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Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen — Lots to admire

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DB: DGR)

Last close As at 06/08/2026

—

— 0.00 (0.00%)

Market capitalisation

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Research: Real Estate

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen — Lots to admire

Continued buoyancy in H217 has delivered another successful year for Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DGA). 2017 saw a double-digit increase in gross turnover comfortably exceed management expectations, while a 7% rise in an already generous dividend would have been significantly greater but for unusually high commission reversals on historic transactions. Positive prospects reflect sustained favourable macro factors and a record start to 2018 thanks to a bumper €15m Berlin auction lot and likely associated payout (surplus cash – DGA has no debt – allows profit to be distributed almost entirely by way of dividend).

Richard Finch

Written by

Richard Finch

Analyst, Consumer

Real Estate

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen

Lots to admire

Real estate

Scale research report - Update

6 June 2018

Price

€17.40

Market cap

€28m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

DGR

Listing

Deutsche Börse Scale

Shares in issue

1.6m

Net cash (€m) at December 2017

3.3

Business description

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen is market leader in the auctioning of properties in Germany. The company was founded in Berlin in 1984.

Bull

■

Sustained demand for property thanks to favourable economic and interest rate outlook.

■

Clear market leader with experienced management and wide client base.

■

Sound finances, allowing generous, unbroken dividend record.

Bear

■

Macroeconomic uncertainties; rising interest rates would diminish yield appeal of property.

■

Intensely competitive.

■

Potential supply shortage as a result of excess demand and unrealistic seller expectations.

Analyst

Richard Finch

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Continued buoyancy in H217 has delivered another successful year for Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DGA). 2017 saw a double-digit increase in gross turnover comfortably exceed management expectations, while a 7% rise in an already generous dividend would have been significantly greater but for unusually high commission reversals on historic transactions. Positive prospects reflect sustained favourable macro factors and a record start to 2018 thanks to a bumper €15m Berlin auction lot and likely associated payout (surplus cash – DGA has no debt – allows profit to be distributed almost entirely by way of dividend).

H217 maintains high tempo

While not repeating the step-change in financials of H1, DGA’s second half performance was nonetheless creditable, matching year-on-year gross turnover from autumn and winter auctions. Indeed, net commission rate almost held steady despite the change in mix of lots sold (average sales price up 10%, including the most valuable item then to date at €7m). Net profit was however a casualty (down by a third), albeit exceptionally depressed by the reversal of €0.3m net commission on several historic auction transactions. Also, major subsidiary, Westdeutsche, faced an outstanding comparative. The group lot selling quota fell again owing to concessions on minimum bids to secure orders but was still high at c 86%.

Set fair

Management has once again affirmed positive fundamentals for the business, notably interest rates, disposable income and employment. To that we should add demographic advantages such as supply shortages, a rising population and increasing homeownership rates. While early in the period, management’s 2018 goal of reaching last year’s gross turnover appears undemanding, given 40% higher gross turnover in Q1 and encouraging signs from imminent summer auctions. Consensus estimates (below) are more ambitious but justifiably regard the €15m Berlin area sale, which singly accounted for the Q1 boost, as exceptional, hence the return to more normal growth expectations in 2019.

Valuation: Bumper payout on the cards

Newly-received Federal government approval of that Q118 transaction improves the prospects of a substantially higher 2018 dividend, given DGA’s policy of full profit distribution. A prospective yield of 7% (5% on more normalised 2019 earnings) is materially ahead of that of the small cap market (no direct listed peer).

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Net commission

(€m)

Net profit
(€m)

EPS

(€)

DPS

(€)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/16

10.6

1.17

0.73

0.72

23.8

4.1

12/17

11.2

1.22

0.76

0.77

22.9

4.4

12/18e

12.3

2.07

1.29

1.30

13.5

7.5

12/19e

11.5

1.54

0.96

0.95

18.1

5.5

Source: Company accounts, consensus estimates

Edison Investment Research provides qualitative research coverage on companies in the Deutsche Börse Scale segment in accordance with section 36 subsection 3 of the General Terms and Conditions of Deutsche Börse AG for the Regulated Unofficial Market (Freiverkehr) on Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse (as of 1 March 2017). Two to three research reports will be produced per year. Research reports do not contain Edison analyst financial forecasts.

Review of 2017 results

Exhibit 1: Revenue, margin and dividend progression

Source: Edison Investment Research

The financial statements are in accordance with HGB. DGA, the parent company, is influenced to a considerable extent by the results of its fully owned subsidiaries but it is not obliged to present consolidated accounts and management reports. As a result of profit transfer agreements with its five subsidiaries, the total result of the group is therefore shown in the statements of the parent company.

Consequently, for the sake of clarity we show (shaded below) both gross turnover (auction sale proceeds) and net commission at the group level, as these drive the transferred profits. They are also regarded by management as key indicators. However, they are, of course, only proxies for the subsidiaries’ revenue, which is not disclosed, so accurate top-line analysis is not possible.

Exhibit 2: Analysis of revenue and profit

Year end December (€m), HGB

H116

H216

FY16

H117

H217

FY17

Group:

Turnover from auction sales

40.80

59.48

100.28

57.10

59.50

116.60

Change (%)

-9%

-1%

-5%

+40%

Flat

+16%

Net commission

4.64

5.95

10.59

5.49

5.67

11.16

Rate (%)

11.4%

10.0%

10.6%

9.6%

9.5%

9.6%

Change (%)

Flat

+5%

+2%

+18%

-5%

+5%

Revenue + other operating income

1.88

2.28

4.16

2.39

2.35

4.74

EBITDA

0.31

1.51

1.82

0.90

1.04

1.94

Parent company profit

(0.18)

0.24

0.06

(0.11)

0.20

0.09

Profit from subsidiaries

0.45

1.25

1.70

0.94

0.76

1.70

Pre-tax profit

0.27

1.49

1.76

0.83

0.98

1.81

Net profit

0.17

1.00

1.17

0.56

0.66

1.22

Source: DGA accounts

By any measure 2017 was a success for DGA. A sharp pickup (16%) in gross turnover after two years of consolidation, albeit at a high level (c €100m), drove further steady improvement in net commission and dividend, as shown in Exhibit 1.

However, it was a year of two halves as the exuberance of H1, termed “outstanding” by management ie gross turnover up 40% and a trebling of net profit, was reversed in the second half by top-line consolidation and net profit down by a third.

Given our H1 results review, we focus here on the second half performance. Notwithstanding the volatility of quarterly auctions (14% decline in Q3 gross turnover was fully recouped in subsequent winter auctions), total sale proceeds were maintained at the high level of the two previous second halves. Individual auction house businesses are inevitably volatile but they tend to compensate for each other; the subsidiaries’ composite reduction of 8% in H2 was wholly offset by the parent company’s c 20% higher outturn, driven by its €7m Berlin area lot sale in Q4, then a record for the group.

Second half net commission (effectively revenue in terms of company accounts) was down slightly (by 5%). This reflected the mix of lots sold (average sales price up 10% at €64,000) and consequently rates, which were lower and indeed potentially negotiable. Exhibit 2 shows also that the overall rate of 9.5% was on a par with that of H1.

In view of this relative buoyancy the blow to profit, as reported, is striking but can be attributed largely to €0.3m one-off costs relating to the reversal of net commission on auction transactions dating back over a decade (the main culprit was a €0.2m failed contract from 2014). Commission reversals are customary for DGA but the scale is not (NB: only €41k in 2016 and €79k in 2015, so the 2017 impact may reasonably be viewed as exceptional). Notionally adding back those costs, we may infer additional net profit of €0.2m and €0.12 boost to dividend, assuming full payout.

Strong momentum

Management guidance for 2018 remains understandably upbeat after record auction sale proceeds and net commission in Q1 and indications of the volume of deliveries for the summer auctions later this month. Not only was first quarter gross turnover up 40% at €37m but encouragingly there was little sacrifice in net commission (up 35% at €3.3m). This is all the more impressive as it included a new record lot sale of €15m, presumably at a lower than average commission rate. Apart from the immediate financial boost, the transaction brings DGA excellent publicity in terms of using the auction channel for such substantial items and as a reference sale in the valuable Berlin market. Consensus forecasts assume this transaction to be exceptional, hence the lower outturn in 2019, but DGA has a good relationship with the Federal Bundesanstalt (sales up strongly in 2017), so the offer of further high-value lots is not wishful thinking, in our view.

Balance sheet and cash flow

Finances remain sound with €3.3m net cash at December 2017. Surplus cash (the company has no debt) allows profit to be distributed almost entirely by way of dividend. Management is justifiably proud of its dividend record and well aware of investor demand for attractive dividend yield at a time of low interest rates.

Valuation

With no direct peer listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, we look at the iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, which seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-cap German equities. This shows a historical P/E ratio of 14.9x (DGA 23x) and 12-month trailing yield of 1.1% (DGA 4.4%). As noted above, the history of a sustained and attractive dividend should lend support to the shares.

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Any Information, data, analysis and opinions contained in this report do not constitute investment advice by Deutsche Börse AG or the Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse. Any investment decision should be solely based on a securities offering document or another document containing all information required to make such an investment decision, including risk factors.

Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by Deutsche Börse AG and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. 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. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd (AFSL: 427484)) and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US 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. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and 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. 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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

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