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Stock Analysis & ValuationPrivate Equity Holding AG (PEHN.SW)

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CHF61.50
Sector Valuation Confidence Level
High
Valuation methodValue, CHFUpside, %
Artificial intelligence (AI)169.60176
Intrinsic value (DCF)91.3949
Graham-Dodd Method154.80152
Graham Formulan/a

Strategic Investment Analysis

Company Overview

Private Equity Holding AG (PEHN.SW) is a Switzerland-based investment firm specializing in private equity fund-of-funds, secondary indirect investments, and selective direct co-investments. The company strategically invests in venture capital, buyout, special situation, secondary, and balanced funds, avoiding early-stage venture and mega-buyout funds. With a strong focus on technology sectors—including internet, telecommunications, IT, life sciences, semiconductors, and electronics—PEHN.SW targets mid-to-late-stage ventures, middle-market buyouts, and distressed opportunities. Geographically, the firm prioritizes European developed markets (Switzerland, Germany, France, UK), Central and Eastern Europe, Israel, and the U.S. Its investment approach emphasizes developmental-stage companies with over $1 million in revenue, often through offshore subsidiaries. Listed on the Swiss Exchange (SIX), PEHN.SW offers investors diversified exposure to high-growth private equity assets while maintaining a disciplined risk profile.

Investment Summary

Private Equity Holding AG presents a niche investment opportunity in the private equity fund-of-funds space, with a conservative beta of 0.2 suggesting lower volatility relative to broader markets. The firm reported solid FY2024 net income of CHF 19.4 million (EPS: CHF 7.8) and a dividend yield of ~1.3% (CHF 1/share). However, negative operating cash flow (-CHF 1.3 million) and high debt (CHF 54.7 million vs. minimal cash reserves) raise liquidity concerns. Its focus on mid-market and tech-oriented private equity provides diversification but exposes investors to sector-specific risks. The fund’s geographic concentration in Europe may limit upside compared to U.S.-centric peers. Valuation appears reasonable at ~8.5x P/E, but the illiquid nature of underlying assets warrants caution.

Competitive Analysis

Private Equity Holding AG differentiates itself through a specialized fund-of-funds model that combines diversification with selective direct co-investments, reducing reliance on single-fund performance. Its avoidance of high-risk early-stage ventures and mega-buyouts aligns with a conservative risk appetite, appealing to investors seeking stable private equity exposure. The firm’s focus on European mid-market tech and life sciences leverages regional expertise but faces stiff competition from larger global players with deeper pockets. PEHN.SW’s offshore subsidiary structure optimizes tax efficiency but complicates transparency. While its CHF 170 million market cap limits scalability, the firm’s concentrated portfolio (Switzerland/Germany-heavy) offers localized insights. However, its lack of early-stage investments may cap upside in high-growth segments, and the secondary market focus could lag in bullish PE cycles. The debt-heavy balance sheet contrasts with peers’ stronger liquidity positions.

Major Competitors

  • Partners Group Holding AG (PGHN.SW): Partners Group dominates with a $40B+ AUM global platform, offering broader private market strategies (infrastructure, real estate) beyond PEHN.SW’s niche. Its direct investment capability and institutional scale outperform PEHN.SW’s fund-of-funds model, but higher fees and less focus on mid-market tech reduce flexibility.
  • EQT AB (EQT.ST): EQT’s Nordic roots and €100B+ AUM provide pan-European reach, excelling in healthcare and tech buyouts. Unlike PEHN.SW, EQT actively manages mega-funds but lacks PEHN.SW’s secondary market specialization. Its listed structure offers liquidity but higher volatility.
  • Apollo Global Management (APO): Apollo’s $600B+ AUM and credit-focused strategy dwarf PEHN.SW’s capabilities, with superior distressed asset expertise. However, its U.S. bias and complex structure lack PEHN.SW’s European mid-market agility. Apollo’s yield-driven approach contrasts with PEHN.SW’s growth-oriented tech focus.
  • Blackstone Inc. (BX): Blackstone’s $1T+ AUM and diversified alternatives platform overshadow PEHN.SW’s niche. Its brand power attracts top-tier funds, but PEHN.SW’s smaller scale allows for curated fund access in underserved European tech segments. Blackstone’s mega-deal focus diverges from PEHN.SW’s middle-market strategy.
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