Prodware |
Reshaping the business |
H116 results |
Software & comp services |
13 December 2016 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analyst
Prodware Prodwareis a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
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Prodware is making progress with its strategy to refocus the company on profitable business lines and cloud-based solutions. This is reducing revenues in the short term but should ultimately result in higher recurring revenues and more sustainable profitability. We have revised our forecasts to reflect current trading and the transition to subscription-based revenues. On our reduced forecasts, Prodware continues to trade at a discount to peers; growth in recurring revenues combined with margin expansion should start to narrow this discount.
Year end |
Revenue (€m) |
PBT* |
Diluted EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
12/14 |
174.8 |
9.9 |
1.14 |
0.0 |
6.1 |
N/A |
12/15 |
181.8 |
11.8 |
1.31 |
0.0 |
5.3 |
N/A |
12/16e |
170.0 |
6.9 |
0.73 |
0.0 |
9.5 |
N/A |
12/17e |
175.2 |
6.8 |
0.71 |
0.0 |
9.8 |
N/A |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.
H116 results show weaker demand and restructuring
Prodware reported H116 revenues 7.2% lower than a year ago (5.3% in constant currency), reflecting the disposal of a business, weaker bookings in France and the transition to SaaS-based business. Lower staff costs helped maintain the EBITDA margin, although higher amortisation resulted in a 29% decline in EBIT y-o-y. The Q3 revenue update confirms that while 9M16 revenues declined 7.3% y-o-y, SaaS-based revenues continue to show strong growth.
Estimate changes reflect transition
With the logistical problems that negatively affected demand in France in H116 substantially resolved, the company expects to see better order intake in H216. We have reduced our FY16 and FY17 revenue forecasts to reflect H116 trading as well as the company’s conscious effort to move away from unprofitable business lines. We have also lowered our staff cost assumptions, which reduce the impact of lower revenues on profitability. After factoring in higher net interest expense on the restructured debt, we reduce our normalised EPS forecasts by 51% in FY16 and 63% in FY17.
Valuation: Trading at a discount on all measures
Even after our reduction in estimates, Prodware trades at a discount to peers on all metrics. In our view this reflects its higher gearing and the impact of its transition to a subscription-based business model. While this transition is likely to weigh on profitability in the short to medium term, it should result in a business with a higher level of recurring revenues and more sustainable profitability, and in time should enable Prodware to trade at multiples closer to its peer group.
Review of H116 results
Exhibit 1: Half-yearly results highlights
€m |
H116 |
H115 |
y-o-y |
Revenues |
84.5 |
91.1 |
-7.2% |
EBITDA* |
17.1 |
18.3 |
-6.8% |
EBITDA margin |
20.2% |
20.1% |
0.1pp |
EBIT* |
7.4 |
10.4 |
-29.2% |
EBIT margin |
8.7% |
11.4% |
-2.7pp |
Reported basic EPS (€) |
0.55 |
0.78 |
-29.3% |
Reported diluted EPS (€) |
0.48 |
0.72 |
-33.1% |
Net debt |
53.2 |
32.7 |
63% |
Source: Prodware. Note: *Excludes restructuring costs.
Prodware reported a 7.2% decline in revenues in H116 (a 5.3% decline on a like-for-like basis). Despite the revenue decline, EBITDA only fell 6.8% and the margin was maintained at 20%. While external purchases and goods consumed were higher than a year ago, staff costs were lower. Headcount has reduced over the last 18 months, from 1,424 at the end of 2014, to 1,275 by the end of 2015 and 1,236 by the end of H116. The company expects to maintain headcount at a similar level through H216 and FY17.
During 2015, €14.8m of development costs were capitalised – this higher level resulted in higher amortisation during H116 (+€1.9m y-o-y), which resulted in adjusted EBIT 29% lower than a year ago. The restructuring of the ex-Qurius activities is substantially complete, with only €0.1m charged in one-off expenses in H116 compared to €2.7m in H115.
The refinancing of debt in January 2016 resulted in net finance charges €0.9m higher than a year ago. The tax rate was 7% for H116, lower than our 11% rate for FY16.
The company ended H116 with a net debt position of €53.2m, up from €46.5m at the end of 2015.
Q316 revenue update
On 15 November, the company released Q316 revenue data: revenues declined 7.8% y-o-y to €32.3m (-4.4% in constant currency), with 9M16 revenues of €116.8m (-7.3% y-o-y, -5.1% constant currency).
Business update
Mixed regional performance
Exhibit 2: Revenues by geography
€m |
H116 |
H115 |
y-o-y |
Benelux |
11.87 |
14.65 |
-18.9% |
France & Maghreb |
46.76 |
51.24 |
-8.7% |
Germany |
5.48 |
6.30 |
-13.0% |
Israel |
6.34 |
5.04 |
25.9% |
Spain |
11.65 |
10.28 |
13.3% |
UK |
2.45 |
3.56 |
-31.1% |
Total |
84.55 |
91.06 |
-7.2% |
Source: Prodware
■
France – the company struggled to sign contracts in H116, hampered by the floods and strikes across France. The situation has since improved and new business should be stronger in H216.
■
UK – revenues declined 31% y-o-y. The Waste Management business was sold to NAVISION in March 2016. While the Waste Management solution was sold across Europe, 80% of the revenues were generated in the UK.
■
Benelux – as the business saw lower demand, staff in this region were used in other countries in order to maintain utilisation rates.
■
Spain and Israel – both countries saw good demand for SaaS solutions.
Microsoft cloud-based solution launches
Prodware launched its Microsoft 123 solution in September. This is a Microsoft Dynamics NAV-based solution designed for SMEs, which integrates ERP with CRM, Outlook, telephony, business intelligence and back office functions. It has been designed to be simple to implement and therefore we would not expect adoption of this solution to drive material service revenues. However, it is a SaaS-based solution so could provide an easy way for SMEs to access ERP software and provide a growing level of recurring revenues for Prodware.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 was launched on 1 November. This is a Microsoft Dynamics AX-based solution also designed on a SaaS basis and integrated with Microsoft Office 365. Prodware expects initially to see demand for this in the regions that have typically been interested in SaaS solutions, ie Spain and Israel, and expects a slower uptake in France.
Currently c 87% of revenues are generated from Microsoft-based solutions. The company wants to increase its focus on its Microsoft product range, so we would expect this proportion to increase over time.
Strategy: Focus on profitability and recurring revenues
The company has intentionally walked away from or disposed of business that is not profitable enough, including some hardware contracts and the waste management business. This has resulted in a large drop in revenues, but should have a smaller impact on profits. As Microsoft is heavily promoting its SaaS-based solutions, Prodware is seeing strong growth in its SaaS-based revenues (+31% y-o-y in H116, +44% y-o-y 9M16). As we have highlighted before, this results in lower initial licence revenues but stronger recurring revenues.
To improve the flexibility of the cost base, management plans to keep headcount at the current level, using sub-contractors during busy periods where necessary. The company is centralising purchasing in order to manage administrative costs more efficiently.
Outlook and changes to forecasts
The company sees a stronger order book for H2. We have reduced our revenue forecasts for FY16 and FY17 by 11% and 15%, respectively, to reflect the impact of lower H116 revenues. At the same time, we have reduced our staff expense forecasts to reflect the lower than expected headcount. Overall, this results in a reduction to our EBITDA forecast of 15% in FY16 and 26% in FY17. We have factored in higher net interest expense for both years and reduced the tax rate for FY16 from 11% to 8% to reflect the lower rate in H116. Overall, this results in a 51% cut to FY16e normalised EPS and a 63% cut to FY17e EPS.
Exhibit 3: Changes to forecasts
€m |
FY16e |
FY16e |
Change |
FY17e |
FY17e |
Change |
Old |
New |
Old |
New |
|||
Revenues |
191.22 |
169.89 |
-11.2% |
206.12 |
175.22 |
-15.0% |
EBITDA |
35.16 |
29.93 |
-14.9% |
40.65 |
30.04 |
-26.1% |
EBITDA margin |
18.4% |
17.6% |
-0.8pp |
19.7% |
17.1% |
-2.6pp |
Normalised EBIT |
17.16 |
11.49 |
-33.0% |
20.85 |
11.24 |
-46.1% |
Normalised EBIT margin |
9.0% |
6.8% |
-2.2pp |
10.1% |
6.4% |
-3.7pp |
Reported EBIT |
17.16 |
11.40 |
-33.6% |
20.85 |
11.24 |
-46.1% |
Reported EBIT margin |
9.0% |
6.7% |
-2.3pp |
10.1% |
6.4% |
-3.7pp |
Normalised net income |
12.60 |
6.23 |
-50.6% |
16.11 |
6.04 |
-62.5% |
Reported net income |
12.60 |
5.99 |
-52.5% |
16.11 |
6.04 |
-62.5% |
Normalised diluted EPS (€) |
1.47 |
0.73 |
-50.6% |
1.88 |
0.71 |
-62.5% |
Reported basic EPS (€) |
1.54 |
0.73 |
-52.5% |
1.96 |
0.74 |
-62.5% |
Net debt |
40.49 |
41.61 |
2.8% |
28.31 |
36.16 |
27.7% |
Source: Edison Investment Research
Valuation
On our revised forecasts, Prodware is trading on a modest 9.8x FY17e EPS, at a discount to peers, in our view reflecting its higher gearing and the impact of the business model transition. The revenue decline in FY16 reflects the shift from upfront licensing to subscription licensing, and over time should result in a higher level of recurring revenues. We note that Prodware’s EBITDA margins are within the range of the peer group but EBIT margins are lower, affected by the high level of amortisation relating to recently capitalised development costs. As the company works through its restructuring plan, reshapes the business and starts to pay down debt, we would expect the share price to start to reflect its stronger position.
Exhibit 4: Peer group operating performance
CCY |
Market cap |
Year end |
Revenue growth |
EBITDA margin |
EBIT margin |
|||||||
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
||||
Prodware |
€ |
56.6 |
31-Dec |
4.0% |
-6.6% |
3.1% |
15.1% |
17.6% |
17.1% |
8.5% |
6.8% |
6.4% |
Cegid Group |
€ |
556.5 |
31-Dec |
5.8% |
10.6% |
5.0% |
27.2% |
27.8% |
28.4% |
13.3% |
15.3% |
15.8% |
K3 Business Technology* |
£ |
111.2 |
30-Jun |
7.0% |
9.0% |
3.9% |
14.4% |
16.4% |
17.0% |
10.7% |
12.1% |
12.4% |
Linedata Services |
€ |
326.3 |
31-Dec |
9.1% |
-1.7% |
2.0% |
28.3% |
29.9% |
29.9% |
22.0% |
24.6% |
24.5% |
Sword Group |
€ |
264.9 |
31-Dec |
17.5% |
17.2% |
10.9% |
17.8% |
15.2% |
15.6% |
14.1% |
11.7% |
12.5% |
Source: Bloomberg, Edison Investment Research. Note: Priced as at 12 December. *FY15 = year ended 30 June 2016.
Exhibit 5: Peer group valuation metrics
EV/sales (x) |
EV/EBITDA (x) |
EV/EBIT (x) |
P/E (x) |
Dividend yield |
|||||||||||
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
FY15 |
FY16e |
FY17e |
|
Prodware |
0.6 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
3.8 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
6.7 |
9.0 |
9.2 |
5.3 |
9.5 |
9.8 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
Cegid Group |
2.2 |
2.0 |
1.9 |
8.1 |
7.2 |
6.7 |
16.6 |
13.0 |
12.1 |
23.8 |
20.0 |
18.0 |
2.0% |
2.2% |
2.5% |
K3 Business Technology* |
1.3 |
0.9 |
0.9 |
9.4 |
7.5 |
7.0 |
12.6 |
10.2 |
9.6 |
13.4 |
12.2 |
11.3 |
0.6% |
0.6% |
0.7% |
Linedata Services |
2.0 |
0.9 |
1.0 |
7.1 |
6.8 |
6.7 |
9.1 |
8.3 |
8.1 |
13.0 |
12.9 |
13.0 |
3.1% |
3.5% |
3.4% |
Sword Group |
1.6 |
0.7 |
0.8 |
9.1 |
9.1 |
8.0 |
11.5 |
11.8 |
10.0 |
16.3 |
16.6 |
14.3 |
4.3% |
4.2% |
4.4% |
Source: Bloomberg, Edison Investment Research. Note: Priced as at 12 December. *FY15 = year ended 30 June 2016.
Exhibit 6: Financial summary
€000s |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016e |
2017e |
||
Year end 31 December |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
||
PROFIT & LOSS |
|||||||
Revenue |
|
|
176,397 |
174,824 |
181,828 |
169,893 |
175,223 |
EBITDA |
|
|
28,520 |
27,718 |
27,443 |
29,933 |
30,038 |
Operating Profit (before amort. and except.) |
17,710 |
13,518 |
15,372 |
11,492 |
11,238 |
||
Intangible Amortisation |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Exceptionals |
(5,503) |
(4,589) |
(5,579) |
(89) |
0 |
||
Other |
0 |
172 |
31 |
39 |
0 |
||
Operating Profit |
12,207 |
9,101 |
9,824 |
11,442 |
11,238 |
||
Net Interest |
(3,492) |
(3,635) |
(3,548) |
(4,623) |
(4,457) |
||
Profit Before Tax (norm) |
|
|
14,218 |
9,883 |
11,824 |
6,869 |
6,781 |
Profit Before Tax (FRS 3) |
|
|
8,715 |
5,466 |
6,276 |
6,819 |
6,781 |
Tax |
(47) |
(183) |
(397) |
(546) |
(746) |
||
Profit After Tax (norm) |
14,171 |
9,872 |
11,458 |
6,363 |
6,035 |
||
Profit After Tax (FRS 3) |
8,668 |
5,283 |
5,879 |
6,274 |
6,035 |
||
Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m) |
7.3 |
8.2 |
8.2 |
8.2 |
8.2 |
||
EPS - normalised (€) |
|
|
1.95 |
1.20 |
1.41 |
0.76 |
0.74 |
EPS - normalised fully diluted (€) |
|
|
1.79 |
1.14 |
1.31 |
0.73 |
0.71 |
EPS - (IFRS) (€) |
|
|
1.19 |
0.64 |
0.73 |
0.75 |
0.74 |
Dividend per share (c) |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||
EBITDA Margin (%) |
16.2 |
15.9 |
15.1 |
17.6 |
17.1 |
||
Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%) |
10.0 |
7.7 |
8.5 |
6.8 |
6.4 |
||
BALANCE SHEET |
|||||||
Fixed Assets |
|
|
117,640 |
125,549 |
145,231 |
147,090 |
148,590 |
Intangible Assets |
95,794 |
102,667 |
124,206 |
127,146 |
129,646 |
||
Tangible Assets |
8,722 |
9,279 |
7,645 |
6,564 |
5,564 |
||
Investments |
13,124 |
13,603 |
13,380 |
13,380 |
13,380 |
||
Current Assets |
|
|
92,192 |
98,356 |
81,834 |
126,507 |
127,637 |
Stocks |
1,698 |
2,021 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
||
Debtors |
81,579 |
90,894 |
72,637 |
73,681 |
75,360 |
||
Cash |
8,915 |
5,441 |
9,062 |
52,826 |
52,276 |
||
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
(86,198) |
(85,242) |
(75,162) |
(80,776) |
(83,371) |
Creditors |
(67,715) |
(68,389) |
(56,872) |
(57,182) |
(59,777) |
||
Short term borrowings |
(18,483) |
(16,853) |
(18,290) |
(23,594) |
(23,594) |
||
Long Term Liabilities |
|
|
(28,100) |
(33,877) |
(41,423) |
(74,966) |
(68,966) |
Long term borrowings |
(24,505) |
(29,760) |
(37,295) |
(70,838) |
(64,838) |
||
Other long term liabilities |
(3,595) |
(4,117) |
(4,128) |
(4,128) |
(4,128) |
||
Net Assets |
|
|
95,534 |
104,786 |
110,480 |
117,855 |
123,890 |
CASH FLOW |
|||||||
Operating Cash Flow |
|
|
22,611 |
13,485 |
34,889 |
29,565 |
29,408 |
Net Interest |
(3,132) |
(2,895) |
(2,768) |
(3,662) |
(3,657) |
||
Tax |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Capex |
(20,552) |
(20,951) |
(37,390) |
(20,314) |
(20,300) |
||
Acquisitions/disposals |
(597) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Financing |
9,598 |
4,130 |
(57) |
(450) |
0 |
||
Dividends |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(245) |
0 |
||
Net Cash Flow |
7,928 |
(6,231) |
(5,326) |
4,895 |
5,451 |
||
Opening net debt/(cash) |
|
|
42,001 |
34,073 |
41,172 |
46,523 |
41,606 |
HP finance leases initiated |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Other |
0 |
(868) |
(25) |
22 |
0 |
||
Closing net debt/(cash) |
|
|
34,073 |
41,172 |
46,523 |
41,606 |
36,156 |
Source: Prodware accounts, Edison Investment Research
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Research: Industrials
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