As flagged at the 9M16 results, due to factors well beyond management control – namely lower solar radiance, currency movements and spot power prices – FY16 was a less favourable year for Ellomay. The over 20% drop in reported EBITDA meant the company was loss making for the year. We view these headwinds as one-off factors and, due to Ellomay’s track record on cost control, actually increase our earnings forecasts for FY18 (FY18 reported EBITDA up 7.4% versus old forecasts) and afterwards. A weaker euro means we reduce our FY17 earnings in US$, but our revenues are only marginally different at constant currency. Higher cash flow taken together with the same valuation methodology means we increase our fair value per share to $10.93, up 4.7% versus our last note, which offers 31% upside.
Written by
Ellomay Capital |
FY16 weak, but case remains |
FY16 results |
Utilities |
9 May 2017 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analysts
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As flagged at the 9M16 results, due to factors well beyond management control – namely lower solar radiance, currency movements and spot power prices – FY16 was a less favourable year for Ellomay. The over 20% drop in reported EBITDA meant the company was loss making for the year. We view these headwinds as one-off factors and, due to Ellomay’s track record on cost control, actually increase our earnings forecasts for FY18 (FY18 reported EBITDA up 7.4% versus old forecasts) and afterwards. A weaker euro means we reduce our FY17 earnings in US$, but our revenues are only marginally different at constant currency. Higher cash flow taken together with the same valuation methodology means we increase our fair value per share to $10.93, up 4.7% versus our last note, which offers 31% upside.
Year end |
Revenue ($m) |
PBT* |
EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
12/15 |
13.82 |
1.86 |
0.35 |
0.00 |
23.6 |
N/A |
12/16 |
12.87 |
(1.25) |
(0.18) |
0.23 |
N/A |
2.7 |
12/17e |
13.50 |
3.75 |
0.26 |
0.23 |
31.6 |
2.7 |
12/18e |
15.09 |
5.79 |
0.41 |
0.23 |
20.4 |
2.7 |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.
Strong cost management as headwinds bite
It was encouraging to see Ellomay’s management cushion the effect of difficult operating conditions by controlling costs. Gross profit was only down c $400k, while revenues decreased by c $1m y-o-y. Cost increases such as that in G&A were due principally to investment in new projects. Manara alone accounted for some $1.8m of costs in FY16, which should bring future returns for shareholders, plus future costs are likely to be capitalised, reflected in our increased FY17 estimates.
Optionality remains through new projects
Little new information was released at FY16 regarding new projects such as the Dutch waste-to-energy and the Manara Cliff pumped storage project. However, the company did announce on 30 April that it had entered into a €10m agreement to purchase shares in a proposed 300MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Cáceres, Spain and announced on May 4 that it had entered into another project in the Netherlands for the construction of an anaerobic digestion facility.
Valuation: $10.93 per share and 31% upside
We increase our sum-of-the-parts derived fair value per share by 4.7% to $10.93, versus $10.44. We have not changed any of our valuation methodologies (multiples, discount rates, etc), rather the slight increase in fair value is a function of a ‘roll forward’ in our valuation. Dorad, which is the main driver of the uplift, increases in value as we roll forward our DCF valuation. The solar operations have also been rolled forward, but with a smaller impact due to a different operating environment. The 31% upside to our fair value from $8.31 at the time of publication is attractive and the introduction of a dividend in FY16 at $0.225/share offers a 2.7% yield.
FY16 weak, but due to well-flagged short-term factors
With a well-flagged drop in reported EBITDA of over 20% due to short-term factors – lower solar radiance and lower spot prices – Ellomay’s operating performance over the year was well beneath previous years.
Exhibit 1: FY16 vs FY15 numbers
US$000s |
2015 |
2016 |
% y-o-y |
Italy Revenues (Edison estimates) |
10,620 |
9,870 |
-7.1% |
Spain Revenues (Edison estimates) |
3,197 |
3,002 |
-6.1% |
Group Revenues |
13,817 |
12,872 |
-6.8% |
EBITDA (company definition; including associates and exceptionals) |
9,685 |
7,492 |
-22.6% |
Associates |
2,446 |
1,505 |
-38.5% |
Operating Profit (before amort. and except.) |
2,306 |
1,004 |
-56.5% |
Profit Before Tax (norm) |
1,859 |
(1,251) |
|
Profit After Tax (norm) |
3,792 |
(1,876) |
|
EPS normalised (US$) |
0.35 |
(0.18) |
|
DPS (US$) |
0.00 |
0.23 |
N/A |
Source: Ellomay, Edison Investment Research
Results analysis
■
Power output: As we highlighted at our 9M16 results review, due, predominantly, to lower solar radiance levels in Spain and Italy, Ellomay’s power output was lagging behind previous years. Over the course of the year, we calculate Ellomay’s solar power output was down 4.2% (Italy down 5.5% and Spain down 1.1%).
■
Spot prices: Although a smaller moving part than the decline in power output, especially given the fact that most of Ellomay’s earnings come from regulated power price subsidies, the fact that Spanish spot prices were down 20.8% and Italian power prices declined by 17.7% in FY16 acted as another drag on earnings.
■
Cost analysis: Ellomay’s focus on cost management went some way to cushioning the effect from lower power output. While revenues were down by $1m, gross profit was only down by $400k ($6.051m to $5.683m). This was due to a significant reduction in operating expenses. Company management has indicated that lower insurance, operating and maintenance and municipal tax costs lay behind the cost decrease. FY16 G&A costs of $4.679m (up $934k vs FY15) further reduced the operating performance but c $1.800m ($1.027m in FY15) of this line item is in relation to the proposed Manara project and the company hopes to capitalise such costs in the future. Furthermore the company reduced salary costs by over $300k and there was a near $500k increase in professional services, some of which is in relation to the proposed Dutch waste to energy project.
■
Associates: The contribution from Ellomay’s 9.375% stake in the Dorad gas-fired power plant declined year-on-year by $941k to $1.505m. Little operating information is disclosed but we note there was an approximate 0.5% tariff reduction in FY16.
■
Updates on new projects: In the FY16 announcement, Ran Fridrich, Ellomay’s CEO, stated that FY16 was “characterised by intensive project development activities, including the Manara pumped storage project, waste-to-energy projects in the Netherlands and other projects in the photovoltaic field in Israel and Europe. I expect that we will start to see the fruits of these efforts in 2017.”
■
Cash flow: Net debt increased by 1.3% vs FY15 to $34.1m. Cash flow from investing came in at $1m for the year versus our forecast of $10m. Capex of $5.388m was higher than we had forecast. These movements were partially offset by the increase in cash flow from operations versus our previous estimates, which was driven by a $5.1m interest payment from a loan to an equity accounted investee.
■
Net debt increased year-on-year, also due to the financial closing of the new subsidiary in the Netherlands (initially consolidated in 2016) adding project financing of approximately US$6m.
Financials and forecasts
We marginally reduce our solar PV output assumptions and change our €/US$ FX assumptions, with the result that our FY17 revenue forecasts are reduced by 5.6%. Our FY17 company definition EBITDA forecasts are reduced by just 0.7% due to cost improvements, but our (Edison definition) EPS forecast in FY17 declines by 20.5%. Higher depreciation and net interest charges account for the difference. Even in FY18, for which we have not changed our FX assumptions, our EPS assumption is 7.9% lower, in part due to higher depreciation and a higher net interest charge due to higher net debt. Despite the fact net debt is materially higher versus our forecasts, we are unconcerned due to the regular income stream Ellomay produces from its solar PV assets. Net debt to reported EBITDA peaks at 2.55x in FY17, while based on a more conservative definition of EBITDA (Edison), it peaks also this year at 3.42x, which is an undemanding multiple for a regulated operating company.
Exhibit 2: Ellomay earnings forecast changes
US$000s |
2017e |
2018e |
2019e |
New revenues |
13,497 |
15,092 |
15,092 |
Old revenues |
14,293 |
15,134 |
|
± New vs old |
-5.6% |
-0.3% |
|
New EBITDA (company definition) |
11,249 |
13,042 |
13,265 |
Old EBITDA (company definition) |
11,323 |
12,244 |
|
± New vs old |
-0.7% |
6.5% |
|
New equity investments |
2,871 |
3,305 |
3,581 |
Old equity investments |
2,871 |
3,174 |
|
± New vs old |
0.0% |
4.1% |
|
New EBITDA (Edison definition) |
8,378 |
9,737 |
9,683 |
Old EBITDA (Edison definition) |
8,451 |
9,070 |
|
± New vs old |
-0.9% |
7.4% |
|
New operating profit |
6,211 |
7,997 |
8,212 |
Old operating profit |
7,187 |
8,325 |
|
± New vs old |
-13.6% |
-3.9% |
|
New profit for the year |
2,810 |
4,343 |
4,706 |
Old profit for the year |
3,561 |
4,750 |
|
± New vs old |
-21.1% |
-8.6% |
|
New reported basic EPS (US$) |
0.26 |
0.41 |
0.44 |
Old reported basic EPS (US$) |
0.33 |
0.44 |
|
± New vs old |
-20.8% |
-8.2% |
|
New EPS (Edison definition) (US$) |
0.26 |
0.41 |
0.44 |
Old EPS (Edison definition) (US$) |
0.33 |
0.44 |
|
± New vs old |
-20.5% |
-7.9% |
|
New net debt |
28,641 |
22,725 |
15,603 |
Old net debt |
20,562 |
15,066 |
|
± New vs old |
39.3% |
50.8% |
Source: Edison Investment Research
Assumptions
We have tweaked our power output assumptions as we forecast future load factors as a function of average load factors historically. Therefore FY16’s lower output due to low radiance means we nudge our assumptions down by a couple of per cent. By far the more meaningful change, however, is the stronger dollar. Given the company reports in US dollars and earns the bulk of its revenues in euros, the recent weakening of the euro versus the dollar has decreased our FY17 forecasts and we view it as sensible to alter our FY17 US$/€ exchange rate (from €0.90 to €0.94) to reflect the change. Note that in the absence of this currency move, our revenue forecasts would only be down by 1-2%.
Exhibit 3: Edison assumption changes for Ellomay
Assumptions changes |
Unit |
2017e |
2018e |
2019e |
New Italy power output |
KWh |
30,516,454 |
30,516,454 |
30,516,454 |
Old Italy power output |
KWh |
31,381,506 |
31,381,506 |
31,381,506 |
± New vs old |
-2.8% |
-2.8% |
-2.8% |
|
New Spain power output |
KWh |
12,668,060 |
12,668,060 |
12,668,060 |
Old Spain power output |
KWh |
12,715,876 |
12,715,876 |
12,715,876 |
± New vs old |
-0.4% |
-0.4% |
-0.4% |
|
New US$/€ |
0.94 |
0.85 |
0.85 |
|
Old US$/€ |
0.90 |
0.85 |
0.85 |
|
± New vs old |
4.2% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
Source: Edison Investment Research
Valuation
We continue to value Ellomay on a sum-of-the-parts basis. The solar assets are valued by an average of a DCF (WACC 5.7%, terminal growth 1%), EV/EBITDA and per KW multiple. The equity stake in Dorad is valued by DCF (WACC 8.0%, terminal growth 1%). We subtract FY16’s (Edison definition) net debt of $34.079m in arriving at our fair value per share of $10.93, which offers 31% upside, and is a 4.7% increase since our last publication. We do not include any value from the Dutch waste-to-energy assets or Manara Cliff in our estimates.
Exhibit 4: Ellomay sum-of-the-parts
Segment |
|
EV (US$000s) |
Solar Operations |
Blended: 10x FY18e EBITDA, DCF (WACC 5.7%), $3,500/ KWh installed capacity |
93,433 |
Dorad Investment |
DCF (WACC 8.0%, terminal growth 1%) |
57,323 |
Group enterprise value |
|
150,757 |
Less: FY16 net debt |
|
34,079 |
Less: pensions and other |
|
0 |
SOP valuation |
|
116,678 |
Current number of shares (m) |
|
10.7 |
Current price US$/share |
|
8.31 |
Fair value per share US$/share |
|
10.93 |
Upside/(downside) to FV (%) |
|
31.5% |
Dividend yield (%) |
|
2.7% |
Total return (%) |
|
34.2% |
Source: Edison Investment Research
Exhibit 5: Financial summary
US$000s |
2015 |
2016 |
2017e |
2018e |
||
Year end 31 December |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
||
PROFIT & LOSS |
||||||
Revenue |
|
|
13,817 |
12,872 |
13,497 |
15,092 |
EBITDA (company definition) |
|
|
9,685 |
7,492 |
11,249 |
13,042 |
EBITDA (Edison definition, excluding associates) |
7,218 |
5,888 |
8,378 |
9,737 |
||
Operating Profit (before amort. and except.) |
2,306 |
1,004 |
3,340 |
4,692 |
||
Intangible Amortisation |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Exceptionals |
21 |
99 |
0 |
0 |
||
Other |
3,485 |
704 |
0 |
0 |
||
Operating Profit |
5,812 |
1,807 |
3,340 |
4,692 |
||
Net Interest |
(2,893) |
(3,760) |
(2,465) |
(2,206) |
||
Share of assocs/jvs gains/(losses) |
2,446 |
1,505 |
2,871 |
3,305 |
||
Forex gains/(losses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Profit Before Tax (norm) |
|
|
1,859 |
(1,251) |
3,746 |
5,791 |
Profit Before Tax (FRS 3) |
|
|
5,365 |
(448) |
3,746 |
5,791 |
Tax |
1,933 |
(625) |
(937) |
(1,448) |
||
Profit After Tax (norm) |
3,792 |
(1,876) |
2,810 |
4,343 |
||
Profit After Tax (FRS 3) |
7,553 |
(603) |
2,810 |
4,343 |
||
Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m) |
10.7 |
10.7 |
10.7 |
10.7 |
||
EPS - normalised ($) |
|
|
0.35 |
(0.18) |
0.26 |
0.41 |
EPS - normalised and fully diluted ($) |
|
0.35 |
(0.18) |
0.26 |
0.41 |
|
EPS - (IFRS) ($) |
|
|
0.70 |
(0.06) |
0.26 |
0.41 |
Dividend per share ($) |
0.00 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
||
EBITDA Margin (%) |
52.2 |
45.7 |
62.1 |
64.5 |
||
Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%) |
16.7 |
7.8 |
24.7 |
31.1 |
||
BALANCE SHEET |
||||||
Fixed Assets |
|
|
126,814 |
120,628 |
118,711 |
117,222 |
Intangible Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Tangible Assets |
78,975 |
77,066 |
72,278 |
67,483 |
||
Investments |
33,970 |
30,788 |
33,659 |
36,965 |
||
Other |
13,869 |
12,774 |
12,774 |
12,774 |
||
Current Assets |
|
|
33,513 |
34,641 |
33,152 |
35,015 |
Stocks |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Debtors |
8,218 |
9,952 |
8,024 |
8,972 |
||
Cash |
18,717 |
23,650 |
24,088 |
25,004 |
||
Other |
6,578 |
1,039 |
1,039 |
1,039 |
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
(10,103) |
(11,102) |
(9,968) |
(10,095) |
Creditors |
(4,092) |
(4,963) |
(3,829) |
(3,956) |
||
Short term borrowings |
(6,011) |
(6,139) |
(6,139) |
(6,139) |
||
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Long Term Liabilities |
|
|
(56,159) |
(56,302) |
(51,302) |
(46,302) |
Long term borrowings |
(48,117) |
(48,385) |
(43,385) |
(38,385) |
||
Other long term liabilities |
(8,042) |
(7,917) |
(7,917) |
(7,917) |
||
Net Assets |
|
|
94,065 |
87,865 |
90,593 |
95,840 |
CASH FLOW |
||||||
Operating Cash Flow |
|
|
9,989 |
10,684 |
9,171 |
8,916 |
Net Interest |
(2,904) |
(3,049) |
(2,465) |
(2,206) |
||
Tax |
(2,174) |
571 |
(937) |
(1,448) |
||
Capex |
0 |
(5,388) |
(250) |
(250) |
||
Acquisitions/disposals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Equity financing |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Financing |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Dividends |
0 |
(2,404) |
(2,402) |
(2,402) |
||
Other |
(4,485) |
(1,856) |
2,871 |
3,305 |
||
Net Cash Flow |
426 |
(1,442) |
5,988 |
5,915 |
||
Opening net debt/(cash) |
|
|
32,932 |
33,636 |
34,079 |
28,641 |
HP finance leases initiated |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Other |
(461) |
(999) |
550 |
0 |
||
Closing net debt/(cash) |
|
|
33,636 |
34,079 |
28,641 |
22,725 |
Source: Ellomay Capital accounts, Edison Investment Research
|
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