EMIS Group — Loss of Welsh GP business

EMIS Group (AIM: EMIS)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

GBP19.20

0.00 (0.00%)

Market capitalisation

GBP1,232m

More on this equity

Research: TMT

EMIS Group — Loss of Welsh GP business

EMIS has been informed that it has not been selected as a preferred vendor for the NHS Wales Primary Care framework agreement. The 195 GP practices currently using EMIS Web, which generate annual revenues of c £2m at below group average operating margins, will need to transition to a new supplier over the course of FY19 and FY20. We estimate that this could have a less than 0.5% impact on FY19 EPS and less than 1% on an ongoing basis once all practices have transitioned. So soon after the news regarding issues in the customer support process, this is clearly disappointing. However, the financial impact is marginal and confirms that EMIS is focused on profitability when winning or retaining business.

Katherine Thompson

Written by

Katherine Thompson

Director

TMT

EMIS Group

Loss of Welsh GP business

Contract news

Software & comp services

30 January 2018

Price

774p

Market cap

£490m

Net cash (£m) at end FY17

14.0

Shares in issue

63.3m

Free float

98%

Code

EMIS

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

(21.2)

(17.6)

(8.4)

Rel (local)

(21.0)

(19.4)

(15.2)

52-week high/low

1017p

767p

Business description

EMIS is a clinical software supplier to the primary care market in the UK (supplying over 50% of UK GP practices), a software supplier to UK pharmacies, and through several acquisitions also supplies specialist and acute care software.

Next events

FY17 results

14 March 2018

Analysts

Katherine Thompson

+44 (0)20 3077 5730

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5729

EMIS Group is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

EMIS has been informed that it has not been selected as a preferred vendor for the NHS Wales Primary Care framework agreement. The 195 GP practices currently using EMIS Web, which generate annual revenues of c £2m at below group average operating margins, will need to transition to a new supplier over the course of FY19 and FY20. We estimate that this could have a less than 0.5% impact on FY19 EPS and less than 1% on an ongoing basis once all practices have transitioned. So soon after the news regarding issues in the customer support process, this is clearly disappointing. However, the financial impact is marginal and confirms that EMIS is focused on profitability when winning or retaining business.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

Dil EPS*
(p)

EMIS adj. dil. EPS** (p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/16

158.7

39.2

49.4

49.2

23.4

15.7

3.0

12/17e

165.0

37.0

45.7

46.8

25.8

17.0

3.3

12/18e

173.7

38.3

47.1

48.7

26.8

16.4

3.5

12/19e

183.5

43.0

53.0

54.6

27.8

14.6

3.6

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments. **EMIS adjusted EPS – cash accounts for development costs and excludes exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles.

Not chosen for NHS Wales GP framework agreement

EMIS currently supplies 195 GP practices in Wales, 4% of its total GP estate in the UK. NHS Wales has undertaken a procurement process for its GP software framework agreement and has just announced that it has not selected EMIS to be on this framework. This means that GP practices currently using EMIS software will need to transition to a new supplier over the course of 2019 and 2020. While obviously disappointing news, the company viewed the contract as carrying disproportionate risk for the revenues on offer.

Modest financial impact starting in FY19

The company noted that revenues from Welsh practices currently stand at c £2m per annum, at a profit margin significantly below the group average. Even if all practices transitioned away in 2019, we would still expect a revenue contribution of c £1m in FY19 and, at an operating margin of 15% (our estimate; group margin was 22.1% in H117), this would equate to a reduction in EMIS adjusted EPS of 0.4%. Once fully transitioned away, we estimate net income would be lower by c £240k per annum. We maintain our forecasts pending FY17 results on 14 March.

Valuation: Reflects uncertainty

The stock is trading on a P/E multiple of 16.4x FY18e and 14.6x FY19e normalised EPS. On EMIS-adjusted forecasts, the stock is trading at a P/E of 15.9x FY18e and 14.2x FY19e, which is at a discount to international healthcare software peers and UK software companies. Further clarity that the scale and cost of the customer support issues are contained should provide support to the share price.

Exhibit 1: Financial summary

£'000s

2014

2015

2016

2017e

2018e

2019e

Year end 31 December

PROFIT & LOSS

Revenue

 

 

137,639

155,898

158,712

164,955

173,684

183,534

Cost of Sales

(12,782)

(12,955)

(14,151)

(15,440)

(17,229)

(18,665)

Gross Profit

124,857

142,943

144,561

149,515

156,455

164,868

EBITDA

 

 

47,645

51,964

52,288

50,275

52,003

56,679

Operating Profit (before amort. of acq. intang, SBP and except.)

34,787

37,123

38,897

36,562

37,790

42,366

EMIS adjusted operating profit

 

 

32,639

36,553

38,753

37,275

38,795

43,377

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

(6,269)

(6,509)

(6,639)

(6,718)

(6,718)

(6,718)

Exceptionals

873

(18,500)

(6,714)

(14,000)

0

0

Share-based payments

(270)

(684)

(473)

(1,000)

(1,000)

(1,000)

Operating Profit

29,121

11,430

25,071

14,844

30,072

34,648

Net Interest

(543)

(449)

(237)

(150)

(50)

0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

34,206

36,625

39,159

37,012

38,340

42,966

Profit Before Tax (FRS 3)

 

 

28,540

10,932

25,333

15,294

30,622

35,248

Tax

(5,719)

(5,558)

(5,208)

(3,059)

(6,124)

(7,050)

Profit After Tax (norm)

27,617

29,801

32,175

29,610

30,672

34,373

Profit After Tax (FRS3)

22,821

5,374

20,125

12,235

24,498

28,198

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

62.8

62.7

62.8

62.9

62.9

62.9

EPS - normalised & diluted (p)

 

 

42.8

46.0

49.4

45.7

47.1

53.0

EPS - EMIS adjusted & diluted (p)

 

 

39.4

45.1

49.2

46.8

48.7

54.6

EPS - FRS 3 (p)

 

 

35.3

7.2

30.4

18.2

37.5

43.3

Dividend (p)

18.4

21.2

23.4

25.8

26.8

27.8

Gross Margin (%)

90.7%

91.7%

91.1%

90.6%

90.1%

89.8%

EBITDA Margin (%)

34.6%

33.3%

32.9%

30.5%

29.9%

30.9%

Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%)

25.3%

23.8%

24.5%

22.2%

21.8%

23.1%

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

166,415

143,546

133,292

125,361

116,930

108,399

Intangible Assets

139,397

121,383

110,953

102,122

92,991

83,860

Tangible Assets

24,313

22,032

22,187

23,087

23,787

24,387

Other fixed assets

2,705

131

152

152

152

152

Current Assets

 

 

37,221

39,800

46,088

50,103

58,431

79,259

Stocks

1,550

1,206

1,815

1,815

1,815

1,815

Debtors

28,732

33,893

39,970

41,126

43,302

45,758

Cash

6,939

4,701

4,303

7,162

13,314

31,686

Current Liabilities

 

 

(67,665)

(63,819)

(56,158)

(50,925)

(53,518)

(56,445)

Creditors

(54,763)

(51,960)

(51,425)

(50,925)

(53,518)

(56,445)

Short term borrowings

(12,902)

(11,859)

(4,733)

0

0

0

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(21,063)

(12,481)

(9,080)

(9,080)

(9,080)

(9,080)

Long term borrowings

(5,854)

(1,951)

0

0

0

0

Other long term liabilities

(15,209)

(10,530)

(9,080)

(9,080)

(9,080)

(9,080)

Net Assets

 

 

114,908

107,046

114,142

115,459

112,763

122,134

CASH FLOW

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

44,856

42,711

43,657

43,619

43,421

57,149

Net Interest

(445)

(422)

(324)

(50)

50

100

Tax

(5,247)

(6,896)

(7,655)

(7,402)

(7,668)

(8,593)

Capex

(15,161)

(14,058)

(12,084)

(12,500)

(12,500)

(12,500)

Acquisitions/disposals

(9,959)

(4,587)

(1,790)

0

0

0

Financing

(1,578)

492

881

(500)

(500)

(500)

Dividends

(10,792)

(14,532)

(14,006)

(15,575)

(16,651)

(17,284)

Net Cash Flow

1,674

2,708

8,679

7,592

6,152

18,372

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

13,491

11,817

9,109

430

(7,162)

(13,314)

HP finance leases initiated

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

11,817

9,109

430

(7,162)

(13,314)

(31,686)

Source: EMIS, Edison Investment Research

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by EMIS Group and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd (AFSL: 427484)) and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. This document is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (ie without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2018. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by EMIS Group and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd (AFSL: 427484)) and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. This document is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (ie without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2018. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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