outlined for full capital deployment at the time of March's IPO, benefiting from the manager's series of contracted commitments. With VSL currently only trading on a 3.5% premium to the last announced NAV, this may provide a near-term catalyst for the shares to more fully reflect their dividend yield potential (8% on the 100p issue price).

Potential C share issue: VSL also today announced that, in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, it intends to proceed with a C share issue, anticipated to take place in September.


NAV performance: While it remains very early days in the life of the company, the returns so far look good. A NAV return of 0.63% was reported for April (annualising at 7.8%), with VSL only 54% invested by the month end, albeit fees weren't charged on cash. In addition to investing the IPO proceeds, the manager is also likely to be applying gearing to the marketplace loan portfolios/SPVs, which will further enhance returns.


Dividends: The April NAV highlighted the accrual of 0.5p of income per share. This looks in line with the expectation to declare a first dividend for the period from admission to 30 June 2015 (in August). Assuming full investment is reached shortly, we would expect the dividend to ramp up to the full 2p per quarter run rate for the following quarter.


Portfolio: In recent marketing, VSL confirmed 10 platform investments. Marketplace loans are purchased from five platforms: Avant, Funding Circle, OnDeck, Prosper and Upstart. And balance sheet loans are provided to five platforms: ADF, Avant, Borro, The Credit Junction and Kreditech. With there being a degree of overlap between VSL and its peer P2P Global Investments (Hold) in the platforms marketplace loans are purchased from, we see the balance sheet loans, which offer attractive risk and return characteristics, as key to the appeal of VSL.


Equity stakes: The portfolio also holds equity stakes in: ADF, Avant, Borro, The Credit Junction, Kreditech and Upstart, mostly in the form of warrants.


ISA eligibility: Following a recent HMRC rule change, VSL's shares are now eligible for ISA inclusion, with effect from 1 July 2015. Despite there having been some uncertainty on the ISA eligibility of VSL and its platform-based lending peers prior to the recent rule change, this is a welcome development. Until the launch of dedicated P2P ISAs for direct investment in marketplace loans, the date of which is still uncertain, VSL and peers will represent one of a limited number of ways to hold P2P loans within this tax-wrapper. Furthermore, once launched, dedicated P2P ISAs are likely to focus on a single platform to source loans from, while VSL and peers have the benefit of being able to invest across multiple platforms.