M Winkworth
Written by
M Winkworth |
Market non-recovery confirmed |
Trading update |
Real estate |
3 December 2015 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analysts
M Winkworth is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
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Challenging market conditions, especially in central London property, should not have come as any surprise. Management confidence in its franchise is emphasised by continued investment, and the tone of its commentary indicates that it expects payback in 2016. Growing franchise enquiries may give some company-specific support. Confirmation of these conditions means we have cut 2015 earnings estimates by 7%.
Year end |
Revenue (£m) |
PBT* |
EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
12/13 |
4.9 |
1.7 |
10.3 |
5.4 |
13.8 |
3.8 |
12/14 |
5.5 |
2.0 |
12.1 |
5.9 |
11.8 |
4.2 |
12/15e |
5.5 |
1.7 |
10.5 |
6.5 |
13.6 |
4.6 |
12/16e |
5.9 |
1.8 |
11.6 |
7.2 |
12.3 |
5.0 |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding intangible amortisation, exceptional items and share-based payments.
Trading July to November 2015
Winkworth advises that its previously market anticipated bounce in the housing market has not materialised, with the sales market being particularly slow in prime central London primarily attributed to the late-2014 stamp duty changes, which saw a significant rise in the tax for properties above £900k. This message is consistent with those reported by other estate agents and is unlikely to have been a surprise. The company expects full year revenues for 2015 to be in line with 2014. Costs reflect continued investment in new projects. Management notes that the Client Services Department has taken longer than estimated to reach break-even. As a consequence, it expects profits for 2015 to be slightly below market expectations.
Outlook: Estimates downgrade
We have cut our 2015/16 revenue estimates by c 4% and earnings by 7% and 12% respectively. The management outlook is that market conditions moving into 2016 are likely to be similar, with stamp duty undermining demand for more expensive properties, but low mortgage rates and wage inflation adding momentum at the lower end of the market. The adverse conditions are putting pressure on smaller agencies, without economies of scale, and Winkworth is reporting a pick-up in new franchising inquiries. It has three offices scheduled to open in the early part of next year, with more under discussion. We view management’s estimated 3-4% growth in the price of Greater London rentals as credible and we expect growth in company-specific rentals ahead of this (payback for investment costs over recent periods).
Valuation: Around fair value
The average of our valuation approaches is now 148p (previously 174p). The reduction in estimates drives down our dividend discount and Gordon’s growth models (to 156p and 159p respectively). The largest valuation fall is in our peer relative rating (from 161p to 129p), with an average c 10% rating reduction compounding the effect of our estimate reductions.
Changes in estimates
We have cut our revenue estimates by 4%, leaving 2015e flat on 2014. With modest diseconomies of scale from lower revenue, we have seen a deterioration in our operating margin. EPS forecasts are down c 10%. The strong balance sheet and earnings cover leaves our dividend unchanged.
Exhibit 1: Changes to forecasts
Revenue (£m) |
Adj pre-tax profit (£m) |
EPS (p) |
DPS (p) |
|||||||||
Old |
New |
Change |
Old |
New |
Change |
Old |
New |
Change |
Old |
New |
Change |
|
FY15e |
5.7 |
5.5 |
(4) |
1.8 |
1.7 |
(7) |
11.2 |
10.5 |
(7) |
6.5 |
6.5 |
0 |
FY16e |
6.1 |
5.9 |
(4) |
2.1 |
1.8 |
(12) |
13.2 |
11.6 |
(12) |
7.2 |
7.2 |
0 |
Source: Edison Investment Research.
Valuation
Discounted cash flow 156p (previously 177p)
We take our 2015/16 forecast operating cash generation (net of investing activities), grow this for a further 10 years at 4% pa and apply a terminal value of 10x the final year. All cash flows are discounted at our estimated cost of equity (10%). This produces a fair value of 156p (previously 177p), of which current cash represents 13%, cash flow in the forecast period 53% and the terminal value 34%. The reduction in 2016 profit estimates drives the lower valuation.
Gordon’s growth model 159p (previously 184p)
We use Gordon’s growth model to capture profitability and growth. Winkworth has low capital requirements and we believe it should generate good long-term returns on equity (we estimate 25%). With the growth and cost of equity assumptions as above, this implies it should trade at a multiple of 3.5x BV. With our estimated end 2016 NAV of 45.1p, this leads to a valuation of 159p (previously 184p). With the cut to estimates meaning 2015/16 forecast ROE is now only in line with our long-term assumptions, we have eliminated the 10% premium we had previously given for superior near-term performance There is a small effect from lower equity.
Peer comparisons 129p (previously 161p)
The share price movements of peers have been poor, falling significantly more than estimate cuts. The resultant lower earnings multiples, combined with our estimate cuts, sees a significant reduction in the peer group average valuation to 129p.
Exhibit 2: Summary of key peer group valuations
|
Share price (p) |
Market cap |
P/E (x) |
Yield |
Dividend |
P/BV |
|
2015 |
2016 |
2014 |
|||||
Winkworth |
142.5 |
18.1 |
13.6 |
12.3 |
4.6% |
1.8 |
4.6 |
MartinCo (franchise mainly lettings) |
164.5 |
36.2 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
5.4 |
Belvoir lettings(franchise mainly lettings) |
119.5 |
36.5 |
17.6 |
14.1 |
5.7% |
1.3 |
3.3 |
Foxtons (London-based) |
177.8 |
501.6 |
14.6 |
13.2 |
6.0% |
1.3 |
3.4 |
Other estate agents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LSL |
310 |
318.6 |
9.5 |
8.4 |
4.3% |
2.8 |
3.6 |
Countrywide |
397.5 |
873.0 |
12.5 |
11.1 |
3.7% |
2.4 |
1.6 |
Estate agent peer average |
|
|
13.5 |
11.7 |
4.9% |
1.9 |
3.5 |
Implied Winkworth price |
Average 129 |
141.9 |
135.2 |
133 |
|
107.5 |
|
Source: Thomson Reuters, Edison investment Research. Note: Prices as at 1 December 2015.
Exhibit 1: Financial summary
Year end Dec (£) |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015e |
2016e |
Total revenue |
3,386,053 |
3,707,543 |
3,978,662 |
4,292,019 |
4,944,922 |
5,495,517 |
5,495,517 |
5,907,681 |
Cost of sales |
(989,800) |
(840,240) |
(843,095) |
(976,348) |
(937,975) |
(950,511) |
(989,193) |
(1,063,383) |
Gross profit |
2,396,253 |
2,867,303 |
3,135,567 |
3,315,671 |
4,006,947 |
4,545,006 |
4,506,324 |
4,844,298 |
Other income |
3,515 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Administration expenses |
(1,532,594) |
(1,758,691) |
(1,944,760) |
(1,982,454) |
(2,347,969) |
(2,704,886) |
(2,967,579) |
(3,131,071) |
Operating profit (loss) |
867,174 |
1,108,612 |
1,190,807 |
1,333,217 |
1,658,978 |
1,840,120 |
1,538,745 |
1,713,227 |
Exceptional (costs) / profit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(277,733) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Group operating profit |
867,174 |
1,108,612 |
1,190,807 |
1,055,484 |
1,658,978 |
1,840,120 |
1,538,745 |
1,713,227 |
Finance income |
2,314 |
2,805 |
10,667 |
16,500 |
32,572 |
86,313 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
Finance Expense |
(474) |
0 |
0 |
(6) |
(18) |
(270) |
(50) |
(50) |
Pre-tax profit |
869,014 |
1,111,417 |
1,201,474 |
1,071,978 |
1,691,532 |
1,926,163 |
1,638,695 |
1,813,177 |
Normalised pre-tax |
869,014 |
1,111,417 |
1,201,474 |
1,349,711 |
1,707,361 |
1,957,822 |
1,670,354 |
1,844,836 |
Tax |
(232,789) |
(313,050) |
(325,042) |
(316,806) |
(417,278) |
(426,147) |
(344,126) |
(371,701) |
Post tax profit |
636,225 |
798,367 |
876,432 |
755,172 |
1,274,254 |
1,500,016 |
1,294,569 |
1,441,476 |
Profit (Loss )attributable to equity holders |
633,972 |
803,981 |
878,334 |
755,172 |
1,274,254 |
1,500,016 |
1,294,569 |
1,441,476 |
O/w Profit (Loss) attributable to minority interests |
2,253 |
(5,614) |
(1,902) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Number of shares (m) |
10.2 |
11.4 |
12.3 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
Basic EPS (p) |
6.2 |
7.0 |
7.1 |
6.0 |
10.1 |
11.8 |
10.2 |
11.4 |
Adjusted EPS (p) |
6.2 |
7.0 |
7.1 |
8.1 |
10.3 |
12.1 |
10.5 |
11.6 |
DPS Declared (p) |
4.9 |
4.3 |
4.6 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.9 |
6.5 |
7.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE SHEET |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
218,430 |
208,965 |
203,437 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Other Intangibles |
136,228 |
203,463 |
894,701 |
1,071,502 |
1,046,350 |
1,092,790 |
952,790 |
796,466 |
Property Plant and equipment |
257,913 |
265,107 |
309,885 |
189,589 |
88,228 |
85,211 |
58,650 |
58,650 |
Financial assets |
7,050 |
7,200 |
7,200 |
7,200 |
7,200 |
7,200 |
7,200 |
7,200 |
Trade and other receivables |
0 |
100,000 |
135,574 |
301,588 |
237,265 |
810,704 |
1,000,000 |
1,150,000 |
Total non-current assets |
619,621 |
784,735 |
1,550,797 |
1,569,879 |
1,379,043 |
1,995,905 |
2,018,640 |
2,012,316 |
Trade and other receivables |
357,831 |
398,320 |
503,535 |
780,699 |
742,371 |
879,558 |
1,200,000 |
1,270,000 |
Cash |
1,412,665 |
1,600,649 |
1,878,306 |
1,597,783 |
2,649,072 |
2,505,487 |
2,669,573 |
3,193,232 |
Total Current assets |
1,770,496 |
1,998,969 |
2,381,841 |
2,378,482 |
3,391,443 |
3,385,045 |
3,869,573 |
4,463,232 |
Asset held for sale |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
50,084 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total Assets |
2,390,117 |
2,783,704 |
3,932,638 |
3,948,361 |
4,820,570 |
5,380,950 |
5,888,213 |
6,475,548 |
Borrowings |
(111,392) |
(92,089) |
(77,447) |
(483) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Trade and other payables |
(458,287) |
(451,361) |
(457,614) |
(486,173) |
(657,502) |
(490,054) |
(550,000) |
(550,000) |
Current Tax liabilities |
(265,652) |
(177,150) |
(153,020) |
(152,323) |
(239,473) |
(182,738) |
(126,842) |
(159,559) |
Provisions |
0 |
(112,000) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total Current Liabilities |
(835,331) |
(832,600) |
(688,081) |
(638,979) |
(896,975) |
(672,792) |
(676,842) |
(709,559) |
Deferred tax liabilities |
(22,200) |
(29,700) |
(34,347) |
(10,092) |
(6,063) |
(6,849) |
(5,773) |
(5,773) |
Total non current liabilities |
(22,200) |
(29,700) |
(34,347) |
(10,092) |
(6,063) |
(6,849) |
(5,773) |
(5,773) |
Total Liabilities |
(857,531) |
(862,300) |
(722,428) |
(649,071) |
(903,038) |
(679,641) |
(682,615) |
(715,332) |
Equity Attributable to owners of company |
1,524,116 |
1,919,502 |
3,210,210 |
3,299,290 |
3,917,532 |
4,701,309 |
5,199,271 |
5,761,315 |
NCI |
(8,470) |
(1,902) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-end no of shares |
11.4 |
11.4 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
12.7 |
Equity NAV per share (p) |
13.3 |
16.8 |
25.3 |
26.0 |
30.9 |
37.1 |
41.0 |
45.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOW |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Cash Flow |
1,083,813 |
1,154,313 |
1,118,136 |
1,154,698 |
2,184,059 |
1,236,895 |
1,418,214 |
1,832,488 |
Net Interest |
1,840 |
2,805 |
10,667 |
16,494 |
32,554 |
86,043 |
99,950 |
99,950 |
Tax |
(121,365) |
(394,051) |
(344,525) |
(341,758) |
(334,157) |
(482,093) |
(375,812) |
(354,012) |
Purchase of intangible assets |
0 |
(100,035) |
(772,744) |
(351,418) |
(141,369) |
(244,732) |
(150,000) |
(138,676) |
Net Purchase of fixed assets |
(115,463) |
(55,739) |
(137,867) |
(22,411) |
(17,474) |
8,200 |
0 |
(5,000) |
Financing |
738,357 |
0 |
947,493 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Dividends |
(465,000) |
(400,006) |
(528,861) |
(659,164) |
(671,841) |
(747,898) |
(828,265) |
(911,092) |
Net Cash Flow |
1,122,182 |
207,287 |
292,299 |
(203,559) |
1,051,772 |
(143,585) |
164,086 |
523,659 |
Opening net cash |
179,091 |
1,301,273 |
1,508,560 |
1,800,859 |
1,597,300 |
2,649,072 |
2,505,487 |
2,669,573 |
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Closing net cash |
1,301,273 |
1,508,560 |
1,800,859 |
1,597,300 |
2,649,072 |
2,505,487 |
2,669,573 |
3,193,232 |
Source: Winkworth, Edison investment research
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