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Research: Consumer
Treatt
Written by
Treatt |
Treat(t)ing investors |
Pre-close trading update |
Food & beverages |
11 October 2016 |
Share price performance
Business description
Next events
Analysts
Treatt is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
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Treatt has had an outstanding year as the positive trends in its markets continue to play out. We believe the company is building a strong platform for the longer term and the performance continues to improve as the strategy progresses under the stewardship of Daemmon Reeve. Following the pre-close trading update, we upgrade our forecasts by c 10% at the EPS level to reflect the improved outlook. Our DCF-derived fair value increases to 240p (from 204p), which represents c 10% upside.
Year end |
Revenue (£m) |
PBT* |
EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
09/15 |
85.9 |
8.3 |
12.7 |
4.6 |
17.6 |
2.1 |
09/16e |
88.1 |
9.4 |
14.0 |
4.8 |
15.7 |
2.2 |
09/17e |
92.5 |
10.2 |
15.1 |
5.2 |
14.5 |
2.4 |
09/18e |
96.2 |
10.4 |
15.5 |
5.3 |
14.2 |
2.5 |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.
Impressive growth, strategy delivering
Treatt’s long-term strategy is to deliver consistent, sustainable growth in profit through developing value-added ingredient solutions, coupled with effective cost control. Key to this strategy is improved customer focus and closer relationships, with the ultimate goal of delivering greater profitability by concentrating on the more value-added segments. This latest period clearly demonstrates that this goal is being delivered. As a result of the trading update, we upgrade our full-year forecasts for 2016-18 to reflect the improved outlook. Our sales forecasts move up c 3%, while PBT and EPS increase by c 5%.
Ingredients space remains interesting
Growth in the ingredients space remains higher than average for the consumer sector as consumers demand cleaner labels and healthier products, but will not compromise on taste, and this requires specialist ingredients. Margins are also typically high at the value-added end. Treatt’s ingredient solutions are used both by food ingredients companies in their formulations, and by food and beverages companies directly. Treatt has placed particular emphasis on the beverages space and is becoming increasingly specialised in this space.
Valuation: Attractive ingredients play
We value Treatt using a DCF model and we derive a fair value of 240p (previously 204p), an attractive c 10% upside to the current share price. This is supported by its relative valuation, with Treatt trading at 15.3x and 10.6x calendar P/E and EV/EBITDA multiples for 2016, representing a c 40% discount to its ingredients peer group on both metrics. Given our forecast for a mid-single-digit three-year CAGR EPS for 2016-18, we believe this level of discount is unwarranted.
Forecast revisions
We detail our key changes to our P&L forecasts in Exhibit 1 below. Following the pre-close trading update, we have upgraded our medium-term sales forecasts by c 3% to reflect the improved outlook and expectations of a strong H216, which should provide a solid platform for future years. Our FY16 forecasts increase by only 2.5% as the FX hedging goes through the sales line thus any adverse impact from sterling devaluation affecting the hedging will go through the top line. Improved sales growth should lead to operating leverage. In addition, as discussed above, Treatt’s goal is to continue to concentrate on the more value-added segments and move away from the commodity trading business, hence we have raised our margin forecasts. We have increased our pre-tax profit and EPS forecasts by c 5%.
Exhibit 1: Old vs new key P&L forecasts
EPS* (p) |
PBT* (£000s) |
Sales (£000s) |
|||||||
Old |
New |
% chg |
Old |
New |
% chg |
Old |
New |
% chg |
|
09/16e |
12.1 |
12.5 |
3.3% |
8,330 |
8,663 |
4.0% |
85,934 |
88,082 |
2.5% |
09/17e |
13.0 |
13.5 |
4.1% |
8,959 |
9,389 |
4.8% |
89,371 |
92,486 |
3.5% |
09/18e |
13.2 |
13.8 |
4.5% |
9,118 |
9,594 |
5.2% |
92,946 |
96,186 |
3.5% |
Source: Edison Investment Research. Note: *Stated on company normalised basis, which is pre-exceptional but after amortisation of acquired intangibles and share-based payments.
Valuation update
We illustrate Treatt’s valuation versus its ingredients peer group in Exhibit 2 below. Treatt trades at a significant discount to its peer group on all metrics. Some discount can be applied to reflect its small size and because some of its products are relatively ‘upstream’ in the ingredients spectrum, particularly the bulk ingredients that are sold to other ingredients companies. However, we believe a c 40% discount on EV/EBITDA and P/E is unwarranted.
Exhibit 2: Benchmark valuation
P/E (x) |
EV/EBITDA (x) |
Dividend yield (%) |
|||||
Market cap (m) |
2016e |
2017e |
2016e |
2017e |
2016e |
2017e |
|
Givaudan |
CHF18,107 |
26.3 |
23.6 |
16.4 |
15.7 |
2.9% |
3.2% |
IFF |
$10,938 |
24.6 |
22.7 |
16.1 |
14.9 |
1.7% |
1.9% |
Symrise |
CHF 9,145 |
28.4 |
25.5 |
15.9 |
14.3 |
1.3% |
1.5% |
Frutarom |
ILS11,705 |
24.0 |
20.2 |
16.5 |
13.9 |
0.6% |
0.7% |
Chr Hansen |
DKK51,040 |
36.0 |
31.5 |
23.5 |
20.7 |
1.3% |
1.5% |
Kerry |
€12,264 |
21.7 |
19.6 |
15.6 |
14.0 |
0.8% |
0.9% |
Ingredion |
$9,580 |
19.5 |
18.0 |
10.6 |
9.7 |
1.4% |
1.5% |
Peer group average |
25.8 |
23.0 |
16.4 |
14.8 |
1.4% |
1.6% |
|
Treatt |
£112.1 |
15.3 |
14.3 |
10.6 |
9.8 |
2.3% |
2.4% |
Premium/(discount) to peer group (%) |
-40.8% |
-38.0% |
-35.0% |
-33.4% |
57.0% |
50.9% |
|
Source: Bloomberg (prices as of 10 October 2016). Note: Treatt figures are calendarised to aid comparison.
Our DCF-derived fair value is now 240p (previously 204p) following the changes to our model detailed in our earnings section above (namely an increase in short- to medium-term sales forecast and margin assumptions). Our longer-term sales growth forecast remains at 3.5% pa, falling to 2% growth in perpetuity. Our DCF is calculated based on a WACC of 7.9% (encompassing a beta of 0.8, an equity risk premium of 5.0% and a borrowing spread of 5.0%) and a terminal growth rate of 2%.
Sensitivities
Despite 60% of turnover being exposed to the ‘defensive’ beverage sector, Treatt has a couple of key sensitivities, which it seeks to mitigate through the in-depth knowledge and skill base of its buying team and undertaking an active hedging policy where possible:
■
Commodity exposure: namely citrus oils, which make up c 30% of revenues.
■
Foreign exchange: translation risk on US dollar profits, which it manages through hedging.
Other points of interest
Relocation of UK business
As announced with the H115 results, Treatt has decided to fully relocate its UK head office and manufacturing plant in the Bury St Edmunds area. Discussions with landowners are at an advanced stage now, and we expect an update with the FY results in November. As a reminder, we currently forecast £20m total spend (the guidance is £15-20m), with the majority of the costs in FY17 and FY18.
FX
Although there have been sharp movements in FY16, particularly with sterling devaluation following the EU referendum in the UK, Treatt has a number of hedging strategies in place, including using debt aligned with its business exposure. These mitigate the volatility and adverse movement in currency, particularly at the profit level. The underlying impact of the strengthening US dollar is expected to reduce profits by £0.5m in FY16, but the hedging policies should substantially reverse this figure in Q117.
Earthoil dispute
Treatt had been contesting a £2.3m claim against it related to deferred consideration on the earn-out from the acquisition of Earthoil in 2007-08. The company has now reached final settlement with the sellers, which concludes the dispute. Payment of £0.9m will be made to the sellers. In terms of accounting, £0.7m of this payment will be accounted for as an increase in goodwill, with the balance being treated as an exceptional item in the P&L. We have updated our forecasts accordingly.
Exhibit 3: Financial summary
£000s |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016e |
2017e |
2018e |
||
Year end September |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
IFRS |
||
PROFIT & LOSS |
||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
74,097 |
79,189 |
85,934 |
88,082 |
92,486 |
96,186 |
Cost of Sales |
(56,510) |
(61,218) |
(66,955) |
(68,365) |
(71,413) |
(74,173) |
||
Gross Profit |
17,587 |
17,971 |
18,979 |
19,718 |
21,074 |
22,013 |
||
EBITDA |
|
|
8,360 |
9,068 |
10,307 |
11,488 |
12,557 |
13,233 |
Operating Profit (before amort., except and sbp.) |
|
|
7,141 |
7,846 |
9,063 |
10,020 |
11,015 |
11,630 |
Intangible Amortisation |
(181) |
(172) |
(175) |
(160) |
(160) |
(160) |
||
Share based payments |
(22) |
(46) |
(198) |
(600) |
(671) |
(686) |
||
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Operating Profit |
6,938 |
7,628 |
8,690 |
9,260 |
10,184 |
10,784 |
||
Net Interest |
(651) |
(724) |
(740) |
(596) |
(795) |
(1,190) |
||
Exceptionals |
(1,153) |
(1,402) |
(174) |
(200) |
0 |
0 |
||
Profit Before Tax (norm) |
|
|
6,490 |
7,122 |
8,323 |
9,423 |
10,221 |
10,440 |
Profit Before Tax (FRS 3) |
|
|
5,134 |
5,502 |
7,776 |
8,463 |
9,389 |
9,594 |
Profit Before Tax (company) |
|
|
6,287 |
6,904 |
7,950 |
8,663 |
9,389 |
9,594 |
Tax |
(1,655) |
(1,553) |
(1,786) |
(2,209) |
(2,394) |
(2,446) |
||
Profit After Tax (norm) |
4,835 |
5,326 |
6,537 |
7,214 |
7,826 |
7,993 |
||
Profit After Tax (FRS 3) |
3,479 |
3,949 |
5,990 |
6,254 |
6,995 |
7,148 |
||
Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m) |
51.1 |
51.3 |
51.5 |
51.7 |
51.7 |
51.7 |
||
EPS - normalised (p) |
|
|
9.5 |
10.4 |
12.7 |
14.0 |
15.1 |
15.5 |
EPS - normalised & fully diluted (p) |
|
|
9.4 |
10.3 |
12.6 |
13.9 |
15.1 |
15.4 |
EPS - (IFRS) (p) |
|
|
6.8 |
7.7 |
11.6 |
12.1 |
13.5 |
13.8 |
Dividend per share (p) |
3.7 |
3.8 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
5.2 |
5.3 |
||
Gross Margin (%) |
23.7 |
22.7 |
22.1 |
22.4 |
22.8 |
22.9 |
||
EBITDA Margin (%) |
11.3 |
11.5 |
12.0 |
13.0 |
13.6 |
13.8 |
||
Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%) |
9.6 |
9.9 |
10.5 |
11.4 |
11.9 |
12.1 |
||
BALANCE SHEET |
||||||||
Fixed Assets |
|
|
14,341 |
13,777 |
13,381 |
17,274 |
26,960 |
33,140 |
Intangible Assets |
1,759 |
1,801 |
1,736 |
2,276 |
2,116 |
1,956 |
||
Tangible Assets |
11,718 |
10,994 |
10,998 |
14,351 |
24,197 |
30,537 |
||
Investments |
864 |
982 |
647 |
647 |
647 |
647 |
||
Current Assets |
|
|
38,340 |
43,590 |
45,045 |
44,982 |
47,576 |
49,843 |
Stocks |
23,669 |
28,020 |
25,799 |
27,306 |
29,041 |
30,587 |
||
Debtors |
13,207 |
14,509 |
17,635 |
17,176 |
18,035 |
18,756 |
||
Cash |
1,117 |
629 |
1,477 |
500 |
500 |
500 |
||
Other |
347 |
432 |
134 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
(12,533) |
(16,005) |
(13,481) |
(15,976) |
(21,062) |
(23,587) |
Creditors |
(11,962) |
(12,729) |
(12,675) |
(12,948) |
(13,596) |
(14,139) |
||
Short term borrowings |
(522) |
(2,356) |
(567) |
(3,028) |
(7,467) |
(9,448) |
||
Provisions |
(49) |
(920) |
(239) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Long Term Liabilities |
|
|
(12,754) |
(12,602) |
(11,760) |
(6,310) |
(8,329) |
(9,120) |
Long term borrowings |
(8,889) |
(7,857) |
(7,065) |
(1,514) |
(3,733) |
(4,724) |
||
Other long term liabilities |
(3,865) |
(4,745) |
(4,695) |
(4,796) |
(4,596) |
(4,396) |
||
Net Assets |
|
|
27,394 |
28,760 |
33,185 |
39,969 |
45,144 |
50,276 |
CASH FLOW |
||||||||
Operating Cash Flow |
|
|
9,250 |
3,528 |
8,667 |
12,103 |
10,410 |
11,309 |
Net Interest |
(714) |
(724) |
(740) |
(596) |
(795) |
(1,190) |
||
Tax |
(649) |
(1,552) |
(1,469) |
(2,209) |
(2,394) |
(2,446) |
||
Capex |
(1,433) |
(538) |
(924) |
(4,821) |
(11,387) |
(7,943) |
||
Acquisitions/disposals |
(154) |
(208) |
(103) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Financing |
(56) |
105 |
147 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Dividends |
(1,585) |
(1,899) |
(1,978) |
(2,363) |
(2,492) |
(2,701) |
||
Net Cash Flow |
4,659 |
(1,288) |
3,600 |
2,113 |
(6,658) |
(2,971) |
||
Opening net debt/(cash) |
|
|
12,949 |
8,294 |
9,584 |
6,155 |
4,042 |
10,700 |
HP finance leases initiated |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Other |
(4) |
(2) |
(171) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
Closing net debt/(cash) |
|
|
8,294 |
9,584 |
6,155 |
4,042 |
10,700 |
13,671 |
Source: Edison Investment Research, Treatt data
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