Studio Retail Group — Confirming expectations for FY20; FY21 unclear

Studio Retail Group — Confirming expectations for FY20; FY21 unclear

The FY20 trading statement confirms underlying PBT estimates before potential further bad debts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trading in the core retail business is reassuring. Near term, Studio looks relatively well placed given it is trading when others are not, mark-down risk on clothing is relatively low versus competitors, its value-based offer may become more attractive as consumer incomes fall and its key trading period is towards the end of the year. We withdraw our forecasts for FY21 given the wider economic uncertainty including potentially higher bad debts.

Russell Pointon

Written by

Russell Pointon

Director, Consumer

Studio Retail Group GGroup<Company name>

Confirming expectations for FY20; FY21 unclear

FY20 trading update

Retail

27 April 2020

Price

190p

Market cap

£164m

Net debt (£m) at 27 March 2020

53

Shares in issue

86.4m

Free float

61%

Code

STU

Primary exchange

LSE

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Studio Retail Group is a multi-channel retailer operating across the business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketplaces. It is a market-leading value retailer and educational resource supplier in the UK.

Analysts

Russell Pointon

+44 (0)20 3077 5757

Neil Shah

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Studio Retail Group is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

The FY20 trading statement confirms underlying PBT estimates before potential further bad debts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trading in the core retail business is reassuring. Near term, Studio looks relatively well placed given it is trading when others are not, mark-down risk on clothing is relatively low versus competitors, its value-based offer may become more attractive as consumer incomes fall and its key trading period is towards the end of the year. We withdraw our forecasts for FY21 given the wider economic uncertainty including potentially higher bad debts.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*

(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

PE
(x)

Yield
(%)

03/18

479.6

26.8

25.9

0.0

7.3

N/A

03/19

506.8

28.8

26.5

0.0

7.2

N/A

03/20e

534.5

30.7

29.6

0.0

6.4

N/A

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

In H220, which includes the peak trading period to Christmas, revenue for the retail business, Studio (84% of revenue), grew by 5% to give annual growth of c 3%. We were forecasting 7% growth for FY20, so trading in the less-important Q4 slowed after a very strong Q3, as indicated at the interims. Underlying PBT for FY20 will be in the middle of the current consensus, in line with our forecast, before any additional bad debts that may follow the economic downturn due to COVID-19.

Current trading in Studio is good, with revenue ahead of the prior year despite the lockdown. Education (c 14% of revenue) is more challenged, with demand down by 70–80%, but staff cost savings will mitigate some of the shortfall.

The proposed sale of Education for £35m net (£50m gross) proceeds has been delayed a little, most likely completing in August due to schools being closed and the lockdown, making it more difficult for the CMA to complete the review. Meanwhile, management believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet near-term requirements.

Due to uncertainty from COVID-19, management is unable to provide guidance for FY21. The results for FY20 will be published later than the traditional early June date, mostly due to the practicalities of completing an audit while in lockdown.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Studio Retail Group and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Studio Retail Group. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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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

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

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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

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Studio Retail Group and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Studio Retail Group. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: 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 and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. 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.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, 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 securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. 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, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

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. 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 (i.e. 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.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison 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.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison 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. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

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

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, 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

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Research: Investment Companies

EJF Investments — Dividend maintained

EJI Investments (EJFI) has announced that it will pay its 2.675p quarterly dividend on 29 May as scheduled. The decision to maintain the dividend contrasts with most of its peers, which are either suspending or reducing them. This reflects the cash-generative nature of EJFI’s portfolio and that it has remained in relatively good shape. Its NAV fell by 13.6% in March, but 7.5% was FX related. COVID-19 has clouded the economic outlook and affects the high-yield credit collateral backing the CLO tranches. This in turns leads to lower valuations in the CLO equity investments that account for most of the EJFI’s portfolio. However, the impact has been exacerbated by primary dealers de-risking and collateral confusion regarding what could be used for US Fed repo operations and what was eligible for the US government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program. EJFI believes that with greater clarity the market disruption should subside and notes that there have been no crystallised losses in its portfolio. The current dividend yield is 7.8%.

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