Wealth of opportunity

AIM-listed W.H. Ireland Group (LSE: WHI) is up 2.41% today after posting a 24% rise in group revenue to £14.9m in Monday’s interim results, marking a confident rebound after recent hesitancy.

Its share price is now up almost 60% from 91p to 145p over 12 months, despite reporting a pre-tax loss of £3.03m in February. Today’s interims for the six months to 31 May show group revenue up 24% to £14.9m, with the highlight a 239% rise in corporate and institutional broking transaction revenue to £2.8m. Private wealth management fee income rose 23% to £5.4m.

Right lines

As well as restoring profitability, the firm has bolstered its cash balance through the previously announced sale of its Manchester office. Recurring revenues are now at 45% of total revenues, with the company boasting a strong business pipeline and a rise in private wealth management assets under management to £3.1bn. Operating profit before exceptional items was £400,000.

A relatively small-scale wealth manager like this, with a total market cap of around £41m, is always going to be risky, but right now the trajectory looks promising.

Retail therapy

The market was less excited by today’s update from McColl’s Retail Group (LSE: MCLS), its share price dipping 0.96% in early trading. However, nor was it overly concerned by the fact that profits have nearly halved, from £8.2m in 2016 to £4.5m, viewing this as an exceptional one-off.

The £237m convenience retailer’s interim results for the 26-week period to 28 May covers a time of change and opportunity as the group integrates 298 new convenience stores acquired from the Co-op at a cost of £117m. Total revenue rose 7.6% to £504.8m, up from £469.2m in 2016, as the new stores steadily opened.

Bring me sunshine

However, like-for-like sales were flat, rising just 0.2% in the first half, although accelerating to 1.4% in Q2 on the back of favourable weather, which boosted alcohol and grocery sales. Performance in newly converted stores rose a healthier 2.8% in H1, and an even better 3.8% in Q2. Gross margins crept up 90 basis points to 25.4%. Progress may be slow, but it is steady.

That sharp drop in pre-tax profits was down to £1.3m of store pre-opening costs, and £2.3m of exceptional costs, mostly professional fees and write-off of historical banking fees resulting from the Co-op acquisition and refinancing. Markets retain their faith in the firm’s growth story, which has seen the stock rise 38% in the last year.

The Plus side

McColl’s chief executive Jonathan Miller expects further profit and sales growth from the integrated stores in the second half of the year, with 700,000 customers now holding its Plus loyalty card. “As the wider convenience and wholesale sector evolves and continues to grow, McColl’s is in a strong position to benefit,” Miller concluded. 

Trading at 16.25 times earnings, McColl’s is priced for further growth, plus you get an attractive 4.95% yield as well.

Clearly, though, there are still stocks which could be worth buying. Could now be the right time to buy these two smaller companies?

Uncertain outlook

Reporting on Wednesday was wealth manager WH Ireland (LSE: WHI). The first half of its current financial year has seen progress made with its strategy. Both of its main divisions have reported strong momentum in absolute terms, and also when compared to the same period in the previous year.

Notably, the company’s Corporate and Institutional Broking division has increased its transactional revenue. Its pipeline of new business is at its highest level for several years, which suggests the company’s strategy is performing relatively well. Similarly, the company’s Private Wealth Management division has improved its client proposition, with its assets under management and administration increased to over £3bn.

Looking ahead, WH Ireland faces an uncertain future. The outlook for the UK economy remains difficult to predict, with higher political risk, a volatile currency and rising inflation causing some difficulties for the economy. The potential for a higher interest rate may also hurt economic growth. Therefore, while WH Ireland is making progress with its current strategy, trading conditions may worsen. As such, buying a larger and better-diversified sector peer may be a superior option for investors thinking about their retirement plans.

Fully valued?

Pensions consultancy and administration services provider Mattioli Woods (LSE: MTW) has delivered a relatively robust earnings growth performance in recent years. Its earnings have increased at an annualised rate of almost 10% during the last four years, which shows that the company’s strategy has been working well.

Looking ahead, more growth is forecast. The company is expected to report a rise in its bottom line of 10% in the current financial year, followed by further growth of 9% next year, This could help to keep investor sentiment relatively bullish after a share price gain of 15% in the last year.

However, when it comes to capital growth potential, Mattioli Woods may have somewhat limited appeal. Its shares appear to be fully valued at the present time. For example, they trade on a price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 2, which suggests they may struggle to perform well on a relative basis over the medium term.

Certainly, the business seems to be performing well. However, with a high valuation the company lacks value appeal. Dividend growth potential could be high, since the company pays out just 42% of profit as a dividend. However, with a dividend yield of just 2%, there may be better options available elsewhere.