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Expert Insights Shares Small Cap

Ampol the Latest to Join the Energy M&A Frenzy with Bid for No-Moat Z Energy

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in line with the Ampol’s bid. The decline in value is in accord with the terms of a proposed merger and our prior standalone fair value estimates. Merger and acquisition activity continues at a frenetic pace in the Australasian fossil fuel space, coronavirus fragility and carbon concerns marking some as prey. Ampol is proposing an NZD 3.78 per share cash offer for Z Energy via scheme of arrangement. Australia’s largest refined fuel retailer has been granted a four week-exclusivity period in which to undertake due diligence prior to formalising the offer for its smaller New Zealand counterpart.

The equity issuance may take the form of partial share consideration to Z shareholders. Or Ampol may simply conducting a pro rata entitlement offer to its own shareholders, which would be done following regulatory approval and nearer the date of completion. Ampol may have to sell-down some NZ assets to meet NZ competition guidelines. This could include its Gull network. With Ampol shares falling on the bid news, and Z Energy shares rising but not meeting the bid price, the implication is the market on balance thinks Ampol is paying too much, or at least that the bid won’t succeed. The natural question is how do we reconcile this with our much higher standalone valuation for Z.

Company’s Future Outlook 

Despite there being no certainty that discussions will result in a binding agreement, we think the chance of success is high. The latest is apparently the fourth in a series of nonbinding offers from Ampol, including at NZD 3.35, NZD 3.50, and NZD 3.60 along the way. And there is logic to a merger– Ampol and Z have very similar business models. Z Energy’s board wouldn’t have opened the books if the chance of a deal proceeding was low. At NZD 3.78 Ampol will be getting Z Energy at a material 33% discount to our NZD 5.60 standalone fair value. 

Our formal recommendation for Z shareholders is don’t accept, based solely upon the offer’s material discount to our NZD 5.60 standalone fair value. However, we suspect that advice is likely to prove academic. Z shares rose just over 14% on the day to NZD 3.48, though still 8% below the proposed bid level. They have moved just into 4-star territory from 3-star prior. Z Energy shares have been in the doldrums for over two years given intense retail fuel competition in New Zealand, more recently exacerbated by COVID-19 disruption.

The shares have fallen from a peak of NZD 8.65 and have only recently show signs of life from NZD 2.56 lows. Ampol’s most recent offer price represents a 24% premium to the last NZD 3.04 close. We suspect there is Z Energy shareholder fatigue that might help Ampol’s offer along. However, if Ampol’s bid were to fall over, our stand-alone Z Energy fair value estimate is unchanged at NZD 5.60.

Company Profile 

Z Energy was born of the purchase of Shell New Zealand’s downstream operations by Infratil and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund in 2010. It has since transitioned to New Zealand’s largest stand-alone retailer of refined petroleum products and meets close to half of the nation’s transport fuel requirements, serving both retail and commercial customers. The principal activities of Z Energy are importing, distributing and selling transport fuel and related products. The business has scale and sells a full range of transport fuels.

(Source: Morningstar)

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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.

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Philosophy Technical Picks Technology Stocks

Nanosonics Still Screens as Materially Overvalued

 as evidenced by penetration of over 75% in Australia and New Zealand and 40% in North America. Moreover, the device patent expires in 2025, leading to slower volume growth in the medium term. Moreover, the device patent expires in 2025, leading to slower volume growth in the medium term. In 2021 consumables contributed 63% of group revenue. 

Nanosonics primarily distributes via GE Healthcare, its partner across multiple geographies. We estimate consumables to roughly earn a gross margin of 85% and devices 65% by fiscal 2026. Outside of trophon, the company expects to launch a new product in flexible endoscope cleaning in 2023. Previously, management intimated the addressable market to be equivalent to trophon and there is greater awareness of the infection issue this product addresses. 

Financial Strength

Nanosonics is in a net cash position and free cash flow positive. The operating model does not require significant capital investment, with the key investments for growth stemming from ongoing R&D spending, building out a salesforce and working capital. Despite having 60-day terms from distribution partners, the current net investment in working capital runs at approximately 28% of revenue due to high inventory holding levels which average roughly 200 days in stock. phase. The company first posted a profit in fiscal 2016 and is yet to pay a dividend, nor do we expect it to in the future as it invests in underpenetrated markets and its pipeline product.

Our fair value for narrow-moat Nanosonics by 13% to AUD 3.50 following fiscal 2021 results. Roughly half of our upgrade is attributed to increasing consumable usage across the trophon installed base and the remainder due to a stronger USD. A clear highlight was second-half fiscal 2021 consumables revenue in North America, or NA, increasing 30% sequentially to AUD 33 million as ultrasound procedure volumes recovered. For the first time since fiscal 2016, new installations in NA increased year on year, with 2,490 trophon units added in fiscal 2021. 

While the second half added 1,360 new units in NA, the run-rate has significantly declined from 2,000 new installations in first-half fiscal 2017. Revenue in the region declined 1% sequentially to just AUD 3.6 million in the second half. Nanosonics is in a strong financial position with AUD 96 million in net cash at fiscal 2021 year-end. Nanosonics’ next major product, dubbed Coris, aims to automate flexible endoscope cleaning but has been delayed to calendar 2023. Details remain scant and we continue to expect uptake of Coris to mirror that of the trophon post-launch. This results in AUD 84 million in sales by fiscal 2031, or 23% of group revenue.

Bulls Say’s 

  • Nanosonics is the market leader in automated HLD of ultrasound probes with significant further market penetration potential in most regions.
  • Establishing its direct distribution model should increase the gross margins achieved by Nanosonics once it reaches critical mass.
  • The company has reached a pivotal point where higher margin consumables dominate the revenue stream. This revenue stream is also protected by patents and the installed trophon device base.

Company Profile 

Nanosonics is a single-product company and its trophon device provides high-level disinfection, or HLD, of ultrasound probes used in semi-critical procedures. The patented technology uses low temperature sonically activated hydrogen peroxide mist that is suitable for probes sensitive to damage. Automated HLD is increasingly being adopted as the standard of care globally as it is superior in preventing cross-infection across patients. Nanosonics’ revenue is made up of capital sales of trophon units, ongoing consumables sales, and service revenue. At June 2021, there were 26,750 trophon units installed globally. Market penetration rates range from over 75% in Australia and New Zealand, roughly 40% in the United States to low-single-digit penetration in EMEA and elsewhere in Asia-Pacific.

(Source: Morningstar)

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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.

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Dividend Stocks

Medtronic Begins Fiscal 2022 in Solid Fashion; No Change to Our Fair Value Estimate

For the year 2020 the firms revenue was USD 30117 million and EBIT was USD 5210 Million. We’re holding steady on our fair value estimate as these early results are generally consistent with our full year projections. 

Medtronic’s organic quarterly revenue growth of 19% year over year was fairly broad based, marked by share gains in cardiac rhythm management and surgical innovations. The diabetes franchise remains the weak link as competitors have launched new products, while Medtronic is still navigating the domestic regulatory pathway for its next-gen 780g insulin pump and Synergy sensor. In the meantime, Tandem and Insulet both posted strong second-quarter pump growth of 58% and 16%, respectively. Medtronic’s typical fiscal quarter timing, includes July, which provides a better peek into however the rise of the Delta variant has damped procedure volume growth. 

The firms Spyral HTN On-Med pivotal study results, which may be released in November will be very interesting herein the firm anticipates an interim look at the data in the next couple of months. If the findings are as favorable as seen in the earlier feasibility trial, then we’re optimistic Medtronic’s renal denervation platform could be launched by early 2023. We project this market to reach $4.2 billion by 2030, and Medtronic continues to enjoy a two- to four-year head start over competitors. 

Company Profile

One of the largest medical device companies, Medtronic develops and manufactures therapeutic medical devices for chronic diseases. Its portfolio includes pacemakers, defibrillators, heart valves, stents, insulin pumps, spinal fixation devices, neurovascular products, advanced energy, and surgical tools. The company markets its products to healthcare institutions and physicians in the United States and overseas. Foreign sales account for almost 50% of the company’s total sales.

 (Source: Morningstar)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Newcrest Mining’s Strong Financial Performance For FY21

Investment Thesis 

• The present share price is trading at a more than 10% discount to our equal weighted (DCF, PE-Multiple, EV / EBITDA) valuation of NCM.

• Among gold mining peers in Australia, NCM has one of the lowest cost bases.

• NCM has one of the lowest cost bases among gold mining peers in Australia. The sustained cost outs will lower the All-in Sustaining Cash Cost (AISC), subject to currency fluctuations (AUD).

• Commodity prices (gold and copper) surprise on the upside, owing to geopolitical worries.

• Leveraged to global monetary policy decisions and the USD, which we view appreciating against other currencies, notably the Australian dollar. 

• NCM has organic development options at Lihir, Cadia, and Golpu.

• NCM offers expansion opportunities at Havieron and Red Chris.

• Strong assets with a lengthy reserve life.

• A solid management team with significant mining expertise.

Key Risks

• Further weakening global macroeconomic conditions.

• A decrease in the group’s output profile.

• Reduced free cash flow means the company will fail its dividend projections.

• A worsening in the global supply and demand equilibrium.

• A decline in gold and copper prices.

• Production difficulties, execution risk, delay, or unscheduled mine shutdown.

• Negative fluctuations in the AUD/USD.

FY21 results summary

Actual earnings of $1,164 million climbed +55 percent year on year, owing to higher realised gold (up +17 percent year on year) and copper (up +42 percent year on year) prices, favourable fair value adjustments recognised on copper derivatives, and other factors, NCM’s investment in the Fruta del Norte finance facilities, and record copper production from Cadia, partially offset by lower gold sales volumes due to lower production (down -3.6 percent year on year), increased income tax expense as a result of the Company’s improved profitability, the unfavourable impact on operating costs (including depreciation) from the strengthening of the AUD against the USD, additional costs associated with COVID-19 measures ($70 million), higher treatment, refining, and transshipment costs and higher Price linked costs such as royalties. Record FCF of $1,104m was mainly due to to pcp, which was characterised by a net cash outflow of $1,291m relating to M&A growth investments, compared to a $21m outflow in the current period (FCF before M&A activity was $455m, +68% higher than pcp, with higher operating cash flows only partially offset by increased investment in major capital projects at Cadia, Increased production stripping activity at Lihir and Red Chris, as well as higher sustaining capital at all ongoing operations).

Company Description 

Newcrest Mining Limited (NCM)engages in the exploration, mine development, mine operation, and the sale of gold and gold/copper concentrates. It is also involved in the exploration of silver deposits. The company primarily owns and operates mines and projects located in Cadia and Telfer in Australia; Lihir based in Papua New Guinea; Gosowong based in Indonesia; Bonikro based in Cote dIvoire in West Africa.

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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.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Stronger iron ore and copper prices, contributed to the strong earnings results for BHP.

Investment Thesis 

  • BHP is trading at fair market value but with an attractive dividend yield, according to our blended valuation (consisting of DCF, PE multiple, and EV/EBITDA multiple).
  • Commodity prices, particularly iron ore prices, have fallen as a result of lower Chinese demand.
  • In the absence of growth opportunities, focus on returning excess free cash flow to shareholders (hence the solid dividend yield).
  • Quality assets with a low cost structure and a dominant market position.
  • China’s growth rate outperforms market expectations.
  • In the medium to long term, management favours oil and copper.
  • A strong balance sheet position.
  • Continued emphasis on productivity gains.

Key Risks

We see the following key risks to our investment thesis: 

  • Poor implementation of corporate strategy.
  • If the coronavirus is not contained, it will have a long-term impact on demand.
  • Global macroeconomic conditions have deteriorated.
  • The global iron ore/oil supply and demand equation has deteriorated.
  • Price declines in commodities.
  • Production halt or unplanned site shutdown
  • AUD/USD fluctuation

Investment in the Jansen Stage 1 potash project:-

BHP has approved US$5.7 billion in capital expenditures for the Jansen Stage. 1. Potash exposure, according to management, provides increased leverage to key global megatrends such as growing population, alternative chosen, emissions reductions, and improved environmental stewardship. BHP expects Jansen S1 to generate 4.35 million tonnes of potash per year, with first ore expected in CY27 (construction to take six years, followed by a two-year ramp up). “At consensus prices, the go-forward investment in Jansen S1 is anticipated to produce an internal rate of return of 12 to 14 percent, a payback period of seven years from first production, and an underlying EBITDA margin of 70 percent,” management stated. Surprisingly, BHP evaluated the carrying value of its current potash asset base and recognised a pre-tax impairment charge of US$1.3 billion (or US$2.1 billion).

Company Description  

BHP Group Limited (BHP) is a diversified global mining company, with dual listing on the London Stock Exchange and Australia Stock Exchange. The company’s principal business lines are mineral exploration and production, including coal, iron ore, gold, titanium, ferroalloys, nickel and copper concentrate. The company also has petroleum exploration, production and refining.

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

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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)

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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.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Record Profit for Newcrest Mining Sees it in Strong Financial Shape for New Developments

The improvement was principally driven by commodity prices, with the realised gold and copper prices up 17% and 42%, respectively. Production guidance for fiscal 2022 of about 1.9 million ounces of gold and 125,000 to 130,000 tonnes of copper was basically as we expected but cost guidance is a bit higher but not sufficiently to warrant a fair value estimate change and thus we retain its share fair value estimate at AUD 29.50 per share 

Newcrest is in very strong financial shape post the record profit. We also think the company has a decent suite of development projects with life extensions likely at Cadia and Lihir, and development of Havieron and Red Chris looking likely. Newcrest remains one of our better value picks among generally overvalued miners. Gold could get also a second wind from an investor flight to safety given the threat posed by the COVID-19 delta variant.

Newcrest remains busy on the exploration and development front. Approval of the next panel cave at Cadia was expected and we continue to think Newcrest is likely to mine there for multiple decades. New project activity remains focused primarily on exploration, development and feasibility studies at Havieron and Red Chris. The recent, and expected, extension to the Telfer open pit will provide an important bridge to production from Havieron, as well as allow Newcrest to continue to explore further potential for life extensions at Telfer itself. We continue to be encouraged by the exploration results at Red Chris with Newcrest focused on growing the higher-grade zone. Like with Cadia’s development, the high-grade zones help to underpin the initial large-scale underground mining effort and infrastructure expenditure, and subsequently open up the broader lower-grade mineralisation for profitable mining.

On the other hand, the tailwind from increased gold and copper prices in fiscal 2021 more than offset a 4% reduction in gold production. EBITDA increased 29% to USD 2.4 billion. Likewise, net operating cash flow after tax was strong, rising 56% to USD 2.3 billion. Newcrest has about USD 240 million net cash and the strong financial position was reflected in a more than doubling of the final dividend to USD 40 cents fully franked. The full year payout of USD 55 cents fully franked more than doubled last year’s USD 25 cent fully franked total.

The increasing shareholder returns are an appropriate use of funds given the windfall cash flows from higher gold and copper prices. We expect net operating cash flows to likely more than cover Newcrest’s likely capital expenditure requirements for the next few years. However, we expect future dividends to decline from the fiscal 2021 payout to average nearly USD 40 cents a share to fiscal 2026. The forecast reflects our expectation for earnings to fall with forecast declines in gold and copper prices from 2021’s elevated levels. We expect dividends to remain a secondary consideration for Newcrest, with the primary focus on value creation through efficient operation of the mines, exploration and developments.

Company profile

Newcrest is an Australia-based gold and, to a lesser extent, copper miner. Operations are predominantly in Australia and Papua New Guinea, with a smaller mine in Canada. Cash costs are below the industry average, underpinned by improvements at Lihir and Cadia. Newcrest is one of the larger global gold producers but accounts for less than 3% of total supply. Gold mining is relatively fragmented.

(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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Dividend Stocks

Streamlined Portfolio Should Continue to See Solid Demand as Apartments Recover

The company invests in metropolitan markets with solid demographic trends that allow the company to maintain high occupancies and pass along consistent rent increases. Demand for apartments depends on economic conditions in their markets like job growth, income growth, decreasing homeownership rates, high relative cost of single-family housing, and attractive urban centers. Apartment Income has significantly simplified and streamlined its portfolio and strategy over the past decade. 

While the company has decreased its portfolio from over 300 properties at the end of 2008 to 96 properties in the current portfolio, the company owns approximately the same number of assets over that time frame in the 8 markets it currently considers to be its core markets. The company’s exit from markets with lower growth prospects has increased the portfolio’s expected average growth. In 2020, Apartment Income spun off its development pipeline and lease-up portfolio into its own company so that the remaining company could focus on the highest-quality assets.

Financial Strength 

Apartment Income is in decent financial shape from a liquidity and a solvency perspective. Debt maturities in the near term should be manageable through a combination of refinancing, asset sale proceeds, and free cash flow. The company should be able to access the capital markets when acquisition and development opportunities arise. As a REIT, Apartment Income is required to pay out 90% of its income as dividends to shareholders, which limits its ability to retain its cash flow. However, the company’s current run-rate dividend is easily covered by the company’s cash flow from operating activities, providing Apartment Income plenty of flexibility to make capital allocation and investment decisions. 

Fair value estimate to $47.50 per share from $44 after incorporating second-quarter results and adjusting our near-term forecasts to account for a better-than-anticipated recovery from the pandemic. Our fair value estimate implies a 4.3% cap rate on our forward four-quarter net operating income forecast, 23 times multiple on our forward four-quarter funds from operations estimate, and 3.5% dividend yield based on a $1.64 annualized payout. Currently project $200 million of dispositions a year at an average cap rate of 5.75% and $100 million-$200 million of acquisitions at 5.25% cap rates as the company looks to recycle lower-quality assets to fund the acquisition of higher-quality assets. Apartment Income’s net asset value to be approximately $39 per share.

Bulls Say’s

  • Apartment Income’s diversified portfolio of mainly suburban and infill assets should see less impact from supply, which is more concentrated in urban, luxury markets.
  • Positive demographic and economic trends will fuel strong demand for apartment rentals, including the millennial generation, which is beginning to move to the suburbs but still lack the necessary capital to purchase a home.
  • While supply growth may be near a peak now, rising construction prices and higher lending standards will reduce construction starts and reduce supply growth in the future.

Company Profile 

Apartment Investment and Management Co. owns a portfolio of 96 apartment communities with over 26,000 units. The company focuses on owning large, high-quality properties in the urban and suburban submarkets of Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

(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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Dividend Stocks

Tapestry Closed F.Y.21 on Good Note with Attractive Shares

Handbags and some types of apparel have been selling well as economies in the U.S. and greater China have recovered. Tapestry has good momentum as it enters fiscal 2022, so it is expected to lift share fair value estimate of $43.50 by a mid-single-digit percentage. Tapestry is one of the few firms in the apparel and accessories space that is currently undervalued, especially after its share price slid 3% after the earnings report.

Against an easy comparison, Tapestry reported constant currency sales growth of 122% in the quarter, eclipsing 118% estimate. More importantly, its sales rose 7% as compared with 2019, with most of the growth attributable to Coach. As targeted by the Acceleration Program, the firm achieved the $200 million in gross expense savings in fiscal 2021 and expects to achieve $300 million in additional savings this year. 

Tapestry has reinstated its dividend as its business has rebounded nicely from the pandemic, and plans to resume share repurchases. It intends to pay a dividend of $1 per share in fiscal 2022. Capital allocation rating on Tapestry is Standard.

Company’s Future Outlook

Tapestry’s quarterly adjusted operating margin of 16.9% came in 40 basis points above 16.5% forecast. Tapestry guided to fiscal 2022 EPS of $3.30-$3.35 on $6.4 billion in sales. Tapestry’s outlook is achievable based on current momentum in the business. It is believed that Coach has the brand strength to hold recent pricing gains; this may be more difficult for Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman. It also guided to $500 million in repurchases in fiscal 2022, which would be its most since before the 2017 Kate Spade deal. Tapestry may look for another large acquisition in the future. The firm’s new CEO, Scott Roe, has considerable experience with acquisitions. 

Company Profile

Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman are the fashion and accessory brands that comprise Tapestry INC (NYSE:TPR). The firm’s products are sold through about 1,500 company-operated stores, wholesale channels, and e-commerce in North America (62% of fiscal 2020 sales), Europe, Asia (32% of fiscal 2020 sales), and elsewhere. Coach (71% of fiscal 2020 sales) is best known for affordable luxury leather products. Kate Spade (23% of fiscal 2020 sales) is known for colorful patterns and graphics. Women’s handbags and accessories produced 68% of Tapestry’s sales in fiscal 2020. Stuart Weitzman, Tapestry’s smallest brand, generates nearly all (98%) of its revenue from women’s footwear.

 (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.