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

Supreme (SUP LN) - Record performance, EBITDA ~doubled

Supreme’s FY24 trading update confirms a record performance in the 12 months to 31 March 2024. Organic revenue and profit growth across all four divisions has driven Group revenue +45% YOY to £225m, with FY24 adj. EBITDA almost doubling to ‘at least £38m’, driving record levels of cash generation. Supreme is actively exploring complementary M&A, supported by a debt free balance sheet. Trading on an undemanding FY25 PE of just 6.7x, with a 3.4% yield, we believe downside risks are more than price

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Vianet Group: FY24 trading update, strategic contract win

Vianet has published a positive trading update for FY24 with turnover up 7.6% to £15.18m, a 3.5 percentage point increase in gross margin YoY, and adjusted EBITA ahead of market expectations. Net debt continues to fall and closed FY24 at £1.52m (£2.1m at 30 September 2023), demonstrating strong free cash flow generation, even without the benefit of the £0.9m tax receipt received in 1H24, which augers well for a final dividend. The company reported a new contract with Wilcomatic Wash Systems, the

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Vianet - FY24 ahead, strategic forecourt customer win

Vianet’s FY24 trading update shows FY24 revenue +1% ahead of our previous forecast, adjusted EBITA +2% ahead, EFCF and net debt +£0.6m ahead, and a strategic new customer win with prominent forecourt operator Wilcomatic. A robust FY25 pipeline and outlook leads us to reiterate our FY25E forecasts at this point, with the update highlighting: strong progress renewing and winning new customers on 3-5 year contracts as they migrate from 3G to Vianet’s advanced 4G LTE solutions; the successful integr

Headlam Group - Strategy for growth in tougher market

Headlam Group has laid out an ambitious long-term revenue target of between £900m and £1bn, as it seeks to grow its share of the UK floor coverings distributor market. Despite a challenging backdrop due to the low level of residential housing transactions, management is seeking to expand each of its sales channels: Trade Counters, Larger Customers, Regional Distribution and Europe & Other. The FY23 results reflected the more challenging environment and the group trades at a discount to its long-

Norcros (NXR LN) - Sale of Johnson Tiles UK streamlines the business and improves operating margin

Norcros has announced the sale of its Johnson Tiles UK business to the current management team for a consideration of £1.0m, with a further modest earnout based on the equity value of the business, both payable in April 2028.

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

Renewi - Solid trading and better cash generation

Renewi’s FY24 trading update was in line with management’s expectations and its improved cash generation is reassuring for investors. Attention is now likely to turn the strategic review of the UK Municipals with management stating that they remain on track to update markets by the end of June. This could lead to an exit of key liabilities and leave Renewi as an attractive circular economy investment with strong market positions and organic growth plans, which should assist in generating value,

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