Ridley is a company that WAM named that it was confident about the outlook.
The post 2 small-cap ASX shares this fund manager is ‘confident’ about appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia. –
Fund manager Wilson Asset Management (WAM) recently identified two top small-cap ASX shares in one of the portfolios it manages that look promising.
WAM operates several listed investment companies (LICs). Some focus on larger companies like WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) and WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM).
Thereâs also one called WAM Microcap Limited (ASX: WMI) which focuses on small-cap ASX shares with a market capitalisation under $300 million at acquisition.
WAM says WAM Microcap targets âthe most exciting undervalued growth opportunities in the Australian microcap marketâ.
These are the two small-cap ASX shares the fund manager outlined in its most recent monthly update:
Ridley Corporation Ltd (ASX: RIC)
Ridley is described as Australiaâs largest commercial provider of high-performance animal nutrition solutions.
The fund manager said that in June, Ridley Corporation attracted attention from other companies looking to purchase its shares after speculation that AGR Partners, a substantial shareholder of the business, is looking to exit.
At the end of May, Ridley Corporation announced its FY23 to FY25 growth plan which supports the ongoing earnings momentum of the business.
WAM said the framework for Ridley Corporationâs capital allocation under its growth plan is expected to âallow the company to deliver a total shareholder return (TSR) of over 15% per annumâ and an increase in the indicative dividend payment ratio from between 40% to 60%, to 50% to 70% of net profit after tax (NPAT).
The fund manager said that it remained âconfidentâ in the outlook for Ridley Corporation and its CEO Quinton Hildebrand who, in WAMâs view, has âexecuted stronglyâ to date by divesting unprofitable business units and structurally lowering costs, helping organic growth.
It must be noted that WAM recently sold shares on 19 July 2022, but it has been regularly buying (and selling) shares of Ridley during 2022.
Close The Loop Inc (ASX: CLG)
This ASX small-cap share is described as an end-to-end solutions provider from design and manufacturing through to the collection and recycling of waste products across a variety of markets.
WAM noted that the company provided a trading update ahead of its first investor day and presentation. In that trading update, the company upgraded its FY22 revenue forecast to $82 million and increased its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) forecast to $13.6 million.
What caused this upgrade? The fund manager explained it was due to âstrong organic growth across all divisionsâ, particularly in the US and Europe packaging and recycling segment.
WAM pointed out that there is a âstrong outlookâ for the small-cap ASX share, with an annual revenue run-rate of over $100 million. Growth is expected to be further increased through add-on acquisitions. Non-binding term sheets had been signed for three acquisitions. The company recently announced the acquisition of Alliance Paper.
The fund manager said Close The Loop is âunder-researched with no broker coverage and over time, this provides a catalyst to drive a further share price re-rating.â
The post 2 small-cap ASX shares this fund manager is ‘confident’ about appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in WAM MICRO FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
