Mutares — Opportunities in a distressed environment

Mutares (FRA: MUX)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

EUR35.60

−0.35 (−0.97%)

Market capitalisation

EUR758m

More on this equity

Research: Industrials

Mutares — Opportunities in a distressed environment

Mutares (MUX) specialises in restructuring distressed companies and expects new opportunities to arise amid the current crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. STS’s plants located in China have returned to operations and MUX’s focus in terms of current restructuring actions is in benefiting from the end of lockdown and improved economic activity. In 2019, MUX was particularly active in M&A, with 10 investments announced, including six new platforms. These resulted in significant gains on bargain purchases and a solid EPS increase. Consequently, management recommended a €1.00 dividend per share for FY19, translating into an attractive 9.3% yield. MUX’s liquidity was strengthened with the recent €50m bond issue.

Milosz Papst

Written by

Milosz Papst

Director, Financials

Industrials

Mutares

Opportunities in a distressed environment

Industrials

Scale research report - Update

21 April 2020

Price

€10.8

Market cap

€167m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

MUX

Listing

Deutsche Börse Scale

Shares in issue

15.2m

Last reported net cash at end-FY19

€22.2m

Business description

Founded and listed in 2008, Mutares acquires special situation companies that are underperforming and can be turned around through financial and operational restructuring. It currently owns multiple companies across three focus industries.

Bull

Exposure to a portfolio of potentially high-growth recovery companies actively managed by experienced industry professionals.

Prospect of high dividends following exits.

Company specialises in underperforming companies amid global downturn.

Bear

Exposure to German industrial sector experiencing headwinds from economic slowdown.

Turnaround investments are inherently risky.

Risk associated with narrow sector focus.

Analyst

Milosz Papst

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Mutares (MUX) specialises in restructuring distressed companies and expects new opportunities to arise amid the current crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. STS’s plants located in China have returned to operations and MUX’s focus in terms of current restructuring actions is in benefiting from the end of lockdown and improved economic activity. In 2019, MUX was particularly active in M&A, with 10 investments announced, including six new platforms. These resulted in significant gains on bargain purchases and a solid EPS increase. Consequently, management recommended a €1.00 dividend per share for FY19, translating into an attractive 9.3% yield. MUX’s liquidity was strengthened with the recent €50m bond issue.

Building scale limits short-term profitability

With a record number of acquisitions agreed in FY19, MUX crossed the €1bn revenue mark and it expects to achieve more than €1.5bn once all investments are consolidated for a full year. The bottom line has been supported by gains on bargain purchases (albeit non-cash) and EPS increased 43% y-o-y to €1.37. Meanwhile, the automotive sector suffered from a weak macro environment in FY19 which, coupled with a large number of portfolio assets being in a realignment phase following recent acquisitions, led to adjusted EBITDA of only €7.5m (0.7% margin). We note that y-o-y EBITDA comparability is limited due to first-time adoption of IFRS 16.

Turmoil creates opportunities

The coronavirus outbreak has weighed on financial markets, raising concerns of a lengthy economic slowdown. While the German industrial sector was already subject to slowdown, we note that MUX has exceptional experience in restructuring companies operating in unfavourable conditions. To date, it has achieved a 2.2x cash multiple on its realised investments, with proceeds regularly distributed to shareholders. Shareholders’ interests are supported by strong management ownership (40% stake).

Valuation: Trading below book value

MUX proved relatively resilient to the broader market sell-off. Its valuation is supported by the declaration of a hefty dividend for FY19 (9.3% yield) and the announcement that this level is expected to be sustained in FY20. MUX trades at 0.89x P/BV (FY19), with a FY20e P/E of 8.9x, although current consensus consists of only one estimate.

Consensus estimates*

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

PBT
(€m)

EPS
(€)

DPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/18

865.1

14.8

0.96

1.00

11.3

9.3

12/19

1,015.9

16.7

1.37

1.00

7.9

9.3

12/20e

1,950.0

26.6

1.22

1.20

8.9

11.1

12/21e

2,100.0

27.9

1.36

1.30

7.9

12.0

Source: Refinitiv, 15 April 2020. Note: *Based on the estimates of one analyst from SMC Research.

Edison Investment Research provides qualitative research coverage on companies in the Deutsche Börse Scale segment in accordance with section 36 subsection 3 of the General Terms and Conditions of Deutsche Börse AG for the Regulated Unofficial Market (Freiverkehr) on Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse (as of 1 March 2017). Two to three research reports will be produced per year. Research reports do not contain Edison analyst financial forecasts.

Financials: Earnings reflect high investment activity

Mutares operates a model based on acquiring majority interests in distressed companies and conducting exits following successful turnarounds. At the same time, it consolidates the entities in full, making its financial results characteristic of an industrial conglomerate. Newly acquired companies normally contribute negatively to overall EBITDA, while mature investments generate profits. Consequently, MUX’s exceptionally high activity in terms of new investments in FY19 translated into lower group profitability. While it reported a 69% y-o-y increase in adjusted EBITDA to €7.6m, we note that this was supported by a €19.8m positive effect from the adoption of IFRS 16 (as former operating lease expenses are now recognised as financial expense).

With ten new acquisitions (including four add-ons to existing investments) Mutares has built a scale of over €1bn in revenues (up 17% y-o-y). The reported EBITDA amounted to €79.2m (up 61% y-o-y), which was driven mostly by €102.6m income from bargain purchases (FY18: €32.3m), which Mutares recognises as a consequence of performing acquisitions at a price below the balance sheet value of net assets. At the bottom line, Mutares delivered €20.8m in net profit ex-minorities (FY18: €14.7m) which translates to €1.37 EPS (up 43% y-o-y).

Exhibit 1: FY19 financial highlights

€m unless otherwise stated

FY19

FY18*

Y-o-y (%)

Revenues

1,015.9

865.1

17%

Reduction or increase of finished goods and work in progress

(3.9)

0.1

N/M

Other operating income

119.1

107.4

11%

Cost of materials

(622.6)

(532.4)

17%

Personnel expenses

(291.8)

(244.7)

19%

Other operating expenses

(137.5)

(146.4)

-6%

EBITDA

79.2

49.1

61%

EBITDA margin

7.8%

5.7%

212 bps

o/w Income from bargain purchases

102.6

32.3

218%

o/w Restructuring and other non-recurring expenses

(31.0)

(28.6)

8%

o/w Deconsolidation effects

0.0

40.9

N/M

Adjusted EBITDA

7.5

4.5

67%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

0.7%

0.5%

23 bps

D&A

(53.0)

(29.7)

78%

Interest and similar income

1.5

0.5

200%

Interest and similar expenses

(11.0)

(5.1)

116%

Pre-tax profit

16.7

14.8

13%

Income taxes

0.0

(2.8)

N/M

Minority adjustment

(4.1)

(2.7)

52%

Group share of consolidated income

20.8

14.7

41%

Net margin

2.0%

1.7%

35 bps

EPS (€)

1.37

0.96

43%

Source: Mutares accounts. Note: *FY18 figures are not fully comparable due to IFRS 16 adoption in FY19.

Mutares ended 2019 with a net cash position of €22.2m (down from €41.7m at end-FY18), stemming from €57.5m of financial debt (FY18: €66.4m) and €79.7m held in cash (FY18: €108.1m). It is important to note that these figures are mostly attributable to the portfolio companies, while at end FY19 Mutares had c €10m of cash at holding level. Post reporting date, Mutares closed two acquisitions agreed in FY19 and announced two further deals.

MUX completed a €50m bond issue in January 2020. The proceeds will be used to support acquisitive growth of its portfolio companies. The bonds bear interest of three-month Euribor + 6%, paid quarterly, and mature in February 2024. They are listed on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Mutares plans to introduce dual listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange and, depending on market conditions, may increase the issue to €80m.

Growth driven by engineering and technology

Mutares ended 2019 with 14 portfolio companies, six of which were added to the portfolio during the year. In FY19, these delivered combined adjusted EBITDA of €13.1m before the effects of corporate consolidation. While Mutares did not perform any exits during 2019, comparable FY18 results partially reflect companies deconsolidated over the course of that year (BSL, Artmadis and Zanders). These contributed €80m to the top line and -€10.0m to adjusted EBITDA in FY18. In Exhibit 2 below we present MUX’s portfolio breakdown by investment stage. We note that the companies acquired in 2019 contributed to the consolidated results for only part of FY19. MUX’s portfolio can be categorised in three groups in terms of development stage, each significantly different in its contribution to the group’s results.

Exhibit 2: Portfolio breakdown by phase at end-FY19 (€m)

Phase

Companies

FY19 revenues

FY19 adjusted EBITDA

Realignment

BEXity, keeeper, KICO, Plati, PrimoTECS, TréfilUnion

97.6

(13.6)

Optimisation

Cenpa, Donges, Gemini Rail

330.5

1.4

Harvesting

Balcke-Dürr, Elastomer, Eupec, Klann, STS

587.7

25.3

Corporate consolidation

-

-

(5.4)

Mutares

-

1,015.9

7.5

Source: Mutares

Mutares groups its portfolio companies into three main industries: Automotive & Mobility, Engineering & Technology, and Goods & Services. The Automotive & Mobility sector remained under pressure over FY19, with global vehicle sales volumes declining in the major markets. The segment delivered €450.4m in revenues (up 3% y-o-y), but growth was mostly driven by first-time consolidation of new companies (Plati and KICO). The segment reported adjusted EBITDA of €15.6m, down 11% y-o-y) and lower 63% y-o-y when adjusted for the impact of IFRS 16. STS delivered 81% of the segment’s revenues and its €17.6m adjusted EBITDA partially offset the losses of early-stage investments. The coronavirus outbreak has led STS to expect a further deterioration in results in 2020. In late 2019, Mutares announced the acquisition of PrimoTECS, which was closed in January. The company operates in Northern Italy as a supplier to the mobility industry, with sales of c €120m pa. It was acquired for €1 (which is a common practice by Mutares for platform investments). The profit on a bargain purchase will be recognised in FY20.

The Engineering & Technology segment became MUX’s largest exposure in terms of revenues in FY19, posting 61% y-o-y growth to €482.0m. This was assisted by two new investments through the execution of the buy-and-build strategy. For a detailed description of earlier investments in FY19, see our previous notes. Nevertheless, the segment posted an improvement in adjusted EBITDA (€4.7m profit vs €1.0m loss in FY18). However, after adjusting for the IFRS 16 impact, we arrive at a comparable EBITDA loss of €4.4m. Management states that while the optimisation phase of Donges Group is proceeding according to plan, its adjusted EBITDA in FY19 was still negative due to new add-ons. Donges Group is exposed to the construction market, which is not yet affected by the broader slowdown, as highlighted by the recently won €25m contract. In 2020, Balcke-Dürr announced the acquisition of Loterios for €1. Loterios designs and manufactures pressure equipment for a variety of industries. It is based in Italy and posted sales of €17m in FY19.

The Goods & Services segment comprises five platform investments, three of which (keeeper, TréfilUnion and BEXity) were acquired in 2019. This led to 71% growth in FY19 revenues to €83.5m and significant income on bargain purchases. The adjusted EBITDA figure reduced to a €7.3m loss, as new companies are still in the realignment phase. While the segment comprises companies with a variety of products and strategies, we note that these are closely related to MUX’s core competencies in the broader industrials sector. The household plastic products manufacturer keeeper has already performed its first add-on acquisition of the napkin business from Metsä Tissue Corporation for €3, which was closed in February 2020. Mutares highlighted that following the coronavirus outbreak, it managed to switch Metsä’s production line to toilet paper to meet increased demand amid social distress. This unexpected advance has driven keeeper’s realignment ahead of schedule. BEXity offers transport logistics and warehousing services in Austria. The acquisition was only finalised in December 2019 and resulted in a €28.3m gain on bargain purchase. Mutares started its restructuring plan, but the process has been hampered by a rapid decline in demand. In FY19, the company posted revenues of €213m. The acquisition of Nexive was announced in 2020 and is expected to close in Q2/Q320. The company is the second largest mail and parcel provider in Italy with c €230m in annual revenues. It will be purchased from PostNL, which retains 20% ownership. Mutares has agreed to cover up to €5m obligations arising from the purchase agreement.

Exhibit 2: Segment details

 

Revenues (€m)

Adjusted EBITDA (€m)

Adjusted EBITDA (€m) excl IFRS 16

Segment

FY19

FY18

y-o-y

FY19

FY18

y-o-y

FY19

FY18

y-o-y

Automotive & Mobility

450.4

437.0

3%

15.6

17.5

(11%)

6.4

17.5

(63%)

Engineering & Technology

482.0

298.6

61%

4.7

(1.0)

N/M

(4.4)

(1.0)

N/M

Goods & Services

83.5

48.7

71%

(7.3)

3.3

N/M

(8.8)

3.3

N/M

Corporate consolidation

0.0

0.0

-

(5.4)

(6.5)

(17%)

(5.4)

(6.5)

N/M

Current portfolio

1,015.9

784.2

30%

7.6

14.5

(43%)

(12.2)

14.5

N/M

Deconsolidated investments

-

80.9

N/A

-

(10.0)

N/A

-

(10.0)

N/A

Mutares

1,015.9

865.1

17%

7.6

4.5

69%

(12.2)

4.5

N/M

Source: Mutares accounts.

FY20 outlook

In 2020, Mutares expects to remain active in new investments, especially in the second half of the year. While some portfolio companies experience liquidity crunches to various extents, the holding-level net cash position was strengthened by the recent bond placement. Management highlights that it is applying for public support where possible. While the length of the lockdown and its impact on the economy is unclear, management remains optimistic about the 2020 results, encouraged by the fact that its Chinese plants have already returned to full capacity. Given the FY19 investments, management expects FY20 revenues to grow to over €1.5bn at group level.

The company recommends paying a DPS of €1.0 from FY19 profits (in line with last year), subject to approval at the AGM scheduled for 18 May 2020. At present, management expects MUX to pay a €1.0 DPS from FY20 profits as well. While distributing a dividend ahead of expected investment opportunities may seem surprising, management highlights that it targets distressed companies acquired for a negligible price. It expects some exits in 2020.

Valuation: 5.6x money multiple on existing portfolio

Mutares stopped calculating the NAV of its portfolio holdings from FY19, with shareholder returns being its main performance indicator. Having said that, we have analysed MUX’s book value per share (BVPS) total return (TR) and P/BV multiple. MUX normally acquires companies for a price visibly below book value. Its current portfolio consists largely of new (loss-making) holdings and it trades at a P/BV below 1.0x (currently 0.89x). Mutares posted a BVPS TR of 11% in FY19 and a four-year TR of 22% pa (based on our estimates).

Mutares unlocks cash from its investments on successful complete exit, as well as dividends, consulting fees and partial exits throughout the holding period. At the same time, it supports its portfolio companies financially during the restructuring process. For the previous 20 exited investments, Mutares realised an average cash multiple of 2.2x, which includes insolvent businesses. For current portfolio holdings held longer than 12 months (as at end-September 2019), Mutares has so far realised a 5.6x cash return on invested capital. However, we note that Mutares deconsolidated two insolvent companies in FY18, which are not reflected in the current multiple. The current portfolio companies are still generating cash flow for Mutares, as illustrated by the recently announced sale of the profitable Polish subsidiary of Balcke-Dürr.

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Germany

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United Kingdom

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United States of America

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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

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