Category: Technology Stocks

Tech stocks refer to any stock involved in the technology sector, from semiconductor producers to software providers. Tech stocks are often a leading indicator for the economy and the stock market. Technology stocks generally follow the pattern of more innovation in the market & new development of product.

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Technology Stocks

IRE has agreed to grant EQT for exclusive due diligence

Investment Thesis
Since 24th February 2021 IRESS’s share price appreciated and traded on less attractive trading multiples and valuations.
No Doubt in quality of IRE’s quality with strong Team Management and its upside trade captured share price and trading multiples and hence its trading range bound.
Growing superannuation/pension resources bodes well for IRE’s clients, which bodes well for IRE’s product demand.
Financial market participants in Australia, United Kingdom and South Africa used use product of IRE widely. In the ANZ Wealth Management market for example, the expanding dynamic of practise self-licensing, strong client retention and increased demand for integrated solutions are major revenue drivers. More than 90% of revenue is recurring.
Strong momentum in ANZ Wealth Management’s core growth markets, including as South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The introduction of a new product provides prospects for expansion.
A strong financial position and a qualified management team.

Key Risks
Subscriptions are down due to dwindling demand from the sell-side and buy-side, as well as financial planners.
Competitive platforms/offers (new disruptive technology); competition’s better features and innovation.
Risks associated with the system, technology, and software.
Clients and their requirements are being impacted by regulatory and structural developments in the financial sector.
Deterioration in the equity and debt markets, which could have an adverse effect on terminal demand.
The company’s Canadian sector continues to deteriorate.

Key Highlight 2020

IRESS’s Revenue was up +1 to $298.7 million on a pro forma basis, as recurring sales now accounts for 90% of overall revenue.
IRESS’s Pro forma segment profit of $77.2 million and pro forma EPS of 14.2 cents were up 3% and 6%, respectively, and were in line with full-year guidance; driven by growth in Trading and Market Data, a full-year contribution from OneVue, and good progress with new client implementations across Super, Private Wealth, and in the UK, offset by expected revenue declines in the Australian financial services sector.
The cash conversion rate was 90%. (improved from 86 percent in FY20). The Pro forma ROIC was kept at 9% by IRE.
IRESS Board Declared Interim Dividend at 16cps, 80% franked.

Company Profile

Iress is an Australian financial software provider that specialises in the financial markets and wealth management sectors. Its mature financial markets business comprises around 25% of group EBITDA and has dominated the Australian market for around 20 years because of its leading order management platform. The wealth management software business comprises around a third of group EBITDA, and is the main contributor of group earnings growth, with superannuation and enterprise lending software comprising the remainder.

(Source: Morningstar)
General Advice Warning
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.

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Technology Stocks

IRE has agreed to grant EQT for exclusive due diligence

fintech icon on abstract financial technology background represent Blockchain and Fintech Investment Financial Internet Technology Concept.

Investment Thesis 

  • Since 24th February 2021 IRESS’s share price appreciated and traded on less attractive trading multiples and valuations.
  • No Doubt in quality of IRE’s quality with strong Team Management and its upside trade captured share price and trading multiples and hence its trading range bound.
  • Growing superannuation/pension resources bodes well for IRE’s clients, which bodes well for IRE’s product demand.
  • Financial market participants in Australia, United Kingdom and South Africa used use product of IRE widely. In the ANZ Wealth Management market for example, the expanding dynamic of practise self-licensing, strong client retention and increased demand for integrated solutions are major revenue drivers. More than 90% of revenue is recurring.
  • Strong momentum in ANZ Wealth Management’s core growth markets, including as South Africa and the United Kingdom.
  • The introduction of a new product provides prospects for expansion.
  • A strong financial position and a qualified management team.

Key Risks 

  • Subscriptions are down due to dwindling demand from the sell-side and buy-side, as well as financial planners.
  • Competitive platforms/offers (new disruptive technology); competition’s better features and innovation.
  • Risks associated with the system, technology, and software.
  • Clients and their requirements are being impacted by regulatory and structural developments in the financial sector.
  • Deterioration in the equity and debt markets, which could have an adverse effect on terminal demand.
  • The company’s Canadian sector continues to deteriorate.

Key Highlight 2020

  • IRESS’s Revenue was up +1 to $298.7 million on a pro forma basis, as recurring sales now accounts for 90% of overall revenue.
  • IRESS’s Pro forma segment profit of $77.2 million and pro forma EPS of 14.2 cents were up 3% and 6%, respectively, and were in line with full-year guidance; driven by growth in Trading and Market Data, a full-year contribution from OneVue, and good progress with new client implementations across Super, Private Wealth, and in the UK, offset by expected revenue declines in the Australian financial services sector.
  • The cash conversion rate was 90%. (improved from 86 percent in FY20). The Pro forma ROIC was kept at 9% by IRE.
  • IRESS Board Declared Interim Dividend at 16cps, 80% franked.

Company Profile 

Iress is an Australian financial software provider that specialises in the financial markets and wealth management sectors. Its mature financial markets business comprises around 25% of group EBITDA and has dominated the Australian market for around 20 years because of its leading order management platform. The wealth management software business comprises around a third of group EBITDA, and is the main contributor of group earnings growth, with superannuation and enterprise lending software comprising the remainder.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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Technology Stocks

Sabre Files for Potential Equity Offerings; Shares Cheap

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sending shares down 8%. In our view, Sabre has enough liquidity in a zero-demand environment for around a year, and probably at least two years at second-quarter 2021 demand levels. This stance is buoyed by Sabre last communicating a monthly cash burn figure of $80 million in a zero-demand environment during its earnings call on 6th Nov 2020. Since then, management said on its Feb. 16, 2021, earnings call that it expected cash burn to improve throughout 2021. On the Aug. 3, 2021, call management said cash burn improved sequentially and that Sabre had $1.1 billion in cash on the balance sheet, with no debt maturing until 2024 and no significant uses for cash in the near term. 

Sabre expects to reach free cash flow break-even levels when its air volumes reach 56%-67% of 2019 levels. Sabre’s total air bookings recovered to 51% of 2019 levels in June, up from 38% in May and 24% in its first quarter. U.S. hotel industry revenue per available room has not weakened through mid-August, and even during 2020 case surges U.S. travel demand only paused for a few weeks before continuing an improving trend, illuminating the desire to travel. Still, after holding at around 80% of 2019 levels through mid-August, U.S. air volumes have averaged around 74% for days 16-19 of the month.

And importantly for Sabre, it is a later cycle recovery play tied to corporate travel improving, which is being delayed by pushouts of return to office. We are monitoring any potential impact to demand from the delta variant of the coronavirus. We currently estimate that Sabre’s second-half 2021 air bookings will reach 54% of 2019 levels, a small improvement from June levels. While share price action may remain volatile, we still see investors greatly discounting Sabre’s narrow moat, with shares trading well below our $16.20 fair value estimate.

Company Profile 

Sabre holds the number-two share of global distribution system air bookings (40.9% as of the end of 2020 versus 38.8% in 2019). The travel solutions segment represented 88% of total 2020 revenue, which was split evenly between distribution and airline IT solutions revenue. The company also has a growing hotel IT solutions division (12% of revenue). Transaction fees, which are tied to volume and not price, account for the bulk of revenue and profits.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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Shares Technology Stocks

Palo Alto’s Product Demand Accelerates in Q4 As Next-Gen Security Soars

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its next-generation firewall appliance altering the requirements of this essential piece of networking security. The firm’s portfolio has expanded outside of network security into areas such as cloud protection and automated response. The complexity of an entity’s threat management increases as the quantity of data and traffic being generated off-premises grows. Security point solutions were traditionally purchased to combat the latest threats, and IT teams had to manage various vendors’ products simultaneously, which leads us to believe that IT teams are clamoring for security consolidation to manage disparate solutions. Core to Palo Alto’s technology is its security operating platform, which provides centralized security management. Palo Alto’s concerted efforts into machine learning, analytics, and automated responses could make its products indispensable within customer networks.

Financial Strength 

Palo Alto ended fiscal 2021 with $2.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents and total debt of $3.2 billion in 2023 and 2025 convertible senior notes. The $1.7 billion 2023 notes mature in June 2023 and have a 0.75% fixed interest rate per year paid semiannually, while the $2.0 billion of notes that mature June 2025 have a 0.375% interest rate paid semiannually. The company announced a $1.0 billion share-repurchase authorization in February 2019, which was increased to $1.7 billion the following year with an expiration at the end of 2021, and has subsequently extended the program.

Our fair value estimate for narrow-moat Palo Alto Networks to $440 per share from $400 after its fourth quarter earnings bolstered our confidence in its long-term opportunity within the cybersecurity market. Shares are modestly undervalued, in our view, even after jumping more than 10% following the strong results in the fourth quarter. Palo Alto breezed by our lofty expectations, and previous guidance, for the fourth quarter, with 28% year-over-year revenue growth and adjusted earnings of $1.60. Billings grew by 34% year over year, and remaining performance obligations, or RPO, increased by 36% year over year to $5.9 billion. 

Subscriptions and support increased by more than 36% while product revenue accelerated to 11% growth, both year over year. Its core firewall offerings continue to outpace the market, with 26% year-over-year billings growth and software-based versions represented 47% of firewall billings in the quarter. Next-gen security billings increased by 71% year over year, and now represent 33% of total billings, as the demand for cloud security and automation ramps up in the industry. Next-gen ARR increased by 81% year over year to $1.2 billion. 

Bulls Say’s 

  • Adding on modules to Palo Alto’s security platform could win greenfield opportunities and increase spending from existing customers.
  • Palo Alto could showcase great operating margin leverage as it moves from brand creation into a perennial cybersecurity leader. Winning bids should be less costly as the incumbent, and we think Palo Alto is typically on the short list of potential vendors.
  • The company is segueing into high-growth areas to supplement its firewall leadership. Analytics and machine learning capabilities could separate Palo Alto’s offerings.

Company Profile 

Palo Alto Networks is a pure-play cybersecurity vendor that sells security appliances, subscriptions, and support into enterprises, government entities, and service providers. The company’s product portfolio includes firewall appliances, virtual firewalls, endpoint protection, cloud security, and cybersecurity analytics. The Santa Clara, California, firm was established in 2005 and sells its products worldwide.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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Technology Stocks

Maintaining BioNTech FVEs after Comirnaty Approval

received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 23 for individuals age 16 and older. Pfizer and BioNTech fair value estimates are maintained. The mRNA technology that formed the basis of the vaccine provides support to Pfizer’s established wide moat and also contributes to BioNTech’s positive moat trend.

Government contracts for the initial two-dose series and established contracts are more than sufficient to cover any increased demand. The demand for these purchased vaccines could increase with full approval, which could help to end the most recent surge driven by the delta variant. This could encourage some individuals who were uncertain about the long-term safety of the vaccine to get vaccinated. 

In the U.S., roughly 60% of the vaccine-eligible population has been fully vaccinated. President Joe Biden’s target for a return to near normal by July 4 was thwarted by a combination of vaccine hesitancy, waning efficacy of vaccines, and the rise of the more contagious delta variant. Herd immunity could still be achievable, but the delta variant raises the bar; it therefore could depend on new mandates or increased willingness to vaccinate following Pfizer’s Aug. 23 full approval, uptake of third-dose booster shots, and the potential rise of vaccine-resistant variants down the line. 

Company’s Future Outlook

It continues to see sales reaching $35 billion in 2021 and $39 billion in 2022, followed by roughly $2 billion in annual sales beyond 2022 as it is expected post pandemic annual COVID vaccines for only the most vulnerable (infants and seniors). It is expected this approval to give more leverage to public and private organizations wishing to mandate vaccination, including universities and hospitals.

Full approval also makes it easier for doctors to prescribe off-label use of the vaccine, which could provide more flexibility with the timing of booster shots. Most physicians are waiting for a nod from the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which could come next week, before recommending booster shots beyond immunocompromised individuals.

Company Profile

BioNTech is a Germany-based biotechnology company that focuses on developing cancer therapeutics, including individualized immunotherapy, as well as vaccines for infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The company’s oncology pipeline contains several classes of drugs, including mRNA-based drugs to encode antigens, neoantigens, cytokines, and antibodies; cell therapies; bispecific antibodies; and small-molecule immunomodulators. BioNTech is partnered with several large pharmaceutical companies, including Roche, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Genmab. Comirnaty (COVID-19 vaccine) is its first commercialized product.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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Technology Stocks

Tenet Continues to be More Efficient and Profitable

Closeup of a stock market broker working with graphs on digital tablet at office. Rear view of stock agent reading bad report and graph. Back view of multiethnic businessman analyzing fall sales.

the wake of an acquisition strategy that left it with operating inefficiencies and a debt-heavy balance sheet. Led by initiatives endorsed by its largest shareholder, Glenview Capital Management (15% stake as of March), Tenet has replaced top leadership, refreshed the board, improved governance practices, pruned its portfolio of assets, and undergone a restructuring effort. 

Operationally, Tenet has focused on flattening layers of management, improving operating efficiencies both inside and outside its healthcare facilities, and increasing focus on service quality. All these factors appear to be positively influencing returns on invested capital at Tenet, which began exceeding its weighted average cost of capital in 2017 by our calculations for the first time since the Vanguard Group acquisition in 2013.

Despite all of these positives, the company still operates with substantial debt on its balance sheet and is currently rated in the broad single B category by the major credit rating agencies on an unsecured basis. 

Financial Strength

It is expected Tenet to at least meet its net leverage goal of 5.0 times by the end of 2021, which would be a positive development in the odyssey that has been Tenet’s credit story since the Vanguard acquisition in 2013. At the end of June, the firm held $2.2 billion in cash, which included aid from the government and new borrowings. While Tenet will need to pay back Medicare advances and payroll tax deferrals, it looks to be in good shape to do so, even after paying $1.1 billion for the recent acquisition of the SCD ambulatory surgery center assets in late 2020. Tenet recently agreed to sell five Miami-area hospitals for $1.1 billion. The company also aims to spin off its revenue cycle management business, Conifer, in the near future, which could be a source of funds to meet its debt obligations as well.

Bull Says

  • With a new management team in place since late 2017, Tenet has become a more efficient and more profitable organization, suggesting that the team is making progress operationally.
  • As the top provider of ambulatory care services in the U.S., Tenet should be able to continue benefiting from the ongoing shift of procedures to outpatient facilities from acute-care hospitals, which could boost growth and margins.
  • Tenet continues to focus on improving its balance sheet and could meet its deleveraging goal on a sustainable basis in 2021.

Company Profile

Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) is a Dallas-based healthcare provider organization operating a collection of hospitals (65 at the end of 2020) and over 550 outpatient facilities, including ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, freestanding imaging centers, freestanding emergency rooms/micro-hospitals, and physician practices across the United States. Tenet enjoys the number-one ambulatory surgical center position nationwide, as well.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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Super Retail’s FVE Increases to an Expected Sales Uplift from Network Optimisation

The company’s fiscal 2021 sales of AUD 3,453 million and underlying earnings of AUD 307 million were broadly in line with our estimates. The trading update provided for the first seven weeks of fiscal 2022 is broadly tracking with full fiscal year estimate. Trading conditions in fiscal 2022 are likely to be more challenging than we anticipated just a few months ago with lockdowns heavily impacting retailing businesses in affected states. While the near-term trading outlook is similarly opaque as during Australia’s first COVID wave, we base our longer-term sales levels on historical growth trends. 

EBIT margins sharply increased in fiscal 2021, mostly due to less discounting because of greater consumer demand and relatively inelastic supply, as well as remarkable sales growth of 22% driving just as exceptional operating leverage. EBIT margins expanded some 450 basis points to almost 13%, after adjusting for lease accounting Standard AASB 16. In the five years to fiscal 2020, adjusted EBIT margins averaged just over 8%. Super Retail’s online sales increased by 43% in fiscal 2021, similar to the 44% achieved in fiscal 2020. E-commerce accounted for 12% of group sales in fiscal 2021, with outdoor specialist Macpac and sporting goods retailer Rebel leading with online penetration of 21% and 16%, respectively. The board declared a fully franked dividend of AUD 88 cents per share for fiscal 2021.    

Company’s Future Outlook 

We continue to expect consumer spending on auto parts, sporting goods, and outdoor gear to normalize by fiscal 2023 and with it currently elevated profit margins. In contrast, to match our intrinsic valuation with current share prices, we would have to assume increased spending levels on discretionary goods and higher profit margins to persist for much longer. We expect operating margins to weaken against a backdrop of replenished inventories, more discounting, and declining sales. we estimate a 9% drop in group revenue for fiscal 2022. The dividend was ahead of our AUD 84 cents forecast on a slightly higher than expected 65% payout ratio. While we maintain our 65% payout ratio forecast, we expect declining earnings to result in a lower dividend of AUD 64 cents in fiscal 2022, representing a 5% yield at current share prices

Company Profile 

Super Retail operates in Australia and New Zealand selling auto parts, sporting goods, and camping, fishing, and boating equipment. The group generates revenue of about AUD 2.5 billion. There are generally two to four larger players in each category in which the firm operates, with Super Retail the market leader in all three categories. The firm has been corporately active historically, adding to the sporting goods category in fiscal 2012 and acquiring Macpac of New Zealand in 2018.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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Technology Stocks

TPG Telecom Fiscal 2021 First Half Broadly in Line

or NBN, and take-up of high-traffic products such as Internet protocol television and video streaming, will increase the demand for broadband and backhaul capacity. TPG Telecom’s price-leader strategy still sees the company delivering solid subscriber and market share performance. Product bundling has also become a key segment in the market, with all players using broadband as a lead-in product and cross-selling voice, mobile, pay-TV, and digital streaming services. 

The ownership of submarine cable between Australia and Guam offers the group broader cost advantages. Pricing is mainly a function of demand and supply, available capacity, and the length of cable. Economies of scale play a large part in pricing where costs are measured on per unit of volume. Contracts are structured in typical 15-year

leases, providing some certainty in revenue. Clients are allocated a fixed bandwidth and have the right to on-sell capacity. Maintenance fees of 3%-4% of the lease are also levied.

Financial Strength 

TPG Telecom’s financial health is solid. Historically, management has used debt to finance acquisitions and demonstrated a capacity to pay it down in due course. As of June 2021, net debt/EBITDA was 2.8 times, well below the covenant limit of 3.5 times. Highlights from the 2021 first-half result support the key planks of our positive investment thesis for TPG Telecom. The NBN-inflicted EBITDA damage in the broadband unit is on track to fall less than management’s prior AUD 60 million projection for the full year (AUD 25 million in the first half), down from AUD 83 million in 2020. 

Moderating fall in subscribers (128,000 in June half 2021 versus 361,000 in December half of 2020), and ARPU (underlying post-paid down 1.6% in first half versus an estimated 2.3% in 2020) are signs of likely improvements to come. While shares in narrow-moat-rated TPG have climbed 30% since the May 2021 lows, they remain 13% below our unchanged AUD 7.40 fair value estimate. 

The 4% decline in corporate EBITDA to AUD 236 million was especially disappointing. It was mainly due to a fall in lowmargin legacy services, as underlying EBITDA margin was up to 53.2%, from 52.3% a year ago. Nevertheless, the shortfall in this division, coupled with continuing likely impact from COVID-19 (AUD 11 million in the first half) has led to 2% decline in our 2021 group EBITDA forecast to AUD 1,779 million. TPG’s broadband business will also benefit from management’s concerted push into fixed wireless, to bypass the National Broadband Network, or NBN. Indeed, 17,000 fixed wireless customers were signed up in the current second half to date, just a month after launch of the TPG-branded fixed wireless product. 

Bulls Say’s 

  • Cross-selling opportunities remain for both consumer and corporate markets.
  • The merger with Vodafone Australia increases the scale of the combined entity and allow it to better compete against Telstra and Optus in the Australian market.
  • Further rollout of its fibre network also boosts growth, while incremental cost from an additional user is small.

Company Profile 

TPG Telecom is Australia’s third-largest integrated telecom services provider. It offers broadband, telephony, mobile and networking solutions catering to all market segments (consumer, small business, corporate and wholesale, government). The company has grown significantly since 2008, both via organic growth and via acquisitions, and in July 2020 merged with Vodafone Australia. It owns an extensive stable of infrastructure assets. TPG is also a very nimble competitor in the telecom space, with an aggressive operating culture unencumbered by any legacy issues facing incumbents.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

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.

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CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

The Seqirus flu business, which achieved positive earnings (EBIT) for the first time in FY18, continues to perform strongly.
There is a lot of interest in their product line.
High entry barriers in terms of knowledge, worldwide channels, and operations/facilities/assets.
The executive team is strong, as are the operational capabilities.
Leveraged against a weakening dollar.
Key Risks
Pressures from competitors.
Behring’s core business, product recalls, disappoints.
Growth is underwhelming (underperform company guidance).
The Seqirus flu business is stalling or deteriorating.
Unfavourable currency fluctuations (AUD, EUR, USD).

FY21 Results Highlights
CSL’s influenza vaccines business, Seqirus, reported NPAT of $2,375 million, up 10%, and revenue of $10,026 million, up 10%, thanks to strong performance in leading subcutaneous Ig product HIZENTRA and leading HAE product HAEGARDA, as well as exceptionally strong performance in CSL’s influenza vaccines business. EBIT increased by 11% to $3,025, while margins remained at 30.2 percent. Earnings per share increased from 10% to $5.22.
The final payout of US$1.18 per share (A$1.61 franked at 10%) brings the total dividend for the year to US$2.22 per share, up 10%. Highlights from each segment: (1) CSL Behring, relative to the pcp and in constant currency. Albumin (+61%), HIZENTRA (+15%), HAEGARDA (+14%), and KCENTRA (+7%) all contributed to an increase in total revenue of 6%. (2) Seqirus is a character in the game Seqirus.
Seasonal influenza vaccine sales increased from 41% on a record volume of 130 million doses, driving total revenue up 30%. FLUAD® QIV was released in the United States in FY21, while FLUCELVAX was marketed in Australia.

Company Description
The Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Limited (CSL) is a company that develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceutical and diagnostic products made from human plasma. Paediatrics and adult vaccines, infection, pain medicine, skin problem treatments, anti-venoms, anticoagulants, and immunoglobulins are among the company’s goods. These are life-saving products that are not optional.

General Advice Warning
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.

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Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

  • Two main organic growth engines in mortgage servicing and employee share plans should lead to organic EPS growth.
  • Expectations of margin improvement via cost reductions program.
  • Leveraged to rising interest rates on client balances, corporate action and equity market activity.
  • Potential for earnings derived from non-share registry opportunities due to higher compliance and IT requirements.
  • Solid free cash flow and deleveraging balance sheet.

Key Risks

  • Increased competition from competitors such as recently listed Link and Equiniti which affect margins.
  • Cost cuts are not delivered in accordance with market expectations.
  • Sub-par performance in any of its segments, especially mortgage servicing (Business Services) as a result of higher regulatory and litigation risks; Register and Employee Share Plans as a result of subdued activity.
  • Exchanges such as ASX are exploring block chain solution to upgrade its clearing and settlement system (CHESS). This distributed ledger technology can bring registry businesses in-house and disrupt CPU.

FY21 results by segments

Compared to pcp and in CC(constant currency): Issuer Services delivered revenue growth of +9% to $975.1m, with Register Maintenance up +3.2% amid a recovery in shareholder paid fees, new client wins and increased market share, Corporate Actions up +35.3% with volumes increasing in all major regions as a result of clients raising capital, improved IPO markets, especially in Hong Kong, and strong M&A activity, Stakeholder Relationship Management up +45.7%, Governance Service up +90.7% and Margin income down -44.3%. Management EBITDA gained +5.1% to $273.9m (with margin down -100bps to 28.1%), however, Management EBIT ex Margin Income was up +26.3% to $227.1m with margin expansion of +240bps to 24.4%, with management anticipating organic revenue ex MI growth of 0-3% p.a. and EBIT ex MI growth of 0-5% p.a. in medium term. Employee Share Plans saw revenue increase +6.3% to $308.5m, driven by Fee revenue (+4%), Transactional revenue (+15.8%) as equity markets rallied and units under administration grew +13% over pcp to $27bn as more companies issued equity deeper into their organisations, Margin Income (-4.8%) and Other revenue (-64.3%). Management EBITDA of $78.1m was up +40% (margins up +610bps to 25.3%), with Management EBIT ex MI of $69m up +68.3% (margins up +790bps to 22.6%), with management anticipating revenue ex MI growth of +3-6% p.a. and EBIT ex MI growth of +4-8% p.a. in medium term.  Mortgage Services saw revenue fall -9.5% to $574.8m driven by UK Mortgage Services (-36.6%) and Margin income (-84.7%), partially offset by US Mortgage Services (+7.7%). Management EBITDA of $103.3m was down -18.9% (margins down -200bps to 18%), with Management EBIT ex Margin Income a loss of $4.2m, with management expecting recovery in FY22 anticipating revenue ex MI and EBIT ex MI growth of 5-10% p.a. in medium term. Business Services delivered revenue decline of -15% to $207.1m, driven by Corporate Trust (-0.5%), Class Action (-30.6%) and Margin income (-48.8%), partially offset by Bankruptcy (+36.6%), Management EBITDA of $51m was down -42.2% (margins down -1160bps to 24.6%) and Management EBIT ex Margin loss of $20.4m decreased -34.4% with margin decline of -510bps to 11.5%, however, management anticipating revenue ex MI growth of 3-5% and EBIT ex MI growth of 2-5% in medium term.

Company Description  

Computershare Ltd (CPU) is a global market leader in transfer agency and share registration, employee equity plans, mortgage servicing, proxy solicitation and stakeholder communications. CPU also operates in corporate trust, bankruptcy, class action and a range of other diversified financial and governance services. 

General Advice Warning

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.