EverEdge Intangible Benchmark Index™

In a world in which intangible assets are growing of importance every day, the EverEdge Intangible Benchmark Index provides the value investor with an overview of which countries and sectors abound of companies that are superior at creating and nurturing intangible assets.  

By using enterprise value, the Index adds, to the most common measures based on market capitalisation, a new level of sophistication in our understanding of intangible assets by taking into consideration a company’s financing choices.

With innovation and technology as the driving forces behind many growth companies, it is increasingly important for companies to acquire and develop intangible assets as part of their business strategy.  This report highlights the value of IA and how it helps investors to build a more comprehensive understanding of a company’s value and growth potential.

SGX continues to support Singapore’s capital markets and ecosystem with a robust listing platform for new economy and growth companies that have strong IA. The recent launch of the SGX SPAC Listing Framework, the first of its kind in Asia, will provide more funding pathways and add greater vibrancy to the marketplace. 

Intangible Assets (IA) are becoming increasingly important drivers of enterprise value. Yet, many enterprises may not be fully aware of the value that IA can bring. The inaugural EverEdge Intangible Benchmark Index (EIBI) is a resource that can be used by not just enterprises but also for financiers as they are key enablers in the IA value creation chain. With greater awareness and appreciation of the value of IA, stakeholders will be able to make more informed decisions in commercialising IA.

This report reinforces how understanding intangible assets can help investors to better identify the source of a company’s value, measure and quantify this value and to assess how long such value will persist. As the importance of intangible assets grows, investors that understand these assets will be in a better position to more accurately identify both current and future risks and opportunities.

Historically physical assets have been the main driver behind the value; however, we now live in an age where digital or intangible assets have proven to be more valuable. Banks generally lend money on cash flow and assets, never taking into consideration the intangible asset that might have less risk or could be sold more than once should things go wrong. Companies that truly understand their digital footprint their intangible assets have thrived over the last few decades. 

With the world in lockdown companies will need to be very clear on their digital narrative and how the intangible part of the business adds value, how to leverage it and commercialize it. A great example of this is NFTs, you only need to look at Open Sea to see the huge demand for art in a digital context. The world is changing its time to look at things differently.”

Singapore continues to attract capital flows as it is regarded as a safe, stable and “rules of law” based jurisdiction. However, this also means that investors and high net worth individuals are indeed seeking the ‘safer’ options and may not be prepared to take risks with their Singapore-placed funds. Hence the majority of these funds may not be deployed in entities which have a predominantly intangible asset based-balance sheet. This, coupled with the lower valuations for intangible asset-based entities in Singapore, will lead to difficulties in attracting potential listings for such entities on the SGX.

The recent launch of the SPACS regime by the SGX may provide some impetus and boost for this sector but its early days still. Leaving aside listings on the SGX, it is still very encouraging to note that more funds are being invested in several unlisted intangible assets-based entities in Singapore. The trend of increasing investments into intangible asset-based companies in Singapore will most likely continue into 2022, despite of (and possibly due to) the Covid-19 pandemic.

Forty years ago, banks and other financial institutions could largely ignore intangible assets. Not so today. In a truly digitised economy, it is now essential for capital providers to understand both the value of intangibles and the criteria by which to lend against them. This is no short-term trend: as capital flows increase and intangibles continue to represent an ever greater share of company value understanding and managing intangible assets is now mission critical.

In my mind, what regulatory bodies refer to as non-financial risks are the those associated with intangible assets. With the increasing dominance of intangible assets as driver of enterprise value, it is becoming more important that the full spectrum of non-financial risks are properly measured, mitigated and monitored by organisations.