Sureserve Group — Starting to build a track record of delivery

Sureserve Group (LN: SUR)

Last close As at 27/03/2024

GBP0.92

0.50 (0.55%)

Market capitalisation

GBP148m

More on this equity

Research: Industrials

Sureserve Group — Starting to build a track record of delivery

Sureserve continues to demonstrate it has a de-risked business and the ability to deliver growth and cash generation from its two core divisions. The recent announcements affirming end FY19 net-debt of £7.6m, FY19 earnings guidance to meet expectations and the pay down of the revolving credit facility all provide comfort that the more focused group is performing well. Our previous earnings were marginally below consensus and we are raising FY19 and FY20 PBT estimates from £7.7m and £8.3m to £8.1m and £8.6m, respectively. The valuation at 7.2x current year earnings suggests the market still has to reprice the lower risk to earnings and start to differentiate the attractive gas compliance and energy services operations from the more out of favour construction services sector.

Written by

Neil Shah

Industrials

Sureserve Group

Starting to build a track record of delivery

Trading update

Industrial support services

13 November 2019

Price

30p

Market cap

£47m

Net debt (£m) as at 30 September 2019

7.6

Shares in issue

158.9m

Free float

95%

Code

SUR

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

5.4

1.7

(13.2)

Rel (local)

3.6

(1.1)

(17.3)

52-week high/low

33p

20p

Business description

Sureserve Group is engaged in the asset and energy support services business, focused on customers in the outsourced public and regulated services sectors in the UK. It comprises two divisions: compliance and energy services.

Next events

FY19 results

January 2020

Analysts

Neil Shah

+44 (0)20 3077 5715

Stephen Rawlinson

+44 (0) 20 3077 5700

Sureserve Group is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited. Edison does not issue recommendations or target prices

Sureserve continues to demonstrate it has a de-risked business and the ability to deliver growth and cash generation from its two core divisions. The recent announcements affirming end FY19 net-debt of £7.6m, FY19 earnings guidance to meet expectations and the pay down of the revolving credit facility all provide comfort that the more focused group is performing well. Our previous earnings were marginally below consensus and we are raising FY19 and FY20 PBT estimates from £7.7m and £8.3m to £8.1m and £8.6m, respectively. The valuation at 7.2x current year earnings suggests the market still has to reprice the lower risk to earnings and start to differentiate the attractive gas compliance and energy services operations from the more out of favour construction services sector.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

09/17

181.5

5.4

2.8

0.50

10.8

1.7

09/18

190.8

6.6

3.4

0.25

8.9

0.8

09/19e

205.2

8.1

4.2

0.25

7.2

0.8

09/20e

215.6

8.6

4.4

0.25

6.8

0.8

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles and exceptional items

Trading update highlights improving cash generation

The year-end trading update confirmed the business was in line with expectations in the year ending 30 September. Net debt at the year-end was £7.6m, which is in line with the £7.4m we had forecast. £4.0m of the revolving credit facility (RCF) has been repaid and currently around £10.0m is used for trading. Net debt was £12.9m at end March 2019 and £14.2m a year earlier, reflecting the improving cash generation of the more simplified business. Around £0.9m was received post year end from the buyer of Orchard Energy Services, a non-core energy consulting operation sold in late 2017.

Attractive core positions in regulated markets

Sureserve’s two mainstream operations are in attractive areas and performing well with good recent track records of winning work. Compliance activities are currently mainly in gas services to the social housing sector, driven mainly by legislation. The increasingly national coverage allows the business economies of scale and it can benchmark across its regions, which improves efficiency. Energy services has a similar customer base as compliance and its activities are underpinned by long-term contracts with the Scottish and Welsh governments (Warmworks and Arbed). The order book was £350m at end March 2019, equal to over 18 months’ revenue and it is growing.

Valuation: Sum of the parts suggests a 45p valuation

Our sum of the parts valuation suggests an EV of c £79m compared to the current c £55m, which would imply a 45p share price. The sum of the parts also highlights the drag central costs have on the value of the group and should be a focus for management and shareholders alike.

Valuation: Using a sum of the parts to examine value

Background: Valuation contrasting with business performance

Since our initiation (August 2018), the share price of Sureserve has slid from 42p to 29p. This is in contrast to the actions taken and performance delivered by the group. In particular, we would highlight:

The successful divestment of Lakehouse Contracts and Foster Property Maintenance to streamline the group’s activities into compliance and energy services.

A good set of interim results, which were notable for the absence of any exceptional items (the financials are reflecting the more simple nature of the group’s structure) or any negative surprises (reflecting the lower-risk nature of the remaining divisions).

An encouraging trading update re-affirming the market’s FY19 earnings expectations and also highlighting good cash generation in the year resulting in net debt falling from £11.4m at FY18 year end to £7.6m at FY19 year end.

Factors potentially holding back the share price could be argued as:

The negative sector sentiment following the collapse of Carillion.

The perceived risk around parental company guarantees and bonds related to the divested businesses. The company has provided for this and to date there have been no claims.

The loss of COO Michael McMahon, who announced his intention to leave the group for personal reasons. In the interim Bob Holt has moved back into an executive role and the appointment of Peter Smith as CFO has strengthened management resources.

Low liquidity and sub £50m market capitalisation, which has meant that Sureserve is potentially below many institutional investors’ radar.

If the group keeps delivering on performance, which we expect it will do given the lower-risk nature of the group, we believe the valuation multiples are likely to trend towards the peer group average. Sureserve is still in the ‘show me’ stage and we would expect it to start to get traction with investors post the full year results being delivered.

Establishing the peer group: Review of activity and competitors

The group has two principal divisions: compliance (c 60% of group revenues) and energy services (c 40%).

The compliance business provides planned response and maintenance for over 500,000 homes, mainly to local authorities but also to some industrial and commercial owners, allowing these owners to meet their safety obligations. 75% of the divisional revenues are in gas compliance, but the group also provides fire, water, electrical and lift safety. The principal competitors or peers are:

British Gas (part of Centrica), the largest player in the gas compliance market. British Gas looks after over four million residential boilers in the UK via its Homecare unit and 250,000 social housing properties via its PH Jones unit.

Mears Group, which acquired the assets and contracts of MPS Housing from Mitie in late 2018. This area of activity sits in Mears’ Housing division, of which maintenance was 77% of revenues. As well as gas compliance, the division provides reactive and planned repairs, energy services and gas installation, primarily to local authorities and government.

Marlowe, which has executed a buy and build strategy in the B2B segment of risk and compliance, primarily to the commercial sector. Marlowe tests, inspects and certifies commercial property to ensure it is compliant with regulatory requirements. At year end March 2019, the risk and compliance division reported revenues of c £67m, which was 52% of group revenues.

Bilby, which provides gas, electrical and building services to 300,000 local authority and housing association in London and the South East. Bilby warned on profits in March 2019, a result of two adverse contracts in its P&R division. A new CEO has been appointed and is focused on turning the business around.

Premier Technical Services (PTSG), which provides regulated and safety related building services nationally and activities include façade and roof access, electrical and fire safety. In June 2019, PTSG was acquired by Macquarie after a £265m (210p per share) recommended offer was accepted. Our forecasts for PTSG prior to the bid being announced was for 2018 EPS of 11.8p and 2019 EPS of 13.5p. The bid therefore valued PTSG at 17.8x 2018 earnings and 15.6x 2019 earnings. On an EV/EBITDA basis, the bid valued PTSG at 15.9x 2018 EBITDA and 11.7x 2019e EBITDA.

Looking at the peer group, we focus on companies that have a B2B focus, where demand is underpinned by regulatory compliance and there are patterns of strong recurring revenues and where the division is a meaningful part of overall group revenues. As such we would use all of these other than British Gas, which is more consumer focused and part of a much larger group. We also have excluded Bilby as there are no consensus estimates available.

Exhibit 1: Peer group valuations show significant range, reflecting track record, margins and growth

Company

Market cap
(£m)

Share price
(p)

FY1 P/E
(x)

FY2 P/E
(x)

FY1 EV/EBITDA
(x)

FY2 EV/EBITDA
(x)

Sureserve

46.9

30

7.2

6.8

5.3

5.1

Marlowe

203.2

443

20.0

17.0

14.4

12.4

Mears

276.2

241

8.5

7.4

5.4

4.9

Source: Edison Investment Research, Eikon. Note: Prices as at 12 November 2019.

Sureserve’s energy services division has an overall aim of reducing customers’ fuel usage and costs, but is made up of two very different businesses. Everwarm upgrades insulation for social housing predominantly, while Providor is a smart meter installer. The valuation challenge for this division is that there are no obvious UK quoted peers.

Everwarm’s principal competitors are private companies. The Warmworks framework contract had 30 named energy efficient contractors by way of example. Providor’s closest quoted peer Smart Metering System operates further up the value chain, owning and managing smart meter assets. Providor looks to compete on the installation side with meter installers such as Nexus, Fulcrum, Actavo, M Group Services (Morrison Data Services), Orion, Ganymede, Lowri Beck and Amey. It is however the only national installer, which positions it well.

We therefore look at deal multiples for the energy services business. BDO’s Mergers & Acquisitions team publish an annual Building Products and Services insights book. The 2019 book highlights the UK and the US as the most active markets for deals (29% and 35% of global transactions, respectively) and notes the growing participation of financial buyers that are attracted to fragmented and highly regulated industries. The average EV/EBITDA for the roof, cladding and insulation market was 6.3x between 2012 and 2018, which in the absence of any quoted peers for Sureserve’s energy business looks to be a reasonable proxy. It should be noted that the multiples paid have been increasing each year, so the average looks to be conservative.

Sum of the parts valuation

Given the lack of direct peers for the group, we look at a sum of the parts valuation to examine the potential value of each division and the impact of central costs. Key inputs we have used in constructing this valuation are as follows:

The group reports adjusted EBITA by division. For compliance we have an EBITA estimate of £7.5m for 2019e and for energy services we have an estimate of £4.2m.

We have apportioned depreciation and amortisation that is not reported at a divisional basis to the two divisions. For 2019e there is £1.4m of depreciation and amortisation that is not allocated to the two divisions. £850k is allocated to the compliance division, the balance to the energy services division. Divisional EBITDA is therefore £8.35m for compliance and £4.75m for energy services.

For the compliance division, we use a simple average of the FY1 EV/EBITDA multiple for Mears and Marlowe of 9.9x to value the division. As a sense check we have the PTSG takeout multiple of 11.7x 2019e EBITDA.

For the Energy Services division, we apply the 6.3x EV/EBITDA multiple we referred to earlier from BDO.

We estimate 2019e central costs at £2.7m. Without allocating these to the divisional valuations we would be overvaluing the group. There are a range of approaches to do this; we have opted to take the calculated EV of the two divisions (£112.6m), calculate the multiple this gives on 2019 EBITA and apply this to establish a value in perpetuity for central costs. This applies a 12.5x multiple to central costs.

Exhibit 2: Sum of the parts valuation

  

£m

2019e EBITDA (£m)

EV/EBITDA (x)

EV (£m)

Compliance

 

 

8.4

9.9

82.7

Energy Services

 

4.8

6.3

29.9

Total

 

 

 

 

112.6

Central costs

 

2.7

 

12.5

33.8

2019e EBITA

 

9.0

 

 

 

Central costs/2019e EBIT

30%

 

Calculated enterprise value

 

 

 

78.8

Current enterprise value

 

 

 

54.5

% discount to calculated value

 

 

31%

Source: Edison Investment Research, Refinitiv

This highlights three things. First, it firms up our view that the group is currently attractively priced based on the recent trading announcements, the sum of the parts valuation suggesting that 45p/share would be closer to fair value. Second, it highlights the significant drag central costs have on group valuation and this should be a focus for management, either by growing the EBITA to central cost ratio (organically or via acquisitions) or keeping costs under control. Third, it highlights the potential attraction for trade and financial buyers who felt they could eliminate a significant part of the central costs, particularly given the trends highlighted in the BDO Insights paper of regulated and fragmented industries being of growing interest to financial buyers.

Exhibit 3: Financial summary

 

£m

 

2017

2018

2019e

2020e

Year end 30 September

 

 

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

INCOME STATEMENT

Revenue

 

 

181.5

190.8

205.2

215.6

Cost of Sales

(154.5)

(163.4)

(176.9)

(186.9)

Gross Profit

27.0

27.4

28.3

28.7

EBITDA

 

 

9.0

9.2

10.4

10.7

Operating Profit (before acquisition amort. and except).

7.4

8.0

9.0

9.4

Exceptionals and amortisation of acquired intangibles

(11.0)

(4.6)

(2.8)

(2.2)

Share-based payments

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Reported operating profit

(3.6)

3.4

6.2

7.2

Net Interest

(2.0)

(1.5)

(0.9)

(0.7)

Joint ventures & associates (post tax)

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Exceptionals

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

5.4

6.6

8.1

8.6

Profit Before Tax (reported)

 

 

(5.6)

1.6

5.0

6.1

Reported tax

0.9

(0.8)

(1.5)

(1.6)

Profit After Tax (norm)

6.4

5.8

6.6

7.0

Profit After Tax (reported)

(4.6)

0.8

3.4

4.5

Minority interests

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Discontinued operations

4.6

(11.5)

0.0

0.0

Net income (normalised)

6.4

5.8

6.6

7.0

Net income (reported)

0.0

(10.7)

3.4

4.5

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

157.5

157.5

158.0

158.9

EPS (p)

 

 

2.7

3.2

4.2

4.4

EPS - normalised (p)

 

 

2.8

3.4

4.2

4.4

EPS - basic reported (p)

 

 

0.0

(6.6)

2.4

3.0

Dividend per share (p)

0.50

0.25

0.25

0.25

Revenue growth (%)

(44.5)

5.1

7.6

5.0

Gross Margin (%)

14.9

14.3

13.8

13.3

EBITDA Margin (%)

5.0

4.8

5.1

4.9

Normalised Operating Margin

4.1

4.2

4.4

4.3

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

57.0

50.2

47.0

44.5

Intangible Assets

51.4

47.9

44.7

42.2

Tangible Assets

1.9

1.5

1.5

1.5

Investments & other

3.7

0.9

0.9

0.9

Current Assets

 

 

96.6

49.3

51.8

56.1

Stocks

4.5

4.2

4.5

4.8

Debtors

65.4

42.6

45.9

48.3

Cash & cash equivalents

26.1

1.7

1.4

3.0

Other

0.6

0.8

0.0

0.0

Current Liabilities

 

 

(72.0)

(57.4)

(54.1)

(56.3)

Creditors

(71.0)

(39.3)

(40.1)

(42.2)

Tax and social security

0.0

0.0

(0.3)

(0.3)

Short term borrowings

(0.2)

(13.0)

(8.9)

(8.9)

Other

(0.9)

(5.1)

(4.8)

(4.8)

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(31.3)

(3.0)

(2.9)

(2.9)

Long term borrowings

(27.2)

(0.1)

0.0

0.0

Other long term liabilities

(4.1)

(2.9)

(2.9)

(2.9)

Net Assets

 

 

50.2

39.1

41.8

41.4

Minority interests

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Shareholders' equity

 

 

50.2

39.1

41.8

41.4

CASH FLOW

Op Cash Flow before WC and tax

9.0

8.9

10.4

10.6

Working capital

5.7

(6.4)

(4.3)

(4.8)

Exceptional & other

(1.3)

(8.2)

0.3

0.0

Tax

0.7

(0.2)

(1.5)

(1.6)

Net operating cash flow

 

 

14.0

(5.8)

4.8

4.2

Capex

(0.9)

(0.4)

(1.0)

(1.1)

Acquisitions/disposals

9.1

(1.7)

0.3

0.0

Net interest

(1.4)

(1.1)

(1.1)

(1.1)

Equity financing

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Dividends

(0.8)

(0.8)

(0.4)

(0.4)

Other

(0.3)

(0.0)

(0.3)

(0.0)

Net Cash Flow

19.8

(9.8)

2.3

1.8

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

21.0

1.3

11.4

7.6

FX

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other non-cash movements

0.0

(0.3)

1.5

(0.1)

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

1.3

11.4

7.6

5.9

Source: Sureserve Group accounts, Edison Investment Research

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Sureserve Group and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Sureserve 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 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “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.

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

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

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

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

More on Sureserve Group

View All

Latest from the Industrials sector

View All Industrials content

Industrials

ACWA Power — Record results for FY23

Industrials

Dowlais Group — Motoring forward

Research: Consumer

Gamesys Group — Growth across the enlarged group

Gamesys’ pro forma Q319 revenues increased by 20% to £144.3m due to 57% growth in Vera&John (international markets), strong momentum in the acquired Gamesys business and, encouragingly, a return to growth in the Jackpotjoy UK brand. The EBITDA margin declined 680bp to 26.7% as a result of higher taxes and marketing spend. We are raising our FY19 revenues estimate by 2.3% but keeping our EBITDA forecasts unchanged. We continue to forecast net cash flow of £105m in FY20 and our net debt/EBITDA falls from 3.0x currently to 2.0x at end FY20. The stock trades at 6.0x P/E and 7.1x EV/EBITDA, with a 13.8% FCF yield for FY20e.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

Get access to the very latest content matched to your personal investment style.

Sign up for free