Expedeon — Organic growth boosted by acquisitions

Expedeon — Organic growth boosted by acquisitions

Expedeon (formerly Sygnis) is a rapidly growing life science reagents business: H1 sales grew 89% to €5.6m. Growth was boosted by several recent acquisitions. It operates across Europe, the US and Australia largely selling consumable laboratory products. Expedeon also aims to build group sales by better promotion and distribution. Financially, the business is gaining strength with an H118 €23k positive EBITDA, although depreciation gave an overall EBT H1 loss of €1.1m, reduced from a €2.2m loss in H117. Operating H1 cash flow improved from €1.6m to €0.7m.

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Written by

Expedeon

Healthcare equipment and supplies

Price

€0.99

Market cap

€51m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

EXN:GR

Shares in issue

51.3m

Net debt (€m) as at 30 June 2018

9.7

Business description

Expedeon aims to become a market leader in molecular biology through its grow, buy and build strategy. It operates across Europe and in the US and Australia.

Bull

Can make small acquisitions globally using mix of cash, shares and earn outs.

Able to quickly develop and sell innovative new products as science evolves.

Positive EBITDA with about 25% organic revenue growth.

Bear

Market dominated by very large competitors.

Small niche markets limit growth and need constant innovation.

Multiple sites with different specialities across widespread countries limit cost control potential.

Analyst

Dr John Savin

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Organic growth boosted by acquisitions

Expedeon (formerly Sygnis) is a rapidly growing life science reagents business: H1 sales grew 89% to €5.6m. Growth was boosted by several recent acquisitions. It operates across Europe, the US and Australia largely selling consumable laboratory products. Expedeon also aims to build group sales by better promotion and distribution. Financially, the business is gaining strength with an H118 €23k positive EBITDA, although depreciation gave an overall EBT H1 loss of €1.1m, reduced from a €2.2m loss in H117. Operating H1 cash flow improved from €1.6m to €0.7m.

Acquisitions drive headline growth

The company changed name from Sygnis to Expedeon in August 2018. In mid-2016, Sygnis, a Germany-listed, Madrid-based genomic enzyme company acquired Expedeon, a larger UK proteomics business. In mid-2017, Innova (a UK supplier of antibody and protein labelling products) was acquired for €11.5m. CBS Scientific (US) with $1.5m of instrument sales was acquired for $0.9m in Dec 2017. In May 2018, TGR, a profitable Australian protein capture company with €3.6m of sales was acquired for €10.4m. Most deals involve cash, shares and loans. Risk is controlled by partly funding acquisitions with deferred contingent share payments.

Underlying organic growth

Company guidance for 2018 is of €13–14m sales. We expect EBITDA to rise in H2 and 2019 as the full benefit of the TGR acquisition is gained. Like-for-like sales growth over 2017 was 19% (annual report). The laboratory consumables and equipment market is dominated by large companies, both sophisticated instrument suppliers and large online catalogue companies. However, the market is driven by innovations, like Expedeon’s 2view range (launched in May 2018), so nimble innovative business like Expedeon can continue to grow strongly in niches.

Valuation: Growth expectations

The market cap of c €50m reflects market growth expectations of further strong growth as it is c 4x guided 2018 sales and an H1 EBITDA multiple of 1,000-fold. The company had €1m cash and €10.7m debt in June 2018. Expedeon, with its high organic growth rate, can probably continue to acquire more, smaller, specialist life science consumable producers. As a growth business, Expedeon may need more cash as working capital to fund growth and make acquisitions.

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

PBT
(€m)

EPS
(c)

DPS
(c)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/16

1.79

(4.01)

(0.2)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/17

7.80

(4.73)

(0.8)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/18e

13.4

(0.87)

(0.02)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/19e

18.1

0.75

0.01

0.0

N/A

N/A

Source: Company reports, Bloomberg estimates

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Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

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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

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 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 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") (c) FTSE [2014]. "FTSE(r)" 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

Encavis — Profits set for continuing growth

Encavis has established a strong track record, and consensus forecasts indicate the potential for further growth in FY18 and beyond. The macro environment for renewable energy remains favourable and Encavis is well placed, geographically and technologically, to exploit this trend.

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