Ernst Russ - Robust results growth

Ernst Russ (ERAG) reported robust results in FY21, with fully diluted EPS increasing fourfold to €0.49 from €0.12 in FY20, as the top line and profitability significantly improved year-on-year. The revenue from shipping increased 117% y-o-y, mostly on the back of a 74% increase in charter rates. The remaining activities of ERAG are being phased down and made up 12% of revenues in FY21 (33% in FY20). ERAG reported its adjusted EBIT margin at 33%, compared to only 5% in FY20.

Ernst Russ - Termination of coverage

Edison Investment Research is terminating coverage on: • 2G Energy (2GB) • Apontis Pharma (APPH) • Artec technologies (A6T) • Beta Systems (BSSA) • Blue Cap (B7E) • Cyan (CYR) • Consus Real Estate (CC1) • Daldrup & Soehne (4DS) • DATAGROUP (D6H) • Datron (DAR) • Delignit (DLX) • Deutsche Börse (DB1) • Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DGR) • Deutsche Rohstoff (DR0) • DVS Technology (DIS) • Edel (EDL) • Ernst Russ (HXCK) • Exasol (EXL) • expert.ai (EXAI/EXSY) • Fashionette (FSNT) • Formycon (FYB)

Ernst Russ - Catching the tailwinds

In H121, Ernst Russ (ERAG) continued its fleet expansion with the acquisition of two multipurpose vessels, bringing the number of majority owned ships to 18. It also sold the Bremen Fund management subsegment, decreasing its assets under management (AUM) in the management services segment, by €0.2bn to €0.6bn at end-June 2021. On the back of robust market environment for container shipping and healthy operational performance, management introduced the FY21 guidance with targeted revenues ranging

Ernst Russ - Specialising in shipping business

Ernst Russ (ERAG) continues to build its position in the maritime business with the acquisition of two ships in December 2020 and another two in February 2021. As a result, it now owns a majority interest in 18 vessels and a significant interest in a further 13. Management expects ERAG’s own fleet to be the main driver of significant improvements in both revenue and operating income in FY21, as it should benefit from robust charter rates. As part of its strategic consolidation in FY20 to focus o

Ernst Russ - Ship utilisation remains high

In H120, Ernst Russ (ERAG) recorded a 39% increase in revenues, mainly driven by the accounting effect of the full consolidation of the Elbfeeder JV, following the acquisition of an additional 2% stake in July 2019. The positive impact from expanding ERAG’s own fleet to 14 vessels, which more than doubled the income in the shipping segment, was partially offset by the disposals of non-core activities as part of streamlining the business. Together with the headcount reduction and other cost-cutti

Ernst Russ - Sailing through the storm

In FY19 Ernst Russ (ERAG) strategically repositioned itself to focus on its investor and asset manager activities in shipping and fund management (particularly real estate). Over the year assets under management (AUM) decreased from €2.9bn to €2.0bn, driven by disposals of non-core business units. Although management expects further improvement in FY20 shipping segment revenue, it is likely to be fully offset by the absence of sold businesses. In light of current adverse markets, it guides to lo

Ernst Russ - Streamlining its operations

Ernst Russ’s (ERAG) strategic process of repositioning to focus on its investor and asset manager activities in the shipping and real estate segments was borne out in the H1 results. Increased debt (although at a broadly stable equity to total assets ratio) was used to accelerate investment in expanding its own fleet through direct and co-investments, as well as for strategic expansion of subsidised housing advisory and investment services. Meanwhile, ERAG sold the business units active in solar

Ernst Russ - Shipping and real estate are growth drivers

Ernst Russ (ERAG) continues to reposition itself to focus on the shipping and real estate segments, while at the same time retaining a focus on cost efficiencies and funding restructuring. However, the weakness in the shipping markets seen in the second half of 2018 (as illustrated by the decline in charter rates) has provided some headwinds. Having said that, these markets seem relatively balanced now. In the real estate area, Ernst Russ was able to conclude a number of successful transactions

Ernst Russ - Market outlook supports further repositioning

Ernst Russ (ERAG) is making steady progress in repositioning as an asset and investment manager and asset investor, with the legacy business representing around 40% of the group’s operations at end-June 2018 compared with 80% in 2016. However, ERAG’s assets under management (AUM) increased only slightly to €6.1bn in H118, as new investments (especially in fleet expansion) were offset by disposals. Management reaffirmed the earlier FY18 guidance of at least 10% y-o-y revenue growth and operating

Ernst Russ - Focus on real estate and shipping markets

Ernst Russ (ERAG) continued its efforts towards a strategic shift, with real estate (revenues grew by c five times y-o-y in FY17) and shipping (sales up 8.1% y-o-y) acting as the key drivers post acquisition. Management guided to modest revenue growth powered by ship and asset management, and real estate but flat operating earnings in FY18 vs FY17 (€3.9m). Due to the previous volatility in shipping markets and lack of immediate earnings momentum implied by current management guidance, ERAG’s mar

Maritime investment solutions

In the past 18 months Ernst Russ (ERAG) (formerly HCI) has been transformed into an investment and asset manager focused on the maritime sector. The 2016 acquisitions of König & Cie, Ernst Russ Reederei and WestFonds have completed the group’s full service ship management offering and built scale in asset management and trustee services. The group’s ability to win new investment and asset management mandates across a range of asset classes should be significantly enhanced, offsetting the drag of

Renold - Strong end to FY24: EPS up 11%. Robust FY25: EPS up 27.6%

The FY24 year-end update is very upbeat signalling trading being materially ahead of expectations, with a better-than-expected profit out turn and stronger cash generation. It continues to strengthen margins through efficiencies and investment in modern equipment. The order book remains close to record levels providing a robust view of future forecasts. In FY24E we upgrade EPS by 11% and in FY25E a significant upgrade of 27.6%. It looks capable of declaring a dividend in FY25 as well as manageme

Morning Note – 16 April 2024

Billington Holdings - Record result boosts dividend; forecasts upgraded

FY23 results show very strong growth over FY22, driven by strong Structural Steel activity, with results slightly ahead of upgraded profit expectations, while stronger than expected cash flow resulted in an unexpectedly generous dividend of 33p (offering a FY23 yield of 7.0%). The group now has net cash of £22.1m and is debt free and is therefore in a strong position for potential M&A activity. Following the recent £90m of new orders to increase the order book to record levels we conservatively

Q1 Operating Results

Another Good Year of Diversified Growth with More to Come in 2024 CCapital have released their Q1 operating results. Overall, revenue has come in slightly lower than expected at $80.2m vs TamE of $85.9m but is largely tracking in line with our FY24 annual estimate and we note the company has maintained guidance. Drilling revenue for this quarter was impacted by a fall in utilisaztion rates as well as general remobilisation geographically but we expect a strong recovery throughout the year as k

Plant Health Care - China distribution with AMVAC

Plant Health Care announced it has signed a distribution agreement with AMVAC, an American Vanguard Company, to support commercialisation of novel fertiliser products incorporating Plant Health Care's Harpinαβ in China starting in 2024. The novel product combines Harpinαβ technology with an AMVAC fertiliser and is expected to help growers improve crop quality and yield as part of an integrated and environmentally responsible crop production programme. AMVAC continues to evaluate Plant Health Car

Morning Note – 15 April 2024

discoverIE - Back to organic growth

discoverIE’s March year-end update confirms a strong operational performance in challenging markets. Following two years when sales increased by +48%, FY 2024 Group sales were +1% ahead of 2023 at CER (reported -3%) driven by a +2% contribution from acquisitions and organic -1%. As expected, organic growth returned in the later part of the year (Q4 +2%, +11% sequentially) and the order book has reverted to normalised levels of c.4.5 months’ sales, which – combined with a continuing strong pipeli

Severfield - Multiple positives should excite investors

Severfield’s trading update indicates that FY23 results are expected to slightly exceed market expectations and the company ends the year with a record UK and Europe order book. Furthermore, with a positive trading outlook and net debt coming in lower than expected, Severfield has announced a £10m share buyback, highlighting the cash-generative nature of the company and management’s confidence in its position. The stock trades on an FY25 P/E of less than 6x and yields 7%, which we believe appear

Warns on brine supply costs

SP Angel . Morning View . Copper prices hold higher as China processing fees fall below $0/t amid low feedstock availability

PROGRESSIVE: Severfield: Targeted acquisition strategy aids growth path

Acquisitions have been an important element of Severfield management’s growth strategy, with the aim of adding new products, sectors and regions to what we have identified as exciting long-term organic opportunities. In this Spotlight report, we focus on the group’s targeted M&A approach, highlighting three significant deals.

LIBERUM: Severfield: Erratum: Better EPS and cashflow, and buyback

Hardman & Co Insight: 2023 was an annus horribilis for Quoted UK Infrastructure and Renewable Energy

The focus of Hardman & Co Research is on the nine quoted Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and on the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs): the stocks analysed are all members of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). We are updating our publication of January 2023, assessing both the lacklustre share price performances during 2023 and the key issues, including interest rates, inflation and power prices. As a 31-strong group, its combined market capitalisation is no

Invinity Energy Systems - Update on Strategic Investment

Invinity’s update on discussions with strategic investors reveals interest from multiple parties. While this has slightly delayed finalising an agreement it increases the potential for a better outcome. Although details are unknown at this stage, we think there is enough in the statement to be comfortable that any agreements will be consistent with the company’s strategy of growing market share in core markets and using a licencing and royalty model in other markets.

Clean and competitive fertiliser