Greggs — Recovering better than expected

Greggs (LSE: GRG)

Last close As at 15/04/2024

GBP27.96

40.00 (1.45%)

Market capitalisation

GBP2,860m

More on this equity

Research: Consumer

Greggs — Recovering better than expected

Gregg’s trading update indicates a strong rebound in trading since the re-opening of non-essential retail in April 2021, with positive like-for-like (LFL) sales growth versus FY19, which is earlier than we had expected. This is significant as it has been achieved despite not operating at full potential (ie reduced SKUs, shorter opening hours and other social distancing measures) and competition has been more limited, though both will normalise in coming months. With strong cost controls, including temporary benefits, the board believes that FY21 profits could be around 2019 levels in the absence of further restrictions. We upgrade our FY21 PBT forecasts by 64%, due to a less pessimistic LFL sales assumption.

Russell Pointon

Written by

Russell Pointon

Director, Consumer

Consumer

Greggs

Recovering better than expected

Trading update

Retail

11 May 2021

Price

2,449p

Market cap

£2,484m

Net debt (£m) at 2 January 2021 (ex IFRS 16 liabilities)

36.8

Shares in issue

101.4m

Free float

100%

Code

GRG

Primary exchange

LSE

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

4.6

11.2

47.5

Rel (local)

1.1

1.5

18.6

52-week high/low

2,581p

1,119p

Business description

With 2,101 shops, and eight manufacturing and distribution centres, Greggs is the leading UK ‘food-on-the-go’ retailer. It uses vertical integration to offer differentiated products at competitive prices.

Next events

H121 results

3 August 2021

Q321 results

5 October 2021

Analysts

Russell Pointon

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Sara Welford

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Greggs is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Greggs’ trading update indicates a strong rebound in trading since the re-opening of non-essential retail in April 2021, with positive like-for-like (LFL) sales growth versus FY19, which is earlier than we had expected. This is significant as it has been achieved despite not operating at full potential (ie reduced SKUs, shorter opening hours and other social distancing measures) and competition has been more limited, though both will normalise in coming months. With strong cost controls, including temporary benefits, the board believes that FY21 profits could be around 2019 levels in the absence of further restrictions. We upgrade our FY21 PBT forecasts by 64%, due to a less pessimistic LFL sales assumption.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/19

1,167.9

114.2

89.7

11.9

27.3

1.9

12/20

811.3

(12.9)

(12.1)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/21e

1,166.0

106.5

85.2

20.0

28.7

0.8

12/22e

1,266.7

119.2

97.8

39.1

25.0

1.6

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Positive two-year LFL growth earlier than expected

In the eight weeks to 8 May, Greggs’ two-year LFL sales declined by 3.9%. Significantly, the decline includes positive growth since non-essential retail was allowed to re-open from 12 April, representing a major improvement from the 23.3% decline for the first 10 weeks of FY21. Sales benefitted from the post-lockdown pent-up demand that drove footfall to the high street, and much of Greggs’ competition not re-opening to trade, yet. As these normalise, Greggs expects two-year LFL growth is likely to revert to ‘negative’ for the remainder of FY21, albeit much less negatively than previously expected. FY21’s profitability is helped by temporary (£20m, including business rates relief and VAT changes) or semi-permanent (£10m, overhead reductions and logistics) cost savings, the former will restrain profit growth in FY22. Delivery at 8.2% of company managed sales in the recent eight weeks is a slight decline from 9.6% (first 10 weeks), as might be expected given greater consumer mobility, but importantly, management believes this is mostly incremental growth, implying greater medium-term earnings capacity than previously.

FY21: PBT upgraded by 64%

We upgrade our PBT forecast for FY21 by 64% to £106.5m, which includes a less negative two-year LFL decline assumption of 2% for the remainder of FY21 versus a 15% decline previously. The resulting clean PBT of £106.5m compares with FY19’s £114.2m. We have upgraded our FY22 PBT estimate by 15% to £119.2m.

Valuation: Share price near all-time high

The share price has performed well and is near its all-time high. The EV/sales multiple of 2.1x and P/E multiple of 28.7x are broadly in line with prior non-COVID-affected peak multiples of 2.1x and 27.6x reached in FY19.

Exhibit 1: Financial summary

£m

2018

2019

2020

2021e

2022e

Year-end December

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

PROFIT & LOSS

Revenue

 

 

1,029.3

1,167.9

811.3

1,166.0

1,266.7

Cost of Sales

(373.5)

(412.2)

(299.6)

(416.8)

(447.7)

Gross Profit

655.9

755.7

511.7

749.2

819.0

EBITDA

 

 

145.7

231.9

115.4

227.4

241.8

Operating Profit (before amort. and except.)

 

 

89.8

120.7

(6.2)

113.0

125.7

Intangible Amortisation

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Exceptionals

(7.2)

(5.9)

(0.8)

0.0

0.0

Operating Profit

82.6

114.8

(7.0)

113.0

125.7

Net Interest

(0.0)

(6.5)

(6.7)

(6.5)

(6.5)

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

89.8

114.2

(12.9)

106.5

119.2

Profit Before Tax (FRS 3)

 

 

82.6

108.3

(13.7)

106.5

119.2

Tax

(18.2)

(22.4)

0.7

(20.2)

(20.3)

Profit After Tax (norm)

71.6

91.8

(12.2)

86.3

99.0

Profit After Tax (FRS 3)

65.7

87.0

(13.0)

86.3

99.0

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

100.7

100.8

101.0

101.2

101.2

EPS - normalised fully diluted (p)

 

 

70.3

89.7

(12.1)

85.2

97.8

EPS - (IFRS) (p)

 

 

65.3

86.3

(12.9)

85.2

97.8

Dividend per share (p)

35.7

11.9

0.0

20.0

39.1

Gross Margin (%)

63.7

64.7

63.1

64.3

64.7

EBITDA Margin (%)

14.2

19.9

14.2

19.5

19.1

Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%)

8.7

10.3

(0.8)

9.7

9.9

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

347.5

646.5

631.0

641.6

670.4

Intangible Assets

16.9

16.8

15.6

14.9

14.3

Tangible Assets

330.5

353.7

345.3

356.6

386.0

Right-of-Use Assets

0.0

272.7

270.1

270.1

270.1

Other

0.2

3.3

0.0

0.0

0.0

Current Assets

 

 

140.6

142.3

98.7

204.9

253.7

Stocks

20.8

23.9

22.5

24.5

26.3

Debtors

31.6

27.1

39.4

31.9

34.7

Cash

88.2

91.3

36.8

148.4

192.7

Other

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Current Liabilities

 

 

(145.1)

(208.7)

(144.1)

(190.0)

(200.2)

Creditors

(136.4)

(154.1)

(91.1)

(137.0)

(147.2)

Leases

0.0

(48.8)

(48.6)

(48.6)

(48.6)

Short term borrowings

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other

(8.7)

(5.8)

(4.4)

(4.4)

(4.4)

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(13.8)

(233.3)

(264.0)

(261.7)

(261.7)

Long term borrowings

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Leases

0.0

(226.9)

(243.1)

(243.1)

(243.1)

Other long term liabilities

(13.8)

(6.4)

(20.9)

(18.6)

(18.6)

Net Assets

 

 

329.2

346.8

321.6

394.7

462.2

CASH FLOW

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

152.2

246.0

61.6

279.6

251.4

Net Interest

0.2

(6.3)

(5.9)

(6.3)

(6.1)

Tax

(16.1)

(20.3)

(10.7)

(20.2)

(20.3)

Capex

(64.9)

(87.7)

(59.8)

(73.0)

(93.0)

Acquisitions/disposals

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Equity financing

5.3

4.9

3.7

3.7

3.7

Dividends

(33.1)

(72.1)

0.0

(20.3)

(39.6)

Borrowings

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other

(9.9)

(61.4)

(43.4)

(51.9)

(51.9)

Net Cash Flow

33.7

3.1

(54.5)

111.6

44.3

Opening cash

 

 

(54.5)

(20.8)

(17.7)

(72.2)

39.4

Other

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Closing cash

 

 

(20.8)

(17.7)

(72.2)

39.4

83.6

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

(88.2)

(91.3)

(36.8)

(148.4)

(192.7)

Closing net debt/(cash) including leases

 

 

(88.2)

184.4

254.9

143.3

99.0

Source: Company accounts, Edison Investment Research


General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Greggs and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Greggs. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: 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 and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, 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. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2021 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

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Edison 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. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Greggs and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Greggs. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: 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 and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, 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. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2021 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison 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. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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