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Original-Research: MLP - from NuWays AG

Classification of NuWays AG to MLP

Company Name: MLP

ISIN: DE0006569908

Reason for the research: Update

Recommendation: Kaufen

from: 04.04.2024

Target price: EUR 12.00

Target price on sight of: 12 Monaten

Last rating change:

Analyst: Henry Wendisch

Dry spell's over: Comeback of performance fees; chg. est.

For the first time since Q4 2021, MLP looks set to record performance fees

of EUR 7m in Q1, as capital markets have developed favourably, pushing FERI's

funds to new high water marks. In detail:

FERI's largest fund, the EquityFlex, surged 11.5% during Q1, outperforming

the benchmark by 1.5pp (S&P500: +10% in Q1). Performance based compensation

amounts to 15% of that outperformance and given EquityFlex' volume of EUR

1.36bn ($ 1.46bn), we should see EUR 2.9m of performance fees.

The second largest fund (OptoFlex) closed 6.1% above its old ATH, exceeding

the EUR STR of 3.9% (Optoflex' Benchmark) by 2.1pp. MLP also receives 15% of

that outperformance as performance fees, which should come in at EUR 4.1m,

based on Optoflex' fund size of EUR 1.3bn.

As we assume 25% of performance fees to be paid out as fund managers'

bonuses, we expect an EBIT contribution of EUR 5.3m in Q1. Next to Wealth

Management, MLP should also continue to benefit from (1) the ongoing strong

Banking business and (2) regulatory and market improvements in real estate:

(1) ECB interest rates have not been cut in Q1 and ECB signals to not trim

rates in the near future. Hence, interest income should remain high during

FY'24e (eNuW: EUR 69m) as elevated rates act with a full-year effect in '24.

Further upside to our estimate should emerge, as our initially assumed

average interest rate of 3.8% for FY'24 (Q1: 4.0%, Q2: 4.0%; Q3: 3.8% and

Q4: 3.5%) seems conservative, as Q4'23 yielded an interest rate of 4.6%

(annualized) and rates have been unchanged since then.

(2) Investing in newly built real estate has become incrementally more

attractive for investors thanks to the recently passed

'Wachstumschancengesetz', changing the depreciation regime from linear to

degressive. This should support MLP's RE development business (focus on

retirement homes) which can be brokered to MLP's above average wealthy

customers. This adds to slight upturn from low levels in the RE market,

thanks to a decline in 10y fixed rate mortgages from 4.2% in Nov'23 to now

3.6%.

In sum, MLP benefits from three drivers at once and should start well into

the year. Hence, we reiterate our BUY recommendation and raise our PT to EUR

12.00 (old: EUR 11.00), based on FCFY'24e.

You can download the research here:

http://www.more-ir.de/d/29305.pdf

For additional information visit our website

www.nuways-ag.com/research.

Contact for questions

Die Analyse oder weiterführende Informationen zu dieser können Sie hier downloaden: www.nuways-ag.com/research.

NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

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Offenlegung möglicher Interessenskonflikte nach § 85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollständigen Analyse.

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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research.

The result of this research does not constitute investment advice

or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.

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