It is appropriate to describe the H117 results from Ultra Electronics as flat. Revenues, operating profit, profit before tax and EPS growth (all on an underlying basis) varied by less than 0.5% when compared to the prior year. The company still anticipates a bigger skew in organic growth to H2 than in previous years. There is further fine-tuning to our EPS estimates, which we have lowered by 1%. The dilution from the placing in July depresses EPS until the reinvestment in Sparton completes, which is expected at the start of FY18. The subsequent uplift should coincide with higher organic growth following the improved momentum in H217.
Written by
Ultra Electronics |
Defence growth to resurface |
Interim results |
Aerospace & defence |
7 August 2017 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analysts
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It is appropriate to describe the H117 results from Ultra Electronics as flat. Revenues, operating profit, profit before tax and EPS growth (all on an underlying basis) varied by less than 0.5% when compared to the prior year. The company still anticipates a bigger skew in organic growth to H2 than in previous years. There is further fine-tuning to our EPS estimates, which we have lowered by 1%. The dilution from the placing in July depresses EPS until the reinvestment in Sparton completes, which is expected at the start of FY18. The subsequent uplift should coincide with higher organic growth following the improved momentum in H217.
Year end |
Revenue (£m) |
PBT* |
EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
12/15 |
726.3 |
112.4 |
123.9 |
46.1 |
16.7 |
2.2 |
12/16 |
785.8 |
120.1 |
134.6 |
47.8 |
15.4 |
2.3 |
12/17e |
802.5 |
120.4 |
127.7 |
49.5 |
16.2 |
2.4 |
12/18e |
840.0 |
130.1 |
130.6 |
52.0 |
15.8 |
2.5 |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles and exceptional items.
Stable first half performance, improving orders
The stable H117 outcome arose from a combination of organic revenue declines of 6.7% due to a higher level of engineering activity and contract award delays primarily caused by the Continuing Resolution (CR) in the US. The organic revenue decline was exacerbated by the impact of a 2.9% decline from the disposal of the ID business in August 2016, but these declines were largely offset by a favourable FX tailwind of 9.3%. Underlying operating margins were held at 15.7%, helped by net savings from the S3 shared services programme of £2.6m (H116 net charge: £0.5m). Encouragingly, the order book grew organically by 3.9% to £807.8m in H117 and order intake by 1.5% to £390.3m, a book to bill ratio of 1.07x. Cash flow was depressed by deferred working capital flows that should unwind in H2, but the modest £3.7m net debt increase maintained the strong balance sheet even ahead of the £133.9m placing. The interim dividend increased by 2.8% to 14.6p per share.
Signs of improvement despite budget constraints
The CR, lifted in early May, has had a detrimental impact on H117 performance and order flow during H117. Although the pace of DOD spending improved in May and June, hopes of avoiding a new CR from October appear to be receding, despite a technically aligned administration. In comparative terms this should not affect H2 performance but could still constrain growth in Ultra’s largest market. As well as order growth, increased customer-funded R&D implies a rise in future programme sales. Encouragingly export sales are gathering pace, boosted by the recent Indian order. The prospect of more dynamic organic growth in FY18 remains.
Valuation: Rating premium justified
The dilution from the placing with reinvestment in Sparton targeted for early 2018 is distorting the current premium of Ultra to its UK peers. Given expectation of future growth and the uplift from Sparton we suggest Ultra’s underlying quality merits the premium.
Interim results
Exhibit 1: Interim results and full year estimates summary
Consolidated income statement |
2016 |
2017 |
% change |
||||||
Year to December (£m) |
H1 |
H2 |
FY16 |
H1 |
H2e |
FY17e |
H1 |
H2e |
FY17e |
Revenues |
366.6 |
419.2 |
785.8 |
366.4 |
436.1 |
802.5 |
-0.1% |
4.0% |
2.1% |
EBITDA |
65.2 |
82.8 |
148.0 |
64.5 |
82.6 |
147.0 |
-1.2% |
-0.3% |
-0.7% |
OPBIT |
57.7 |
73.5 |
131.1 |
57.6 |
73.8 |
131.5 |
-0.1% |
0.5% |
0.2% |
Pre-tax profit (underlying) |
52.4 |
67.7 |
120.1 |
52.4 |
68.1 |
120.4 |
-0.1% |
0.6% |
0.3% |
Net income (ongoing underlying) |
40.9 |
53.8 |
94.7 |
41.1 |
52.8 |
93.9 |
0.6% |
-1.8% |
-0.8% |
EPS (p) – ongoing underlying |
58.1 |
134.6 |
58.3 |
127.7 |
0.3% |
-5.1% |
|||
DPS (p) |
14.2 |
33.6 |
47.8 |
14.6 |
34.9 |
49.5 |
2.8% |
3.9% |
3.6% |
Source: Ultra Electronics reports, Edison Investment Research estimates
Were it not for the moving parts, the interim results would resemble a repeat of H116 at the underlying level. However, the sale of the ID business, the deferral of US opportunities due to CR, higher company funded R&D and increased engineering activity were largely offset by the more favourable FX and at the operating level by the net savings now coming from the S3 shared services programme.
We take encouragement from an improving order book progression and rising book to bill ratio. The order book has grown organically by 1.8% to £807.8m over the last year, and by 3.9% since December 2016. All divisions saw higher backlogs at the end of the half year, including FX swings, albeit only modest in Aerospace & Infrastructure (up £0.4m at £255.8m). The Indian Defence Systems contract was not included in the half year so the situation has continued to improve in July. Orders on hand covered full year sales by 82% at the half year, similar to the 84% level a year ago.
A further positive for the medium-term growth potential is the increase in the level of customer-funded R&D. It increased by 13% or £6.9m to £60.0m. The investment generates lower development margins in the near term and generally leads to higher margins and expanded production revenues in the medium term.
Sales to the rest of the world increased 24% to £58.1m in H117 and now represent 16% of group sales. Given the increasing proportion of the group that total export sales represents, the rising demand for Ultra’s products, notably in ASW, should further enhance organic growth and margins.
Exhibit 2: Ultra Electronics half year divisional performance
Year to December (£m) |
H1 |
H2 |
2016 |
H1 |
H2e |
2017e |
% change |
||
H1 |
H2e |
2017e |
|||||||
Aerospace & Infrastructure |
93.0 |
111.7 |
204.7 |
96.0 |
116.9 |
207.9 |
3.2% |
0.2% |
1.6% |
Communications & Security |
119.8 |
139.2 |
259.0 |
109.8 |
143.2 |
258.0 |
-8.3% |
6.5% |
-0.4% |
Maritime & Land |
153.8 |
168.3 |
322.1 |
160.6 |
176.0 |
336.6 |
4.4% |
4.6% |
4.5% |
Revenues |
366.6 |
419.2 |
785.8 |
366.4 |
436.1 |
802.5 |
-0.1% |
4.0% |
2.1% |
Aerospace & Infrastructure |
15.2 |
17.2 |
32.4 |
16.1 |
16.9 |
32.2 |
6.1% |
-6.3% |
-0.5% |
Communications & Security |
15.8 |
23.9 |
39.7 |
13.0 |
26.2 |
40.0 |
-17.8% |
13.0% |
0.7% |
Maritime & Land |
26.7 |
32.4 |
59.1 |
28.5 |
30.7 |
59.2 |
6.9% |
-5.1% |
0.3% |
Group operating profit |
57.7 |
73.5 |
131.1 |
57.6 |
73.8 |
131.5 |
-0.1% |
0.5% |
0.2% |
Aerospace & Infrastructure |
16.3% |
15.4% |
15.8% |
16.8% |
14.5% |
15.5% |
|||
Communications & Security |
13.2% |
17.2% |
15.3% |
11.8% |
18.3% |
15.5% |
|||
Maritime & Land |
17.4% |
19.2% |
18.3% |
17.8% |
17.4% |
17.6% |
|||
EBIT margin |
15.73% |
17.5% |
16.7% |
15.73% |
16.9% |
16.4% |
|||
Source: Ultra Electronics reports, Edison Investment Research estimates
Aerospace & Infrastructure benefited from an increase in the land vehicle segment, boosted by FX and supplemented by an improved performance from the contract manufacturing business. Revenues rose 3.2% to £96.0m generating operating profits of £16.1m. The operating margin increased by 50bps to 16.8%, which appears very supportive of our full year expectation.
Despite the deferral of some sales to H217 arising from the CR, sales of the Communications & Security division were flat after stripping out the contribution in H116 from the ID cards activity, which was a high-margin activity. In addition, the prior year period had benefited from now complete higher-margin production contracts. The division saw increased levels of engineering in support of future production programmes. These also served to reduce overall operating margins, which fell to 11.8% (FY16 c12.9% excluding the ID business).
The sale of ID took place a year ago and will therefore have less of an influence on second half performance. In addition, the 7.2% increase in the order book is an encouraging support for improved growth in the division.
Maritime & Land remains the largest activity, a position that should shortly be further extended by purchase of Sparton. In H117 sales rose 4.4% to £160.6m and profits rose by 6.9% to £28.5m, driven largely by increased demand for both US domestic and international sonobuoys. The CR did weigh on performance during the period and the benefit of the Fatahillah ship contract last year was absent. The 30bps increase in margin to 17.8% appears impressive in these circumstances. There was also an encouraging 1.9% improvement in orders on hand to £317.5m or almost two years’ sales. The international demand for ASW products combined with the expansion of the sonobuoy business through the Sparton acquisition looks to be well timed.
Reduced estimates reflect ongoing budget constraint
While the CR ended in May, we had hoped that the US administration might achieve an on time defence budget agreement and allow a full second half of uninterrupted contract flows. This now appears unlikely and although the issue may be resolved by the year end, it does seem likely to constrain H2 performance. Budgetary pressures are also apparent in the UK as evidenced by the first half decline in revenues. Affordability of the major procurement programmes has yet to be addressed and the snap general election has only served to delay the process and increase uncertainty. FX is also likely to provide a diminishing tailwind in the second half.
As a result we have found it necessary to reduce our revenue estimates by 1.3% this year and 1.5% next year, which leads to a c 2% decline in EBITDA in each year. However, the current FY18 earnings level is diluted by the cash held on account to part finance Sparton when it completes. The EPS growth when that happens should appear far more compelling.
Exhibit 3: Ultra Electronics earnings estimates revisions
Year to December (£m) |
2017e |
2017e |
|
2018e |
2018e |
|
Prior |
New |
% change |
Prior |
New |
% change |
|
Aerospace & Infrastructure |
212.9 |
207.9 |
-2.4% |
223.5 |
218.3 |
-2.4% |
Communications & Security |
268.0 |
258.0 |
-3.7% |
284.1 |
268.3 |
-5.5% |
Maritime & Land |
331.9 |
336.6 |
1.4% |
345.2 |
353.4 |
2.4% |
Sales |
812.8 |
802.5 |
-1.3% |
852.8 |
840.0 |
-1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA |
149.8 |
147.0 |
-1.9% |
157.2 |
153.9 |
-2.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aerospace & Infrastructure |
33.0 |
33.0 |
0.0% |
34.9 |
34.0 |
-2.4% |
Communications & Security |
41.5 |
39.2 |
-5.6% |
44.6 |
42.1 |
-5.5% |
Maritime & Land |
58.4 |
59.2 |
1.4% |
60.7 |
62.2 |
2.4% |
Underlying EBITA |
132.9 |
131.5 |
-1.1% |
140.2 |
138.4 |
-1.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying PBT |
121.9 |
120.4 |
-1.2% |
132.0 |
130.1 |
-1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS – underlying continuing (p) |
129.3 |
127.7 |
-1.2% |
132.5 |
130.6 |
-1.5% |
DPS (p) |
49.5 |
49.5 |
0.0% |
52.0 |
52.0 |
0.0% |
Net debt |
96.0 |
97.4 |
1.4% |
44.6 |
48.2 |
8.0% |
Source: Edison Investment Research estimates
Exhibit 4: Financial summary
£m |
2015 |
2016 |
2017e |
2018e |
||
Year end 31 December |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
||
PROFIT & LOSS |
||||||
Revenue |
|
|
726.3 |
785.8 |
802.5 |
840.0 |
Cost of Sales |
(514.1) |
(580.9) |
(609.9) |
(640.4) |
||
Gross Profit |
212.2 |
204.9 |
192.5 |
199.6 |
||
EBITDA |
|
|
134.8 |
148.0 |
147.0 |
153.9 |
Operating Profit (before amort. and except.) |
|
|
120.0 |
131.1 |
131.5 |
138.4 |
Intangible Amortisation |
(3.8) |
(5.4) |
(5.1) |
(4.9) |
||
Exceptionals |
(81.7) |
(71.5) |
(31.8) |
(38.8) |
||
Other |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Operating Profit |
34.5 |
54.2 |
94.5 |
94.7 |
||
Net Interest |
(7.5) |
(11.1) |
(11.0) |
(8.3) |
||
Profit Before Tax (norm) |
|
|
112.4 |
120.1 |
120.4 |
130.1 |
Profit Before Tax (FRS 3) |
|
|
27.0 |
43.1 |
83.5 |
86.4 |
Tax |
(9.8) |
(9.4) |
(17.3) |
(20.1) |
||
Profit After Tax (norm) |
86.8 |
94.7 |
93.9 |
101.5 |
||
Profit After Tax (FRS 3) |
17.2 |
33.8 |
66.2 |
66.3 |
||
Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m) |
70.1 |
70.3 |
73.5 |
77.7 |
||
EPS - normalised (p) |
|
|
123.9 |
134.6 |
127.7 |
130.6 |
EPS - normalised and fully diluted (p) |
|
|
123.8 |
134.5 |
127.6 |
130.4 |
EPS - (IFRS) (p) |
|
|
24.5 |
48.0 |
90.0 |
85.4 |
Dividend per share (p) |
46.1 |
47.8 |
49.5 |
52.0 |
||
Gross Margin (%) |
29.2 |
26.1 |
24.0 |
23.8 |
||
EBITDA Margin (%) |
18.6 |
18.8 |
18.3 |
18.3 |
||
Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%) |
16.5 |
16.7 |
16.4 |
16.5 |
||
BALANCE SHEET |
||||||
Fixed Assets |
|
|
637.2 |
655.4 |
627.7 |
604.0 |
Intangible Assets |
569.0 |
589.2 |
555.8 |
526.1 |
||
Tangible Assets |
68.2 |
66.2 |
71.8 |
77.9 |
||
Investments |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Current Assets |
|
|
308.5 |
364.9 |
522.5 |
537.2 |
Stocks |
81.8 |
78.2 |
82.2 |
88.7 |
||
Debtors |
117.0 |
142.5 |
160.5 |
167.2 |
||
Cash |
45.5 |
74.6 |
208.3 |
208.3 |
||
Other |
64.2 |
69.6 |
71.4 |
73.0 |
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
(181.4) |
(178.6) |
(176.0) |
(183.6) |
Creditors |
(181.4) |
(178.6) |
(176.0) |
(183.6) |
||
Short term borrowings |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Long Term Liabilities |
|
|
(447.5) |
(478.1) |
(454.3) |
(406.9) |
Long term borrowings |
(341.0) |
(331.3) |
(305.7) |
(256.5) |
||
Other long term liabilities |
(106.5) |
(146.8) |
(148.6) |
(150.5) |
||
Net Assets |
|
|
316.8 |
363.6 |
519.8 |
550.6 |
CASH FLOW |
||||||
Operating Cash Flow |
|
|
85.4 |
117.8 |
107.1 |
137.5 |
Net Interest |
(6.0) |
(7.5) |
(11.1) |
(11.0) |
||
Tax |
(26.0) |
(17.3) |
(17.3) |
(20.1) |
||
Capex |
(6.4) |
(7.4) |
(18.8) |
(19.5) |
||
Acquisitions/disposals |
(171.8) |
16.8 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Financing |
4.9 |
3.0 |
133.7 |
0.0 |
||
Dividends |
(31.3) |
(32.6) |
(34.3) |
(37.6) |
||
Other |
(13.9) |
(34.0) |
(0.0) |
0.0 |
||
Net Cash Flow |
(165.2) |
38.9 |
159.3 |
49.2 |
||
Opening net debt/(cash) |
|
|
129.5 |
295.6 |
256.7 |
97.4 |
HP finance leases initiated |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Other |
(0.9) |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
Closing net debt/(cash) |
|
|
295.6 |
256.7 |
97.4 |
48.2 |
Source: Ultra Electronics reports, Edison Investment Research estimates
|
|
We have revised our forecasts following the newsflow over the last few months. While management has completed its strategic review, the transitioning process is continuing. The group has switched from operating on a divisional basis to global functions. The development team has been unified, and development work has shifted from platforms to ‘microservices’, so that new products can be leveraged across the group. Further, Brady is evolving to a recurring revenue model. We have cut our FY17 forecasts to reflect the current transitioning but forecast revenue and margins to improve significantly thereafter. Given the long-term growth opportunities, notably in agriculture, natural gas and power, we believe the shares look attractive on 14x our cash-adjusted FY19 EPS.