QinetiQ Group - Unique position

QinetiQ holds a unique position in the global defence market, providing capability generation and assurance in challenging times. The company is working tirelessly with the UK MOD to provide world-class Test and Evaluation (T&E) facilities in the face of a tight budget environment. In addition, it is building its global footprint, leveraging both its technological expertise and global defence budget dynamics.

QinetiQ Group - Progressing as expected

QinetiQ’s strategy is focused on delivering efficiencies for the UK MOD and investing for medium-term growth. The Q3 trading statement reassures that underlying trading is in line with expectations and FY18 guidance is maintained.

QinetiQ Group - Investing for growth

The transformation at QinetiQ continues. The H118 report has demonstrated the contribution from recent acquisitions, the longer-term nature of contracts and the broadening international reach of the company. While the UK defence market is not without challenges, QinetiQ’s strategy is focused on delivering efficiencies for the UK MOD and investing for medium-term growth. Importantly, FY18 guidance has been maintained. We make small adjustments to our FY18 and FY19 estimates.

- Pre-close confounds the doubters

QinetiQ’s pre-close statement continued to show the group’s confidence in the outlook and highlighted that despite fears of UK defence slowdown, order intake was strong in Q2 and revenue under contract is as expected at this stage. With growth in Global Products also confirmed, supported by a combination of organic growth and the contribution from the Target Systems acquisition, both divisions are set to advance. We are therefore maintaining our forecasts and are encouraged by the progress in th

Trading as expected

QinetiQ’s AGM statement reconfirmed the outlook even in an environment that remains uncertain post the UK election. While some order deferrals in EMEA Services have undoubtedly occurred, this was to be expected and management maintains the modest revenue growth expectation for the full year. This suggests confidence that such delays are likely be recovered during the year, leading to a more heavily weighted H2. Global Products’ results are more lumpy and dependent on timing of deliveries but fur

Momentum building

QinetiQ is a business in transformation. It has a new management team, a new campaign based strategy and it is proactively adapting to meet the new defence environment in the UK and US. Solid FY17 numbers saw the first organic revenue growth since 2014, which is encouraging, and management has maintained its expectations for FY18. Underlying momentum is building at the company. Order intake, contract wins and continued organic revenue growth will demonstrate whether or not the new strategy can t

Targeting acquisitions and contracts

QinetiQ CEO Steve Wadey has now got the bit between his teeth and is on a mission to expand the company internationally while exploiting growth opportunities in the core UK business. The recent acquisition of Meggitt Target Systems (MTS) seems to make strategic sense, both industrially and financially. This note introduces our FY18 numbers for the first time. Our new FY17 forecasts reflect the purchases of MTS and Rubikon and the £1bn amendment to the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) with t

LTPA provides visibility and expansion potential

QinetiQ has announced a £1bn, 11-year contract amendment to the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) proving both extended visibility and the opportunity to attract increasing UK and international test and evaluation business. The agreement secures half of the core LTPA revenues at this year’s SSRO profit rates out to 2028, while providing QinetiQ with visibility to invest up to £180m in upgrading the UK air ranges and the Test Pilots’ School at Boscombe Down. This not only secures increased ca

De-risked with investment catalysts

QinetiQ’s July AGM statement highlighted that conditions remain as at the full year results, demonstrating that the group continues to deliver sustainable cash-generative growth. CEO Steve Wadey’s strategy is to drive the core UK business, expand internationally and ensure continued innovation underpinned by a transformation programme to improve customer focus and competitiveness. With c £275m of cash on the balance sheet and further cash generation expected in FY17, the group’s capital allocati

Competitive evolution continues

QinetiQ’s pre-close statement highlighted that the company is on course to achieve full year expectations. In addition to contract wins, the statement also highlighted the key outcomes from the Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) baseline profit rate review. While this provides a level of certainty in the short term, further development of the rate for outer years is yet to be finalised consistent with management’s guidance for a moderation of margins in EMEA Services, as modelled in our for

Steady as she goes

QinetiQ’s pre-close statement highlighted that trading remains solid with order cover as expected in EMEA Services and performance stabilised within Global Products. With the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) and single source contract consultations underway, some decision deferrals continue as expected. However, QinetiQ is less likely to be significantly affected by individual programme decisions than product peers due to its broad service offering. With interims due on 19 November,

Q1 trading in-line, SDSR on the horizon

QinetiQ’s Q1 AGM trading update reiterated the tone of the full-year results with trading in line with expectations and a cautious outlook for FY16. While the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) provides some uncertainty, the government’s pledge to maintain 2% of GDP spending on defence improves the backdrop. With both divisions exhibiting positive signs, supported by in-year order cover (reiterated as at the full-year results), and with the full benefit of the share buyback to come, ou

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

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

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

Morning Note – 16 April 2024

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

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

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

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