Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income (SEQI)
01/12/2025
Results analysis from Kepler Trust Intelligence
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income (SEQI) has reported strong results for the half year ending 30/09/2025. The NAV total return when annualised was 10.1%, well in excess of the targeted gross portfolio return of 8-9%. The NAV per share itself was up 1.2% to 93.67p, and dividends of 3.44p were paid or declared, consistent with the full year target of 6.875p. These dividends are fully cash covered and as of 27/11/2025 the prospective yield on the shares was 8.6%. Meanwhile, there is pull-to-par upside of 3.1p per share within the current portfolio valuation. Share price total returns were 7.7%; despite dividends delivering a high share price yield, the price itself fell slightly from 78.3p to 77.9p as the discount widened from 15.4% to 16.8%. The management team have continued to invest in new loans at highly attractive rates, recycling £213m into new investments at a weighted average yield-to-maturity of 8.9%. One shift has been to reduce the weighting to the US in the light of policy uncertainty on renewables and tariffs. New loans have been made in the EU and the UK instead. Meanwhile, exposure to data centres has come down as the team react to weakening covenants in a crowded trade and look to reallocate to areas more attractive on a risk/reward basis.
Kepler View
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income's (SEQI) portfolio of conservatively managed infrastructure loans looks like an attractive source of yield in the current environment. With economic risks front and centre, we think a portfolio mostly invested in senior secured loans (57%) and in non-cyclical but economically-vital sectors looks likely to prove resilient. Looking forward, the huge demand for infrastructure in a low growth world is not currently being satisfied by the supply of capital, creating a strong technical picture for an investment via a specialist-managed portfolio with the scale to participate in large projects while being highly diversified across assets, industries and themes.
We think the portfolio is benefitting from the relatively short maturity of the loans the team make, with the current weighted average life being just 3.2 years. Lending at shorter maturities has allowed agility in portfolio positioning. As well as the geographical move from the US to Europe, it has facilitated first entry into the data centre market, and more recently a dialling back of exposure as investors crowd in. The team highlight the weakening of covenants as the key to their decision to reduce exposure to data centres during the AI craze, which speaks to the defensiveness of approach which we think should appeal to income investors looking to invest in the private debt markets.
Falling base rates present a challenge, but with a high proportion of investments fixed rate or hedged and the team reporting spreads remaining at healthy levels, the outlook for the dividend looks stable to us, particularly when considering the uninvested cash and gearing, and the spend on buybacks which could be redirected. For new investors we think the 16% discount adds to the attractions, boosting the dividend yield and providing scope for a capital return over time on top of the pull-to-par effect in the NAV which is expected to deliver a gain to NAV of 3.1p by 2028.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT
Visit Kepler Trust Intelligence for more high quality independent investment trust research.
Important information
This report has been issued by Kepler Partners LLP. The analyst who has prepared this report is aware that Kepler Partners LLP has a relationship with the company covered in this report and/or a conflict of interest which may impair the objectivity of the research.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested when you decide to sell your investments. It is strongly recommended that if you are a private investor independent financial advice should be taken before making any investment or financial decision.
Kepler Partners is not authorised to make recommendations to retail clients. This report has been issued by Kepler Partners LLP, is based on factual information only, is solely for information purposes only and any views contained in it must not be construed as investment or tax advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or take any action in relation to any investment.
The information provided on this website is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject Kepler Partners LLP to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. In particular, this website is exclusively for non-US Persons. Persons who access this information are required to inform themselves and to comply with any such restrictions.
The information contained in this website is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by any person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and no responsibility or liability is accepted for the accuracy or sufficiency of any of the information, for any errors, omissions or misstatements, negligent or otherwise. Any views and opinions, whilst given in good faith, are subject to change without notice.
This is not an official confirmation of terms and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell or take any action in relation to any investment mentioned herein. Any prices or quotations contained herein are indicative only.
Kepler Partners LLP (including its partners, employees and representatives) or a connected person may have positions in or options on the securities detailed in this report, and may buy, sell or offer to purchase or sell such securities from time to time, but will at all times be subject to restrictions imposed by the firm's internal rules. A copy of the firm's Conflict of Interest policy is available on request.
PLEASE SEE ALSO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Kepler Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 480590), registered in England and Wales at 70 Conduit Street, London W1S 2GF with registered number OC334771.