The fund manager Wilson Asset Management (WAM) has told investors about two compelling ASX shares that it has in its portfolio.
WAM operates several listed investment companies (LICs). Some, like WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE), focus on larger companies.
There's also one called WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM) which targets "the most compelling undervalued growth opportunities in the Australian market".
The WAM Capital portfolio has delivered an investment return of 16.7% per annum since its inception in August 1999, before fees, expenses and taxes. This gross return outperformed the All Ordinaries Total Accumulation Index (ASX: XAOA) return of 8.7% per annum over the same timeframe.
These are the two ASX shares that WAM Capital outlined in its most recent monthly update:
Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)
Tuas was created after the merger between TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchison Australia last year.
In its first financial year, Tuas revealed it tripled its subscriptions to reach a total of 392,000 paid active subscriptions on 31 July 2021. It reached a market share of 4.5%.
The subscription growth underpinned "strong" revenue growth for the ASX share, increasing by SG$30 million since October 2020 to SG$34.3 million while also enabling the company to achieve breakeven earnings ahead of market expectations.
TPG Singapore, the operational business of the group, achieved positive earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of S$0.9 million for the 12 months to 31 July 2021.
WAM says Tuas is set to continue growing as it "tracks positively" in FY22. The fund manager believes the market is yet to fully appreciate the incremental operating leverage as further subscribers are added to the largely fixed cost base.
Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH)
WAM described MAAS Group as a leading independent and vertically integrated construction materials, equipment, and services provider with a property development arm.
The fund manager pointed out that in September the ASX share announced it had signed an agreement for the acquisition of Earth Commodities hard-rock quarry operation in Gladstone, enabling the company to realise synergies with its Central Queensland construction materials business and increase its growth opportunities in the year ahead.
WAM noted the strategically located quarry assets, significant unutilised capacity, and a substantial pipeline of infrastructure spending expected over the next three to five years.
It's that combination of things that makes the fund manager believe the organic growth outlook for the business is compelling and expects this to be further increased by bolt-on acquisitions. The investment team believes there is potential for corporate action within the property arm.
