Tag: Small Caps

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Shares Small Cap

Platinum Shares at discount as investors overlook its good traits

Business Strategy and Outlook

Platinum is an active manager founded in 1994, specialising in global equities. It concentrates on identifying unfashionable stocks with latent business and growth prospects. Platinum is not focused on asset allocation and pays little attention to its benchmarks. As a result, its portfolios often look little like–and returns often don’t resemble–their indexes. The firm manages about AUD 22 billion in FUM, and is one of the best known fund managers in Australia. 

Platinum eschews empire-building–such as special discounting to attract FUM, acquisitions or product proliferation–and prefers to spend most of its time managing money. Management is largely focused on minor product enhancements: clients can invest via unlisted funds, active ETFs, listed investment companies, mFunds, or investment bonds. Clients can also invest into performance fee class of funds. Moreover, the firm is making an effort to grow its client engagement and business development initiatives.

Financial Strength

Our fair value estimated to AUD 3.90 per share from AUD 4.25 after increasing the expected magnitude, and prolonging the duration, of net outflows to fiscal 2024. Platinum is in strong financial health, supported by a conservative balance sheet with no debt and a healthy cash balance. Platinum has maintained a very high dividend payout ratio since listing in 2007. An absence of debt, consistent earnings, strong cash flow conversion, and a durable balance sheet support the high dividend payout ratio target of close to 100%. High dividend payouts are a feature of the capital-light asset-management sector, delivering attractive shareholder returns while maintaining comfortable balance sheet settings.

Bulls Say’s 

  • Platinum is well known in Australian funds management. The firm may be able to take advantage of retail investors increasing allocation to global equities, if it improves medium-term performance. 
  • The long-term outlook is positive due to likely mandated increases in compulsory superannuation. However, fund underperformance, increasing competition and a trend to lower-cost passive investments are risks. 
  • Capital demands low, and free cash flow generation is strong. This supports a high dividend payout ratio and offers investors the opportunity of both growth and income returns.

Company Profile 

Platinum Asset Management is an Australian-based niche fund manager with a specialty in international equities founded in 1994. It offers region and industry-specific funds in addition to global portfolios. There is flexibility in the investment strategies at Platinum, with funds having the option to engage in short-selling, taking positions in foreign exchange markets, and derivative-based activities to manage risk and aid performance.

(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 Small Cap

Bega Cheese economic moat required to sustainably generate economic profits

Business Strategy and Outlook

Bega has transformed from a dairy processor with a focus on business to business operations to a branded consumer food company with a more diversified earnings base and less exposure to volatile milk prices. While dairy will remain a key category for Bega Cheese, the focus will be on high value products such as cream cheese and infant formula. In January 2021, Bega finalised the acquisition of Lion Dairy and Drinks from Kirin Group for AUD 534 million. As part of the acquisition, Bega acquired leading brands in milk-based beverages and yoghurt, white milk, and plant-based beverages, in addition to 13 manufacturing sites and Australia’s largest national cold chain distribution network. 

Revenue from the branded segment, which includes spreads, grocery products and Lion’s Dairy and Drinks portfolio, to expand at a CAGR of 18% to fiscal 2026, underpinned by new product innovation and bolt-on acquisitions. Bega Cheese has made limited investment in its brands, particularly in Australia where Fonterra is the licensee of the Bega brand, however since acquiring the spreads and grocery business in 2018, marketing spend as proportion of revenue has increased to 3% from 1% and it is anticipated to remain the higher level.

Financial Strength

Our fair value estimate is AUD 5.20 per share. Bega’s balance sheet is sound. Leverage, measured as net debt/EBITDA improved to 2.3 at June 30, 2021, from 2.4 at the prior period and comfortably below covenants. This is a pleasing position post the major acquisition of Lion Dairy and Drinks in fiscal 2021 which was funded through AUD 267 million of new and extended debt facilities and a AUD 401 million equity raising. It is expected that further deleveraging in coming years as acquisition synergies are achieved, earnings improve and noncore assets are divested, with net debt/EBITDA falling below 2.0 by 2023. Bega has the capacity to pursue smaller acquisitions while maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 50% normalised EPS. The group’s fiscal 2022 EBITDA guidance of AUD 195 million to AUD 215 million has necessitated an 11% downgrade to our fiscal 2022 EBITDA forecast to AUD 215 million.

Bulls Say’s 

  • Bega is shifting investment to the spreads and grocery business, which we view as less commoditised and higher margin than dairy, with strong niche positions in Vegemite and peanut butter 
  • External factors outside of Bega’s control, such as the weather, can adversely impact supply and demand dynamics. This can impact commodity prices, inputs costs and the firm’s supply chain and lead to volatile earnings 
  • Changing consumer trends toward dairy-free and vegan diets could lead to declines in per-capita dairy and cheese consumption, weighing on the majority of Bega’s earnings

Company Profile 

Bega Cheese is an Australian based dairy processor and food manufacturer of well-known brands including Bega Cheese and Vegemite. Bega Cheese operates two segments: the branded segment which produces consumer packaged goods primarily sold through the supermarket and foodservice channels and the bulk segment which produces commodity dairy ingredients primarily sold through the business-to-business channel.

(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 Small Cap

Bank of Queensland brings forward cost savings to offset margin pressure

Business Strategy and Outlook

Bank of Queensland is one of Australia’s top-10 largest banks, but is considerably smaller than the four major Australian banks. Preceding the global financial crisis, the bank grew aggressively via acquisitions and the rollout of its distinctive owner-manager branch franchise model. However, expanding the branch network and diversifying away from traditional residential lending came at a cost, with additional equity required to fund growth, significantly increased bad debts, and multiple banking systems, which resulted in deteriorating cost/income and returns on equity. 

The aim is to ensure the bank is more competitive, particularly in the home loan market, but this investment giving the bank any competitive edge. At best, it can narrow the gap to peers, but with the big investment budgets of the majors, those innovations are likely to be hard to keep up with. Bank of Queensland has branches owned by branch managers and corporate branches. The model has the potential for the bank to outperform its peers on customer service, with owner branch managers building relationships with local customers, and niche business lending specialists with an understanding of borrower needs and industry.

Financial Strength

The capital structure and balance sheet provide comfort that the bank can manage a large increase in loan losses associated with COVID-19, but it remains the greatest threat to the bank’s capital position. Common equity Tier 1 capital was 9.8% as at August 2021, well above APRA’s 8.5% minimum capital benchmark for standardised banks. It is expected that the bank will pay out around 60% to 65% of earnings given the credit growth outlook, elevated investment in the banking platform, and integration of ME Bank. Our fair value estimate for no-moat rated Bank of Queensland is unchanged at AUD 8.50.

With the elevated savings rate in 2020, the bank has been able to increase its share of funding from customer deposits to 70% as at Aug. 31, 2021, up from pre-COVID-19 levels of 64% as at Aug. 31, 2019. In March 2020 the RBA announced the Term Funding Facility, or TFF, which provided three-year funding at 0.25%. From Nov. 4, 2020, new drawdowns would pay 0.1%. The initial funding available via the TFF was set at 3% of the bank’s outstanding loan balance, with an additional 2% of balances announced in November.

Bulls Say’s

  • The appointment of new senior executives and a clean out of the troubled commercial loan portfolio has ensured a more risk-conscious culture. 
  • Substantial capital raisings bolstered the balance sheet, ensuring that the bank satisfies capital rules and can still fund investments in technology and expand loan balances. 
  • Productivity improvements not only lead to improved operating margins, but a more streamlined loan approval process lifts mortgage growth rates. 
  • Management extract greater cost and revenue synergies from the acquisition of ME Bank.

Company Profile 

Bank of Queensland, or BOQ, is an Australia-based bank offering home loans, personal finance, and commercial loans. BOQ operates both owner-managed and corporate branches, and is the owner of Virgin Money Australia. Its BOQ business includes the BOQ branded commercial lending activity, BOQ Finance and BOQ Specialist businesses. The division provides tailored business banking solutions including commercial lending, equipment finance and leasing, cashflow finance, foreign exchange, interest rate hedging, transaction banking, and deposit solutions for commercial customers

(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 Small Cap

Nufarm’s Fiscal 2022 Cash Conversion and working capital moves favourable

Business Strategy and Outlook

Nufarm is a major producer of crop-protection products including herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides, selling into all major world markets. The company is leveraged to growing demand for crops for biofuels, and food from rapidly industrialising markets such as China and India. Growth should come from astute brand and offshore business investments and from a customer-service-focused strategy. However, the global crop-protection markets are competitive and earnings are cyclical, given a reliance on seasonal conditions. Sumitomo Chemical’s 16% investment in Nufarm endorses the quality of its global distribution. Collaboration broadens product portfolios and adds distribution in Asia.

Nufarm has a growing presence in North America and Europe. Sound sales momentum has been evident in North America and Europe. Several Chinese companies have previously expressed interest in acquiring Nufarm, but withdrew either because of too high a price demanded by the board, or because of reduced availability of debt. In 2010, Japanese company Sumitomo Chemical bought 20% of Nufarm, subsequently increasing its stake to 23% before diluting to 16%. The resultant collaboration should boost the performance of both companies, given little product portfolio overlap.

Financial Strength

Nufarm’s balance sheet is in great shape. In early April 2020, the company received AUD 1.2 billion net sale proceeds from major shareholder Sumitomo, for the sale of its South American crop protection and seed treatment operations in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile. This significantly bolstered the finances at a very fortuitous time, coming mid coronavirus. Prior to this in January 2020, group net debt had stood at a whopping AUD 1.6 billion. Nufarm’s under-leveraged balance sheet remains a strength. Fiscal 2021 net operating cash flow rebounded strongly from negative AUD 398 million in the pcp to positive AUD 370 million. This reflects a focus on working capital management. It sees net debt down 40% to a modest AUD 173 million, leverage (ND/(ND+E)) of just 8% and net debt/EBITDA very comfortable at 0.5. Net working capital significantly improved post sale of the Latin American business and remains a focus with improved debtor collections, reduced inventory and foreign exchange translation.

Our AUD 7.00 fair value for no-moat crop protection company Nufarm. Underlying fiscal 2021 NPAT improved to positive AUD 61 million against an underlying loss of AUD 67 million in the pcp. NPAT in the fiscal second half was negligible at just AUD 0.7 million. On a full fiscal year basis, APAC revenue enjoyed a sharp turnaround, up 52% to AUD 858 million and segment EBITDA margin nearly doubled to 12.7%. Nufarm shares plunged 8.5% on the day of profit release, a strange response given an all-important strong cash flow performance. The fall may have been in reaction to a decline in salmon demand impacting sales of Omega-3 canola. But there is a long way to run on Omega-3, still in its infancy, and we are unconcerned.

Bulls Say’s

  • Nufarm benefits from potential strength in soft commodities markets. 
  • Nufarm has well-established distribution platforms in most major global agricultural markets. 
  • Product and geographic diversification helps reduce earnings volatility.

Company Profile 

Nufarm Limited is a global crop-protection company that develops, manufactures, and sells a range of crop-protection products, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Nufarm sells its products in most of the world’s major agricultural regions, and operates primarily in the off-patent segment of the crop-protection market. Nufarm operates along two business lines: crop protection and seed technologies.

(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 Small Cap

Huon reported results as expected; however earnings dented due to impacts of Covid

Investment Thesis:

  • HUO takeover price is $3.85. The Board have announced it believes accepting the offer is in the best interest of shareholders, absent any superior offer or independent expert advice.
  • Founding/major shareholders, Frances and Peter Bender, who hold ~53% of total shares, intend on voting in favour.
  • Growing consumer preference for natural and organic products, both in Australia and abroad, may see significant increase in salmon sales and therefore higher share prices. 
  • Number two player in the domestic market. 
  • With rational behaviour around pricing, the concentrated industry could benefit. 
  • Supportive salmon prices given disruption to global salmon supply. 
  • High barriers to entry (desired temperatures and regulatory licenses difficult to obtain). 
  • Given the complex nature of salmon farming HUO is unlikely to have its dominant position as an Australian salmon farmer ever seriously threatened.

Key Risks:

  • Takeover fails to proceed. 
  • Impact to production due to adverse weather conditions and diseases. 
  • Chemical coloring in salmon may lead to further negative publicity and undermine demand for salmon.
  • Cost pressures or cost blowout could deteriorate margins significantly given the large cost base relative to earnings (EBITDA). 
  • Irrational competitive behaviour (domestic and international markets). 
  • Negative media on the sustainability of the Tasmanian salmon industry.

Key highlights:

  • On an operating basis, EBITDA of $16.7m was in line with management guidance but declined -65% on pcp due to a -10% fall in the average price, made worst by an increase in production which caused a shift in the channel mix to spot export sales at materially increased freight costs.
  • NPAT decline of -$128.1m was a significant deterioration from $4.9m in the pcp.
  • Cash flow from operations was -$3.0m reflecting higher working capital requirements as freight costs doubled on pcp to $66m.
  • The two main contributors were the -12% fall in the average international salmon price in FY2021 compared to the previous year and the significant increase in freight charges due to limited access to international flights.
  • The impact of these were amplified by the commencement of Huon’s ramp up in production as part of its five-year strategy to expand capacity to meet future growth in domestic demand
  • The shut-down of international commercial flights was a major impediment to gaining access to the markets Huon needed to sell 44% of its FY2021 harvest.
  • HUON also announced on 6 August 2021, a takeover offer at $3.85 per share which is a +38% premium to the Huon share price of $2.79 on the prior trading day’s close.

Company Description: 

Huon Aquaculture (HUO) is a vertically integrated salmon producer in Australia. Its operations span all aspects of the supply chain, from hatcheries and marine farming to harvesting and processing, as well as sales and marketing. HUO’s marine farms are located in the cool, pristine waters of Tasmania, with the Company’s logistics infrastructure delivering salmon efficiently to the major fish markets around Australia. 

(Source: Banyantree)

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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Expert Insights Shares Small Cap

Rail Congestion a Headwind, but Robust Contract Pricing Driving Impressive EBIT Growth for Hub Group

In its flagship intermodal division, Hub contracts with the Class I railroads for the line-haul movement of its containers. It operates the second-largest fleet in the industry, with exclusive access to more than 30,000 containers, and enjoys an approximate 10% market share. By gross revenue, J.B. Hunt is the largest intermodal marketing company, followed by Hub and the intermodal divisions of Schneider National, XPO Logistics, and Knight Swift.

Hub has constructed intermodal and truck brokerage networks of sufficient scale to be attractive to customers (shippers) and suppliers, both of which benefit from using a larger intermediary. Sophisticated IT systems and market know-how enable customers to outsource intermodal shipping to an expert specialist, while Hub’s large volume of loads and significant control of containers make it an attractive customer to the Class I railroads. The company’s primary rail carriers are Norfolk Southern in the East and Union Pacific in the West.

Financial strength

Hub Group’s balance sheet is healthy, and the firm is not overly leveraged. At the end of 2020, Hub held a manageable amount of amount of debt, which is normally used to help finance equipment purchases as well as tuck-in acquisitions like the 2020 NonStopDelivery deal. Total debt came in near $270 million in 2020, including minimal capital lease obligations. Debt/EBITDA stood at a comfortable 1.1 times versus 1.0 times in 2019 and a five-year average near 1.4 times. The firm held roughly $125 million in cash at year-end 2020 versus $169 million in 2019. Historically, Hub’s model generated decent free cash flow in years when it wasn’t acquiring intermodal containers. Overall, free cash flow averaged 1.7% of gross revenue over the past five years, with capital expenditures approximating 3% of sales (3.2% in 2020). Capital expenditures will likely come in near 4% of sales in 2021 due in part to investment in additional intermodal containers to capitalize on growth opportunities.

Bulls Say’s

  • Spiking consumer goods spending and heavy retailer restocking are driving incredibly strong freight demand, tight trucking market capacity, and favorable pricing conditions for all of Hub’s operations in 2021.
  • Intermodal shipping enjoys positive long-term trends, particularly secular constraints on truckload capacity growth and shippers’ efforts to minimize transportation costs through mode conversions (truck to rail).
  • Intermodal market share in the Eastern U.S. still has runway for growth as rising rail service levels support incremental truck to rail conversion activity.

Company Profile 

Hub Group ranks among the largest asset-light providers of rail intermodal service. Following the August 2018 divestiture of logistics provider Mode, which was run separately, its core operating units are intermodal, which uses the Class I rail carriers for the underlying line-haul movement of containers (60% of sales); highway brokerage (12%); Unyson Logistics, which provides outsourced transportation management services (20%); and Hub Dedicated (8%), an asset-based full-truckload carrier.

(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 Small Cap

Healius EBIT margin to expand to 13% by fiscal 2026 from 8% in pre-pandemic fiscal 2019

Healius is looking to new sources of strategic growth as well as dealing with prior under investment in infrastructure. There is much to fix in the business and we anticipate it to take a few years before significant margin improvements are made in the base pathology and imaging businesses. Healius selling its medical centers and Adora Fertility to focus on redirecting capital toward infrastructure upgrades and higher-margin Montserrat day hospitals is viewed as a positive strategic step.

Improvement in systems is key to improving efficiency. Pathology is an increasingly technologically driven service and the company intends to invest in a new laboratory information system, automation, and digitization through to fiscal 2024. In addition, the number of tests available is expanding. Increasing complexity of tests, such as veterinary and gene-based testing, is also resulting in average fee price increases. Pathology has a high fixed cost of operation and thus benefits from volume growth to drive lower cost-per-test outcomes.

Financial Strength

After divesting the medical centers and Adora Fertility businesses, Healius boasts significant balance sheet flexibility. While the sale proceeds were used predominantly to retire debt, Healius is also on track to return AUD 200 million to shareholders in the form of share buybacks in calendar 2021. At the end of fiscal 2021, Healius reported AUD 188 million in net debt, representing net debt/EBITDA of 0.7 times pre-AASB 16. Following Healius’ improvement program in the near term, it is expected to free cash flow prior to dividends to settle around 96% of net income at midcycle. The high cash conversion affords Healius to maintain dividend payout ratio of 60%, within Healius’ 50%-70% target range.

Bulls Say’s 

  • On top of the base level of COVID-19 testing that is likely to continue, Healius is well-positioned for underlying trends in preventive diagnostic treatments and outpatient care in its day hospitals. 
  • Simplifying the business via the sale of its medical centers and Adora Fertility is a positive indicator for the ultimate success of the company’s turnaround. 
  • Advances in technology and personalized medicine are increasing the number of complex and gene-based tests available to patients, which are typically higher margin.

Company Profile 

Healius is Australia’s second-largest pathology provider and third-largest diagnostic imaging provider. Pathology and imaging revenue is almost entirely earned via the public health Medicare system. Healius typically earns approximately 70% of revenue from pathology, 25% from diagnostic imaging and a small remainder from day hospitals.

(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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Expert Insights Shares Small Cap

Kogan’s Profit Margins Improving with Sales Growth and Lower Inventories

Like for many other retailers, we expect an unusual combination of factors distorted Kogan’s recent trading performance. These include relatively volatile sales, heightened supply chain uncertainties and costs, and lockdowns in Australia’s two most populous states. Term retail industry sales growth to be weaker as consumer spending is redirected to entertainment and travel.

Company’s Future Outlook

The headline figure of no-moat Kogan’s trading update of strong gross sales growth sent shares prices up sharply to nearly match our unchanged AUD 11.70 fair value estimate. The 8% growth in gross sales in the core Australian Kogan.com segment in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was slightly below our expectations. Nevertheless, any sales growth is a solid feat in the quarter versus the September quarter of 2020, when gross sales grew by more than 100% at Kogan.com. However, sales profitability hasn’t fully recovered yet. Despite greater gross sales, underlying EBITDA margins are well below the previous corresponding period, down some 66%.

Discounting to trim Kogan’s remaining overhanging inventories, intensifying competition post COVID-19-boom in consumer electronics, and mix shift of gross sales to Kogan’s marketplace from its higher margin third party brands have weighed on gross profits in the first quarter. The active customer base at Kogan.com grew by 4% relative to the June quarter 2021, but at the group’s New Zealand Mighty Ape business the customer count dropped off slightly, declining by 2% against the prior quarter. Although active customers were lost, Mighty Ape sales still grew by 15% quarter on quarter.

Company Profile 

Kogan.com is an Australian pure-play online retailer. The firm primarily caters to value-driven consumers through its private label products, spanning multiple categories including consumer electronics, furniture, and fitness. For brand-conscious consumers, Kogan also offers a wide range of products from well-known third-party brands such as Apple, Samsung, and Google. In addition, Kogan competes in the online marketplace industry, providing a platform and customer base for approved sellers in exchange for a commission. Finally, the firm sells multiple white-labelled products and services including prepaid mobile phone plans, insurance, and travel packages.

(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 Small Cap

Wesfarmers’ Offer for API Still Appears the Most Likely

Businesswoman pointing at diagram in her hands when explaining marketing trends to her team during online meeting

It then extended the brand to the Priceline Pharmacy franchise network as Australia prevents community pharmacies having corporate ownership. Priceline contributes around one quarter of API’s revenue but over 40% of gross profit. While the conversion of stores to include a pharmacy is beneficial for distribution volumes, these stores dilute margin due to more PBS sales, and consequently have contributed to a decline in operating margin since fiscal 2017. Offsetting this is often higher foot traffic and sales. Nonetheless, as guided by management, this conversion process has played out and we expect no margin drag going forward.

Priceline’s key growth strategies are increasing its contribution from online sales and leveraging its loyalty scheme, the Sister Club. However, we have concerns regarding these endeavours. Market statistics suggest the Australian health and beauty retail market is growing at a mid-single-digit pace, which provides an attractive opportunity for API at first blush.

Company’s Future Outlook

API is in a strong financial position with net debt/adjusted EBITDA of 0.2 times at fiscal 2020. We forecast the company to hold a net cash position through fiscal 2025 and comfortably afford a 70% dividend payout ratio and continue to expand its retail footprint. We project API to open roughly 10 net new Priceline stores and five net Clear Skincare clinics per year. We forecast a total of AUD 225 million in capital expenditures over the next five years, including AUD 50 million for a new distribution centre in New South Wales, and also factor in the final AUD 32.9 million payment for Clear Skincare still outstanding. Working capital management has improved over a number of years, effectively having the net investment in working capital to 4.4% of sales over the five years to fiscal 2020. We forecast investment to be roughly maintained at an average of 4.7% of sales.

Bulls Say’s

  • The Priceline and Clear Skincare offerings are relatively high-margin segments and pitched in the beauty and personal-care market which is growing at a mid-single-digit pace.
  • API’s Corporate Priceline stores offers higher margin and more product opportunity than the purely franchise business model of peers Sigma and EBOS.
  • Management has demonstrated that it is opportunistic and having deleveraged the balance sheet, is looking to invest for growth. Value-additive acquisitions could present upside to our fair value estimate.

Company Profile 

Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, or API, is a major Australian pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor. In addition, it is the franchisor of the Priceline Pharmacy network and directly owns and operates stand-alone Priceline stores which sell personal care and beauty products. In an effort to diversify away from the highly regulated low growth and low margin pharma distribution business which contributes 74% of revenue, API is actively growing a consumer brands portfolio and also acquired Clear Skincare, a skin treatment chain. These two emerging businesses each contribute approximately 1% of revenue but are higher margin than the core distribution segment.

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 Small Cap

Praemium Ltd balance sheet remains strong with cash reserves of $26.7m

Businesswoman pointing at diagram in her hands when explaining marketing trends to her team during online meeting

Investment Thesis

  • Merger with powerwrap creates a much better capitalized and resourced competitor in the market, with significant opportunities for synergies.
  • Increase diversification via geography and product offering.
  • Increase competition amongst platform providers such as HUB24, Wealth O2, BT panorama, Netwealth, North Platform, etc.
  • Very attractive Australian industry dynamics – Australian superannuation assets expected to grow at 8.1% p.a to A$9.5 trillion by 2035.
  • Disruptive technology and hold a leading position to grow funds under advice via SMAs.
  • The fallout from the Royal Commission into Australian banking has led to increased inquiries for PPS’ product/services.
  • Growing and maturing SMSF market = more SMSF demand for tailored and specific solutions.
  • Both-on acquisitions to supplement organic growth.
  • Further consolidation in the sector could benefit PPS.

Key Risks

  • Execution risk – delivering on PPS’s strategy or acquisition.
  • Contract or key client loss.
  • Competitive platform/offering.
  • Associated risks in relation to system, technology and software.
  • Operational risks related to service levels and the potential for breaches.
  • Regulatory changes within the wealth management industry.
  • Increased competition from major banks and financial institutions.

FY21 Results Summary

  • Australian business segment delivered revenue growth of +37% over pcp to $53.1m, driven by Platform revenue increase of+73% to $36.5m with Powerwrap revenue of $16.3m amid strong underlying growth from record platform inflows and Portfolio services revenue increase of +6% to $16.1m with VMAAS revenue up +40% from continued portfolio on-boarding. EBITDA declined -2% to $19m, primarily due to the transition of the Powerwrap cost base and some cost expansion to support growth and service across sales, marketing and operations (EBITDA margins declined -14% to 36%), however, management forecast growth investments and scale benefits from Powerwrap synergies will drive improved earnings into FY22.
  • International net revenue (net of product commissions) increased +6% over pcp to $12.5m, driven by Platform revenue growth of +30% to $8.1m from record inflows driving International platform FUA to $5bn (up+ 55%), partially offset by declines in the Smartfund range of managed funds, with fund revenue down -47% to $1.5m. Expenses were up +2% to $16.4m from operational capability to support growth, partially offset by continued cost management. EBITDA loss declined -7% to $3.9m, comprising UK’s EBITDA loss of $1.4m (27% improvement), Asia’s EBITDA loss of $0.9m (1% increase) and the inclusion of Dubai’s cost centre of $1.6m (up 17%).

Company Profile 

Praemium Limited (PPS) is an Australian fintech company which provides portfolio administration, investment platforms and financial planning tools to the wealth management industry.

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.