aap Implantate’s recent results for Q317 and the first nine months of 2017 (9M17) justified its recent trauma focus with 11% and 13% increases in trauma sales, respectively. With investments in the Quality First initiative, the evaluation of strategic options and the share buyback, it was pleasing to see that sales and EBITDA (loss) continue to be expected within the guidance range for the full year, albeit towards the lower end of the range.
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aap Implantate |
Focus is the key foundation
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Healthcare equipment & services |
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28 November 2017 |
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aap Implantate is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
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aap Implantate’s recent results for Q317 and the first nine months of 2017 (9M17) justified its recent trauma focus with 11% and 13% increases in trauma sales, respectively. With investments in the Quality First initiative, the evaluation of strategic options and the share buyback, it was pleasing to see that sales and EBITDA (loss) continue to be expected within the guidance range for the full year, albeit towards the lower end of the range.
Q3 within guidance
In Q3, aap Implantate reported total sales of €2.6m and an EBITDA loss of €1.6m; both in line with quarterly guidance. aap therefore remains on track to meet its forecast guidance for the full year. Although EBITDA losses reduced in Q3 by 11% y-o-y and by 8% for 9M17, total sales declined by 10% and 9% over the comparable Q3 and 9M periods, respectively. This was primarily due to the Joints and Biomaterials divestments in 2016. From an operational view, working capital decreased and, reflecting the efficiency measures undertaken, average days sales outstanding was down by more than 10% compared to last year.
Strategic components now in place
aap Implantate has focused efforts on its trauma business, and on higher-margin established markets, while stabilising other markets like China and Brazil. Q3 demonstrated the benefits of this strategy with 11% sales growth (to €2.6m) in trauma, and incorporated 14% North American sales growth (23% for 9M17). Gross margins increased to 87% from 68% in Q3 y-o-y, reflecting higher sales share in established markets and sales growth in trauma, in combination with reduced personnel costs.
Valuation may not reflect business expansion
With a market cap of less than €50m, aap is among the smallest of the focused public medical device companies. Its valuation may not reflect the future potential to the company of its antimicrobial sliver-coated implant technology. This aims to reduce what can be very expensive and risky surgical revisions and medical treatment due to infections associated with the surgery. Silver coating technology is meant to prevent surgical site infections that are a significant cost and morbidity burden to healthcare systems. In the longer term, silver coating technology could be applied to cardiovascular and dental devices, potentially providing additional licensing revenues. Clarification on the size, cost and duration of the planned clinical study for a US PMA approval to achieve these claims for silver-coated implants is expected to be announced in Q118.
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Reported financials
Source: aap Implantate accounts |
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Disclaimer
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KEFI has announced that it has made “considerable progress” in finalising the US$140m infrastructure lease facility for the development of Tulu Kapi in Ethiopia. The announcement follows the release of KEFI’s updated financial projections for Tulu Kapi in late October, based (for the first time) on a c 25% increase in ore processing capacity to 1.9-2.1Mtpa. It has also reconfirmed the project’s timeline, with construction anticipated in FY18-19 and commissioning at the end of 2019, and a residual equity/mezzanine requirement of US$20m (in line with our expectations).