Investment Thesis:
- Global re-open and vaccine roll-out acts as leverage for IDP Education.
- The company is expected to be benefitted from margin expansion (computer- based IELTS), network expansion (latest inclusion of IELTS test centres in Ireland, Poland, Chile and Peru and student placement offices in Pakistan and Canada).
- IDP’s English Language Testing stream (IELTS) has a strong reputation as the world’s most trusted English language test for study, work and migration.
- Solid margin and strong earnings/revenue growth/strong cashflow generation is maintained by IDP.
- Strong management team.
- Growth opportunities at global level due to international student population and education industry.
- Introduction and planned roll out of online IELTS delivery to provide opportunities for stronger growth.
- Strong balance sheet, with high liquidity.
- Substantial margin opportunity is unlocked by potential restructuring with British Council
Key Risks:
- Periodic growth cannot be predicted with IDP’s business model
- Future economic lock-downs to Covid-19
- Risk of currency conversion
- In order to justify the valuations, high growth rate should be met
- Threat of a new entrant or competition from the existing players
Key Highlights:
- FY21 Earnings were impacted by the pandemic, with adjusted EBIT of $71.8m, which was down by 31% over the pcp (previous corresponding period).
- IELTS volumes were up 5% despite ongoing disruptions at the operational level due to the on-going pandemic and government-imposed restrictions.
- The placement volumes of students to countries except Australia reduced by 12% relative to FY20 in spite of the uncertainties that were associated with travel and physical learning
- Digital Marketing revenue jumped 8% to $30m driven by institutional clients looking up to IDP’s global digital platform for marketing and data insights.
- Strategic acquisition in a growth market in British Council’s IELTS operation in India for £130m, which is highly strategic for IDP and provides several benefits like increased exposure to the high-growth Indian IELTS market; simplified distribution arrangements providing the opportunity to simplify and improve the delivery of IELTS to test takers in India.
- The highlights by segments are stated as below:
- English Language Testing: Revenue of $325.6m, which was up by 8%
- Student Placement: Revenue of $143.3, was 22% lower; for Australia, revenue was 34% weaker at $59.7m, due to border closures relating to Covid-19. For Multi-destination, revenue was -17% weaker at $83.5m.
- English Language Teaching: Revenue of $20.2m, which is -23% lower
- Digital Marketing and Events: Revenue of $36.4m, which is -2% lower
- Others: Revenue of $3.2m was -20% weaker
Company Profile:
IDP Education Ltd (IEL) offers: (i) Student placement: student recruitment/placement in 93 offices across 30 countries into approximately 600 universities, schools and colleges globally in 5 destination countries; and (ii) co-owner of IELTS, an English language proficiency test which foreigners must pass in order to obtain certain visas and permanent residency in Australia. IEL is 50% owned by Education Australia Ltd – a business in which 38 Australian universities own a 50.1% stake.
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Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.