Filtronic — Third consecutive year of EBITDA growth

Filtronic (AIM: FTC)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

GBP0.37

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Market capitalisation

GBP81m

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Research: TMT

Filtronic — Third consecutive year of EBITDA growth

Filtronic’s FY22 results show revenues growing by 10% while adjusted EBITDA jumped by 58% despite the challenges posed by global supply chain shortages. Our estimates look for continued revenue growth in FY23 as the group executes on its strategy of expanding into adjacent markets where its specialist radio frequency (RF) skills command a premium.

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TMT

Filtronic

Third consecutive year of EBITDA growth

FY22 results

Tech hardware and equipment

2 August 2022

Price

14.64p

Market cap

£31m

Net cash (£m) at end May 2022 (excluding right of property leases)

3.1

Shares in issue

214.8m

Free float

66.1%

Code

FTC

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

26.0

33.0

34.6

Rel (local)

21.0

35.8

33.3

52-week high/low

16.8p

9.0p

Business description

Filtronic is a designer and manufacturer of advanced RF communications products supplying a number of market sectors including mobile telecommunications infrastructure, public safety, defence and aerospace.

Next event

AGM

27 October 2022

Analysts

Anne Margaret Crow

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5729

Filtronic is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Filtronic’s FY22 results show revenues growing by 10% while adjusted EBITDA jumped by 58% despite the challenges posed by global supply chain shortages. Our estimates look for continued revenue growth in FY23 as the group executes on its strategy of expanding into adjacent markets where its specialist radio frequency (RF) skills command a premium.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

EBITDA*
(£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

05/20

17.2

1.2

0.1

0.05

0.00

292.8

05/21

15.6

1.8

0.1

0.14

0.00

104.6

05/22

17.1

2.8

1.5

0.54

0.00

27.1

05/23e

19.0

2.1

0.9

0.42

0.00

34.9

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

Product mix boosts FY22 profits

As flagged in the post-close trading update, group sales rose by 10% year-on-year during FY22 to £17.1m. The recovery noted in the US public safety market during Q421 as COVID-19-related restrictions started to ease was sustained throughout the year, but supply chain issues prevented Filtronic from fulfilling demand for 5G transceivers during H122. While this was resolved in Q222, the US public safety customer was itself affected by supply chain issues in H222. A higher proportion of sales to the critical communications and defence markets benefited gross margin, resulting in adjusted EBITDA climbing by 58% year-on-year to £2.8m.

Investing for further growth in FY24 and FY25

We leave our FY23 estimates, which are underpinned by a growing orderbook for 5G XHaul transceivers, unchanged. Since gross margins are likely to be lower year-on-year in FY23 because of the higher proportion of Xhaul transceivers, which are price-sensitive, and overheads are likely to be higher because of continued investment in engineering personnel, we model a year-on-year drop in EBITDA (though a substantial increase compared with FY21) even though revenue growth is modelled at 11.5%. Management intends that this investment will result in stronger revenue and profit growth during FY24 and FY25 as the group diversifies into adjacent markets, such as private low-latency links and broadband communications networks based on networks of multiple high altitude pseudo satellites (HAPS) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

Valuation: Uplift for successful diversification

Our DCF analysis shows that if management’s diversification strategy delivers double-digit year-on-year revenue growth through to FY27, while holding year-on-year growth in indirect costs at 5.0% or less from FY24 onwards, further uplift in Filtronic’s share price can be justified. Announcements of further contract awards, such as the recent orders from a 5G test equipment company and a quantum computing company, will indicate how successful management is being in winning additional work outside its three core areas, which is key to achieving this growth.

FY22 financial performance

Supply chain issues still present challenges

As flagged in the post-close trading update, group sales rose by 10% year-on-year during FY22 to £17.1m. The recovery noted in the US public safety market during Q421, when COVID-19-related restrictions started to ease, was sustained throughout the year, as public funds were redirected back into public infrastructure projects. However, Filtronic’s customer was adversely affected by supply chain issues during H222, which restricted its ability to build complete solutions, resulting in some orderbook rescheduling. Nevertheless, segmental sales grew by 23% year-on-year. Sales to the lead customer in the defence and aerospace market were steady. In addition, segmental sales benefited from deliveries of production units of battlefield radio communications hardware and several small development contracts from a large UK defence prime for the group’s specialist filter technology. As a result, segmental sales grew by 27% year-on-year. Sales of transceivers for 5G XHaul links to the lead customer were held back during Q122 by supply chain shortages, which prevented Filtronic from meeting the customer’s original requirements in full. Although the issue was resolved during Q222, supporting a return to pre-pandemic levels of sales that was maintained throughout H222, segmental sales fell by 12% year-on-year.

EBITDA benefits from product mix

Adjusted EBITDA jumped by 58% year-on-year to £2.8m. Operating costs were at similar levels to FY21. Salary-related costs increased slightly as although prior year investments in automation meant that fewer manufacturing personnel were required, the company recruited additional engineers to help support an enlarged customer base. The increase in salary-related costs were partly offset by a reduction in travel costs in the first part of the year, which were linked to coronavirus related restrictions. Cost of sales and revenues were unusually low during the year (33.1% in FY22 vs 35.1% in FY21 and 47.0% in FY20) because the lower sales of 5G transceivers resulted in a higher than usual proportion of sales to the critical communications and defence markets. Gross margins in these markets are higher than average because certain components are free issued by the customer. Finance costs were artificially high in FY21 because of the revaluation of an inter-company loan. The reported FY22 pre-tax result of £1.9m benefited from the release of a £0.4m provision related to the antennae business, which was sold in January 2020.

Strong net cash position supports future growth

Net cash (net of all lease obligations except right-of-use property leases) increased from £1.9m at end FY21 to £3.1m at end FY22. Cash generated from operations was £2.3m after absorbing a £0.8m increase in working capital caused by a strong finish to Q422. As in FY21, investment in capital equipment was minimal (£0.1m) because the investment in the Sedgefield site completed in FY20. There were no capitalised development costs (£0.1m in FY21) as the bulk of development undertaken was paid for by customers, with the rest expensed. The strong balance sheet gives Filtronic a good base from which to continue investing in additional engineering resource and business development activities during FY23.

Outlook

Our FY23 estimates, which were not changed in our June or July updates and remain unchanged, make the following assumptions:

Revenues: we assume that sales to the US public safety market will remain at FY22 levels and that 5G XHaul deliveries will remain at the higher level reached at the end of H122. In addition, we assume that the c £0.7m revenues attributable to the contract announced in June 2022 for 5G test equipment, the £0.5m revenues attributable to the contract announced in July 2022 from a UK defence customer for the design, manufacture and delivery of a modular, programmable reference system for testing RF equipment and £0.4m revenues attributable to a contract for switched filter bank products will all be received during the year.

Cost of materials/sales: we model an increase from 33.1% in FY22 to 40.9% in FY23 to reflect the higher proportion of 5G XHaul sales.

Other costs: we model a further year-on-year increase in staffing costs during FY23 to reflect continued investment in engineering resource to accelerate the development of W-band links. This investment will hold back improvements in EBITDA margin in the short term (11.0% in FY23), as well as PBT and EPS growth, but management intends that it will result in stronger revenue and profit growth during FY24 and FY25.

Investment activity: we model £0.5m in investment in capital equipment. We also model £0.5m of capitalised R&D costs as resource should be redeployed on the development of W-band technology now that the development phases of both the battlefield communications and 5G test equipment projects have been completed.

Given the uncertainty created by continuing supply chain challenges, we are not introducing FY24 estimates yet and aim to do so when the H123 results are announced. Exhibit 1 presents a scenario analysis for FY24 EBITDA, which explores the impact of delivering double-digit revenue growth with only single-digit increases in indirect costs.

Valuation

Exhibit 1: DCF analysis

FY24e EBITDA (£m)

Year-on-year sales growth FY24–27e

9.0%

10.0%

11.0%

12.0%

13.0%

Indirect cost growth

3.0%

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

3.5%

2.3

2.4

2.6

2.7

2.8

4.0%

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

4.5%

2.2

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

5.0%

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Indicative value (p/share)

Year-on-year sales growth FY24–27e

9.0%

10.0%

11.0%

12.0%

13.0%

Indirect cost growth

3.0%

15.7

17.2

18.6

20.1

21.6

3.5%

15.1

16.6

18.0

19.5

21.0

4.0%

14.5

15.9

17.4

18.9

20.4

4.5%

13.9

15.3

16.8

18.3

19.8

5.0%

13.2

14.7

16.1

17.6

19.1

Source: Edison Investment Research

As discussed in our July note, given the volatility in EBITDA margin and lack of direct peers, we prefer a discounted cash flow (DCF) approach for valuing Filtonic. This models the impact on EBITDA and indicative valuation if Filtronic is able to deliver sustained double-digit revenue growth (9.0% to 13.0% year-on-year between FY24 and FY27) without adding significantly to indirect costs after FY23 (3.0% to 5.0% year-on-year between FY24 and FY27). The calculation uses a WACC of 10.0% and a terminal growth rate of 3.0%. Costs of sales and revenues is modelled at 43.1%, reflecting a higher percentage of 5G Xhaul revenues than FY21, FY22 or FY23. Investment in intangible assets is maintained at FY23 levels but investment in tangible assets is reduced to £0.2.m each year, which is similar to FY22 levels.

The analysis shows that if management’s diversification strategy delivers double-digit year-on-year from FY24 through to FY27, while holding year-on-year growth in indirect costs at 5.0% or less from FY24 onwards, further uplift in the share price should be justified. For example, Exhibit 1 shows that if Filtronic can deliver 12% revenue growth each year between FY24 and FY27, coupled with only 4% year-on-year cost growth over the same period, our DCF would produce an indicative value per share of 18.9p, 29% higher than the current level.

Exhibit 2: Financial summary

Year end 31 May

£m

2020

2021

2022

2023e

INCOME STATEMENT

Revenue

 

 

17.2

15.6

17.1

19.0

EBITDA

 

 

1.2

1.8

2.8

2.1

Operating profit (before amort. and excepts.)

 

0.4

0.6

1.6

1.1

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Exceptionals

(0.6)

0.1

0.4

0.0

Reported operating profit

(0.2)

0.6

2.0

1.1

Net Interest

(0.2)

(0.4)

(0.1)

(0.2)

Exceptionals

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

0.1

0.1

1.5

0.9

Profit Before Tax (reported)

 

 

(0.4)

0.2

1.9

0.9

Reported tax

(0.1)

(0.2)

(0.4)

0.2

Profit After Tax (norm)

0.1

0.3

1.2

0.9

Profit After Tax (reported)

(0.5)

0.1

1.5

1.1

Discontinued operations

(1.4)

0.0

0.0

0.0

Net income (normalised)

0.1

0.3

1.2

0.9

Net income (reported)

(2.0)

0.1

1.5

1.1

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

211

213

215

215

EPS - normalised (p)

 

 

0.05

0.14

0.54

0.42

EPS - diluted normalised (p)

 

 

0.05

0.14

0.53

0.42

EPS - basic reported (p)

 

 

(0.25)

0.03

0.68

0.51

Dividend (p)

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Revenue growth (%)

7.8

-9.5

9.6

11.5

EBITDA Margin (%)

6.8

11.4

16.5

11.0

Normalised Operating Margin

2.2

3.7

9.3

5.6

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

7.5

6.2

5.4

5.1

Intangible Assets

1.8

1.7

1.5

1.7

Tangible Assets

3.8

3.3

3.0

2.7

Investments & other

1.9

1.2

0.9

0.7

Current Assets

 

 

9.8

8.4

11.1

11.0

Stocks

2.9

2.2

2.6

2.9

Debtors

4.8

3.3

4.5

3.5

Cash & cash equivalents

2.0

2.9

4.0

4.7

Other

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Current Liabilities

 

 

(6.0)

(3.6)

(4.0)

(2.8)

Creditors

(3.5)

(2.4)

(3.0)

(1.8)

Short term borrowings including lease liabilities

(0.7)

(0.6)

(0.5)

(0.5)

Other

(1.8)

(0.6)

(0.5)

(0.5)

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(2.0)

(1.7)

(1.4)

(1.4)

Long term borrowings

(2.0)

(1.6)

(1.3)

(1.3)

Other long term liabilities

0.0

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.1)

Net Assets

 

 

9.4

9.4

11.0

12.0

Minority interests

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Shareholders' equity

 

 

9.4

9.4

11.0

12.0

CASH FLOW

Op Cash Flow before WC and tax

1.2

1.8

2.8

2.1

Working capital

(1.7)

1.1

(0.8)

(0.5)

Exceptional & other

(3.3)

(1.0)

0.3

0.0

Tax

1.2

0.5

0.0

0.2

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

(2.6)

2.5

2.3

1.8

Capex (including capitalised R&D)

(1.2)

(0.4)

(0.3)

(1.0)

Acquisitions/disposals

3.7

0.0

0.0

0.0

Net interest

(0.3)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(0.2)

Equity financing

0.3

0.0

0.0

0.0

Dividends

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Net Cash Flow

(0.2)

1.9

1.9

0.7

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

(2.5)

0.7

(0.8)

(2.2)

FX

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other non-cash movements

(3.0)

(0.4)

(0.5)

(0.0)

Closing net debt/(cash) including lease liabilities

 

0.7

(0.8)

(2.2)

(2.8)

Property lease liabilities

1.1

1.2

1.0

1.0

Closing net debt/(cash) excluding property lease liabilities

(0.4)

(1.9)

(3.1)

(3.8)

Source: company data, Edison Investment Research


General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Filtronic and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Filtronic. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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.

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General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Filtronic and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Filtronic. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

1185 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

1185 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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Research: Metals & Mining

Sylvania Platinum — Excellent Q4 production but lower PGM basket

Sylvania Platinum is a safe, low-cost surface platinum group metals (PGM) dump re-treatment company operating in South Africa (SA). Its low-cost operations met production challenges in the first three quarters of FY22, but in Q4 recorded near-record production. However, PGM basket price pressures due to global recessionary concerns, and a modest tick-up in cost inflation, have resulted in a 12.5% reduction in our FY22 EPS forecast. Sylvania is still operating at a healthy margin of 41% on our FY22 estimates (FY21: 53%). Its concerted share buyback programme reduced the share count by 6.8m (2.5%) and has been value accretive to our FY23 forecasts and valuation. We expect a recovery in PGM prices in FY23 due to pent-up vehicle demand and improving supply chains and have left our forecast basket price unchanged. Our FY23e EPS is unchanged, with offsetting buy back and inflation impacts. We have lifted our valuation to 169p thanks to the buybacks. FY22 results are due on 8 September.

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