- Additional cost savings, notably a large reduction in corporate overhead expenditures.
- The ATO and HT1 are anticipated to reach an agreement in the near future.
- Changes in media ownership rules could lead to more corporate activity. Upside to the valuation of Soprano (25% interest)
- Initiatives for capital management that are still in progress.
- A solid financial statement.
Key Risks
- Decline in advertising dollars (radio and outdoor), particularly if Australia’s retail industry is under stress.
- The structure of radio is being disrupted.
- Increased tender competition from large players.
- With worldwide expansion, there is a danger of poor execution.
- The tax liabilities of the Australian Taxation Office materialize at a higher level than expected by the market.
- Hong Kong could detract from the group’s performance (Corona virus or protests escalate).
- Lockdowns relating to Covid-19 are being reintroduced around the country.
1H CY21 group results
HT1 had a great first half of the year, owing to a solid market recovery. Core revenue increased by 18.2 percent to $109.9 million, underlying EBITDA increased by 55.9% to $30.4 million, underlying EBIT increased by 139.5 percent to $23.7 million, and NPAT increased by 352.8 percent to $16.3 million. On a like-for-like basis, group sales increased by 21%, owing to higher consumer confidence and advertising spend in Australia and Hong Kong. Higher cost of sales (ongoing investment in digital audio capability) and the resumption of marketing and certain discretionary spending that were deferred to the pandemic in the pcp drove up operating costs (up +9% vs pcp, or up +12% on a similar basis). The Board reinstated the dividend and announced a fully franked interim dividend of 3.5cps vs. zero in the PCP due to strengthening market circumstances.
Company Description
HT&E Limited (HT1) is a media and entertainment company with operations in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. The Company operates the following key segments: (1) Australian Radio Network (ARN) – metropolitan radio networks including KIIS Network, The Edge96.One and Mix106.3 Canberra; (2) Hong KongOutdoor (Cody) – Billboard, transit and other outdoor advertising in Hong Kong, with over 300 outdoor advertising panels and in-bus multimedia advertising across 1,200 buses; and (3) Digital Investments – digital assets including iHeartRadio, Emotive and Conversant Media.
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.