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LICs LICs

MFF Capital with Low Dividend Yield from 5.5% to 3%

With some of its current assets, long-term performance may be maintained. Visa, MasterCard, Home Depot, CVS Health, Facebook, Berkshire Hathaway, Microsoft, CK Hutchison, Flutter Entertainment, L’Oreal, and JP Morgan Chase are among the companies it owns with a market capitalization of more than 1%.

CMC claims to have produced total shareholder returns (TSR) of 17.5% per annum on average over the last decade, making it one of the best-performing LICs.

MFF Capital’s lower costs are another reason to admire it, aside from the fact that it invests in exceptional companies. Its fees are set, so as it grows in size, it will cost less as a percentage of assets.

MFF Capital’s half-yearly dividend will be increased to 5% per share, according to the board of directors. At today’s MFF Capital share price, a 10% yearly dividend would offer a dividend yield of 5.5%. Recently the company’s dividend policy, effective with the final Dividend for the Financial Year 2020, is 3% for half yearly payouts per ordinary shares.

Currently, the dividend yield is marked approximately around 3%. Its approximate weekly NTA per share was $3.397 (pre-tax) and $2.888 (post-tax) as on July, 2021.

Company Profile

MFF Capital Investments Limited (ASX Code: MFF) is an ASX-listed investment firm with a minimum of 20 stock exchange-listed international and Australian companies. MFF seeks to build a portfolio of firms with appealing business features (“Quality”) that are discounted compared to their intrinsic values (“Value”). Additionally it acts to protect the shareholders interest by minimizing the risk of permanent capital loss.

(Source: fool.com.au)

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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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LICs LICs

NCC With High Dividend Yields of Over 7%

Experience Co Ltd (ASX: EXP), Saunders International Ltd (ASX: SND), and Contango Asset Management Ltd are some of its current investments (ASX: CGA).

COVID-19’s effects on industrial small cap stocks have made things difficult in 2020. Despite this, since its debut in February 2013, Naos Emerging Opportunities has generated an average annual return of 10.1 percent (after expenses but before fees). The same rate is been marked in 2021 also.

The LIC has increased its dividend every year since FY13 due to which the high dividend yield appears to be safe for the next few coming years. It has a profit reserve of 32.7 cents per share, or nearly four years’ worth of dividends at the current rate.

Its current post tax NTA is $1.18 and NCC INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE SINCE INCEPTION is 13.44% marked in June 30, 2021. Even with the strong FY21 performance it is also worth adding that a number of the NCC core investments didn’t perform as expected and, in some cases, actually detracted from overall performance.

 (Source: fool.com.au)

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

The Semiconductor Shortage Is Holding Back Ford’s June Sales

The semiconductor shortage ravaging the auto industry should bottom out in mid-2021, so gradual inventory improvement throughout the year, though a full recovery to take until 2022 or even 2023. The good news is that demand is excellent, with many consumers ready to spend money after holding back vehicle spending last year due to the pandemic.

Ford reported June sales on July 2 that showed the semiconductor shortage is hurting it notably worse than the rest of the industry. Management has repeatedly cited the impact of the Renesas plant fire in Japan as a major problem for Ford. June sales fell year over year by 26.9%, which far underperformed the industry’s 17.8% growth. We don’t see Ford having poor demand. The problem is low supply caused by the semiconductor shortage. With time Ford’s sales to be stronger in the second half of 2021 than the first half. First-half sales rose by 4.9% versus first-half 2020 (which is an easy comparable due to the pandemic), with about equal growth at the Ford and Lincoln brands. The 4.9% lags GM’s first-half 2021 growth of 19.8%. Ford’s first-half volume is down by about 20% from the first half of 2019. The best bright spot in Ford’s June sales is the Lincoln Navigator SUV, which grew volume by 15.5%. Lincoln’s SUVs had a first half of the year sales record, with retail channel sales up 23.3% year over year. June F-Series sales fell by 29.9%, and the company now has over 100,000 reservations for the all-electric F-150 Lightning due next year.

Company Profile

Ford Motor Co. manufactures automobiles under its Ford and Lincoln brands. The company has about 14% market share in the United States and about, 7% share in Europe. Sales in North America and Europe made up 69% and 19.5% of 2020 auto revenue, respectively. Ford has about 186,000 employees, including about 58,000 UAW employees, and is based in Dearborn, Michigan.

(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

Revenue Reaching for the Sky but Earnings to Remain Grounded

Unfortunately, the bright revenue picture is blurred by an uncertain outlook for costs snapping back from COVID-19 related rights relief, and investments needed to execute the strategic plan. EBITDA is projected to fall for two to three years from management’s projected NZD 180 million-plus in fiscal 2021. The trajectory is in line with our current expectation, but the key mystery is where Sky’s fiscal 2024 EBITDA will end up relative to our NZD 110 million forecast.

The current guidance for fiscal 2021 implies second-half EBITDA of NZD 66 million, or roughly NZD 130 million annualised. Our current fiscal 2024 EBITDA forecast of NZD 110 million would then equate to an average decline of 16% from fiscal 2021. It may be tempting to blindly input management’s financial targets into the model, but details from the investor day warrant a longer deliberation. In any case, our unchanged NZD 0.30 fair value estimate (AUD 0.28 at current exchange rates) already implies material upside from Sky’s current stock price. And the no-moat-rated group has attracted “a number of unsolicited approaches around potential transactions” over the past year according to management.

Management View to Launch Broadband Service

Management’s clear rationale for launching the broadband service is also sound (to improve the value and bundle proposition for existing Sky customers), while a continued focus on staking its ground in the fast-growing streaming space is not only positive but necessary. As with all strategic plans, the proof is in the execution. Its degree of difficulty is high, especially the objective of stabilising core pay TV subscriber base while growing streaming customers–a Goldilocks scenario that may be easier said than done. Still, with a pristine balance sheet, management is equipped with ample firepower to continue Sky’s transformation. The group ended December 2020 with an NZD 123 million cash balance, more than enough to repay the NZD 100 million bond (matured in March 2021). It also has an undrawn NZD 200 million facility (maturing July 2023).

Finally, management reaffirmed all current guidance for fiscal 2021. In fact, it even alluded to the potential that EBITDA may exceed the upper end of the NZD 170 to 183 million projected range, suggesting some remnants of COVID-19-related content cost savings and/or continued progress on non-content expense reductions. We have increased our fiscal 2021 EBITDA estimate to NZD 183 million, from NZD 175 million, but our longer-term forecasts are unchanged.

Company Profile

Sky Network Television is the only satellite pay-TV provider in New Zealand, and distributes local and overseas content to its customers through a digital satellite network. It generates subscription and content revenue from these customers. This business is augmented by a free-to-air television channel (Prime) and defensive forays into other distribution channels such as online video-on-demand and online access to live sports.

(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

Recuperation of Paychex in the Fiscal Fourth Quarter

investment stockbroker risk analysis. Financial analysis using phone app and laptop. Market trading profit.

Total revenue during the company’s fiscal fourth quarter was up 12% year over year. The management solutions segment was up 14% compared with the prior-year period, led by increased cross-selling of services outside payroll and an increase in payroll checks per client as businesses started to recover from pandemic lows. The professional employer organization and insurance solutions segment was up 13% as well, due to an increase in worksite employees.

The recovery in Paychex’s top line aided profitability, with operating margins improving to 34.4% from 32.7% last year. The positive effect was partially offset by expenses that were up 10% year over year, mainly due to an increase in performance-based compensation.

Company’s Future Outlook

Management’s current guidance suggests a solid rebound this fiscal year. Paycheck expects total revenue to grow 7% and operating margins to come in at 38%, with both of those levels roughly in line with our long-term expectations for the firm.

Company Profile

Paychex competes in the payroll outsourcing industry. It is the second-largest player in terms of revenue and focuses on providing this service to small and midsize businesses. Paychex was created from the consolidation of 17 payroll processors in 1979 and services about 590,000 clients. The firm has almost 13,000 employees and is based in Rochester, New York.

(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

Woolworths’ Solely Adjusting for the Demerger of Endeavour

Following the demerger of wide-moat Endeavour Group, we maintain our narrow economic moat rating for Woolworths which is underpinned by cost advantages related to the core Australian food segment. Our low uncertainty and Exemplary capital allocation ratings are also unchanged.

Post-demerger of its liquor retailing and hospitality, Woolworths is essentially a pure-play food retailer with significant competitive advantages over its Australian competitors, Coles, Aldi, and independent operators.

Our investment thesis on Woolworths stands. We expect Australian supermarkets to compete by passing on efficiency gains or cost savings to consumers through price cuts, rather than expanding operating margins and potentially losing share.

As a result, we think Woolworths will successfully defend its market share in food retailing at around 37% in the long term, while EBT margins are capped at around 4.5%.

The demerger of Endeavour Group separates perceived environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, risks associated with liquor retailing and gaming operations from Woolworths’ supermarkets business. We consider the now lessened ESG risks for Woolworths’ supermarket and department store businesses as immaterial to our fair value estimate and well mitigated by the company’s existing

Processes and procedures.

Financial Position of the company

Woolworths’ balance sheet improved with the demerger, including a pro forma net cash position of AUD 75 million as of Jan. 3, 2021. This has prompted management to consider capital management options and potential for capital returns of between AUD 1.6 billion and AUD 2.0 billion is flagged—subject to Board approval. We anticipate capital returns of AUD 1.8 billion to shareholders in fiscal 2022, and we expect Woolworths to comfortably pay out around 75% of earnings in dividends going forward. At our revised fair value estimate, Woolworths offers a fully franked dividend yield of 4%.

Company Profile

Woolworths is Australia’s largest retailer. Operations include supermarkets in Australia and New Zealand, and the Big W discount department stores. The Australian food division constitutes the majority of group EBIT, followed by New Zealand supermarkets, while Big W is a minor contributor.

(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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Categories
Funds Funds

Devon Dividend Yield Fund

However, Nick Dravitzki, who had been portfolio manager on this strategy since it was launched in 2012, resigned in early June 2020. Devon’s experienced chief investment officer, Mark Brown is now portfolio manager here. He is assisted by the investment team, which includes managing director Slade Robertson, three portfolio managers, and two senior equities analysts.

The investment team is tight-knit and possesses valuable experience, but in recent years the good quality research and portfolio construction we had come to expect from Devon has marginally declined relative to peers. In addition, a change of portfolio manager, in the short term, can be unsettling for an investment team and strategy. However, Robertson has restructured and reinvigorated the team by hiring two additional analysts and increasing his mentoring of the investment committee. The investment process is straightforward, with an emphasis on fundamental bottom up research. The team invests in companies based on their gross yield to a New Zealand investor and the sustainability of that yield. The 20-25 stock portfolios is high-conviction and therefore carries significant stock- and sector-specific risk, which may result in greater volatility than peers.

Utilities, listed property, and financial services companies typically take up 45%-50% of FUM.

However, there are no restrictions on the amount invested in Australian and New Zealand companies, providing the portfolio manager with significant flexibility to allocate capital where he sees opportunities. Since inception, the strategy has experienced mixed performance. The process worked well up until late 2016, but since early 2017 the strategy has struggled against the index and equity region Australasia Morningstar Category peers. The process behind Devon Equity Income is reasonable, but our conviction is stronger with peers at this time.

Devon Dividend Yield aims to provide investors with a stream of income by constructing a concentrated portfolio of New Zealand and Australian companies, with a 2% blended yield improvement compared with the market. Devon screens the S&P/NZX 50 and S&P/ASX 200 indexes and ranks stocks by their gross dividend yields to a New Zealand investor. Valuation of top-ranked stocks is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology. Devon will go the extra mile to obtain an understanding of the intrinsic value of a business. Fortunately, a healthy travel budget accommodates this, whether for company visitation or investment conferences.

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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Funds Funds

Candriam Equities L Biotechnology Class L USD Cap

Rudi van den Eynde is among the most seasoned investors in the biotechnology sector. His track record on Candriam Equities L Biotechnology spans over more than two decades. He navigated the fund through periods where biotechnology stocks were unpopular and when they became red-hot. His experience in assessing innovations and market potential is invaluable to the fund.

He receives support from a dedicated and growing cast. Comanager Servaas Michielssens started as analyst in 2016 and assumed portfolio manager responsibilities in 2019. Further support comes from three recently hired analysts and a diverse group of external advisors and industry experts.

While we welcome the additional resources given the complexity and growing number of listed biotechnology companies, we also note that team dynamics changed and the effectiveness of the new members is unproven. Keyperson risk remains high in our view, while their workload is considerable–managing two other strategies that have some overlap. The process rests on a solid foundation of thorough research of clinical data. It is well structured and effectively balances the significant opportunities offered by the industry with the binary outcomes of many biotech ventures and the associated volatility of their stock price.

The managers run the fund with a cautious mindset, diversifying the portfolio over a range of disease types, market caps, and clinical trial stages. Although liquidity is not a concern, the substantial rise in assets for this fund and the oncology fund, which have 36 holdings in common per April 2021, needs to be monitored. Candriam would consider soft-closing the biotechnology fund when combined assets reach USD 5 billion, which leaves about 20% of spare capacity.

Despite uninspiring performance over the recent 18-month period, the strategy’s track record remains compelling over longer horizons. The fund’s R USD Cap share class has beaten both the category average and Nasdaq Biotechnology Index over various periods.

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.               

Categories
Dividend Stocks

Avita Therapeutics Inc- outlook

Procedural volumes in the first quarter increased 27% sequentially to 496. As burns treatment is acute and not elective, it cannot be deferred and the reduction in both hospital duration and treatment costs when using RECELL, as opposed to a skin graft, should underpin its use amid a stretched healthcare system. Therefore, while we continue to monitor the resurgence of COVID-19 in the U.S., we think Avita can sustain the estimated first-quarter run-rate of 770 RECELL units and leave our full-year fiscal 2021 unit sales and revenue forecasts of 3,060 and USD 20 million, respectively, unchanged.

The current U.S. approval of the RECELL system is limited to adult burn wounds, however, the applications are far broader. Pivotal clinical trials are underway, and we still anticipate the roll-out of RECELL to be phased to adults outside burn centres in fiscal 2022, paediatric use and vitiligo treatment in fiscal 2023, and soft-tissue reconstruction in fiscal 2025. Key to our valuation is RECELL achieving 45% market share in adults and 20% in children treated at burn centres in the U.S. by fiscal 2025.

Avita is in a healthy financial position and held USD 66 million in cash and no debt as at Sept. 30, 2020. We forecast the company to report a loss of USD 28 million in fiscal 2021, reducing to USD 14 million in fiscal 2022, before positing a USD 5 million profit in fiscal 2023 alongside positive free cash flow.

 (Source: Morningstar)

Disclaimer

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.

Categories
Dividend Stocks

Flight Centre Travel– Trading Update Supports Recovery

Furthermore, the cost of maintaining the physical network (wages, rent) is likely to magnify the impact on earnings from just a slight weakness at the top line. However, the corporate travel unit within Flight Centre is more profitable (lower fixed costs, more automated), structurally more resilient (more essential travel volume, longer growth runway) and will become a bigger part of the group going forward.

Key Investment Considerations

  • The company’s ability to thrive in a weakened retail environment demonstrates earnings resilience.
  • History suggests Flight Centre’s earnings do not benefit significantly from a stronger Australian dollar, while the effect of a weak domestic currency is typically offset by airlines lowering fares, travellers substituting lowerpriced overseas destinations such as Bali, and a rise in higher-margin domestic travel.
  • Flight Centre’s offshore initiatives are still paying off, and we remain optimistic that the firm’s highly developed ability to exploit profitable industry niches will generate acceptable returns overseas.
  • A strong balance sheet allows Flight Centre to take advantage of weakness in the economic cycle via opportunistic acquisitions or increasing market share via investment in marketing initiatives. It also enables the development of new products to more effectively address specific market segments.
  • Brand strength provides a potent underpinning for the blended online/physical store offering.
  • Travel agents are customer aggregators. As it is the largest agent in Australia, scale enables Flight Centre to negotiate favourable deals with travel providers.
  • Domestic market success does not guarantee the sustained success of offshore expansion. The firm’s scale in offshore markets is significantly less than in Australia.
  • Occupancy and staff costs reduce the competitiveness of brick-and-mortar travel agents, such as Flight Centre, relative to online-only competitors who contend with much lower overheads. New generations of consumers are increasingly confident about shopping online, which reduces the cost of market entry for new players.

 (Source: Morningstar)

Disclaimer

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.