SThree PLC

In Q124 (Dec to Feb), Group net fees were down 6% YoY (all changes at constant currency), reflecting both a strong comparator (with a record level of net fees in Q123) and the ongoing challenging backdrop. The 6% net fee decline would have been 5% excluding restructured businesses.

SThree PLC

In FY23, SThree’s net fees (constant currency) declined by 4%, and although the trading environment remains tough, we note that across the last four quarters it delivered a better net fee performance than the average of the quoted UK recruitment peers (Hays, Page and Robert Walters), reflecting its more defensive profile, especially its focus on Contract (82% of net fees) and STEM sectors.

SThree PLC - Q4 update

Despite a tricky trading backdrop that has not seen any material improvement over the last three months; SThree’s performance has remained consistent. New business remains soft with Q4 showing no material improvement vs Q3, whilst contract extensions / renewals continue to be a source of relative strength.

SThree - Q3 Update

The trading backdrop for SThree through the last three quarters has been consistent; a challenging backdrop for new business, offset by resilience in contract extensions and renewals for the contractor order book. Q3 paints a broadly similar picture although the tone of commentary around new business is more optimistic and we can now see a clear sequential net fee improvement between Q2 and Q3 when we adjust for the offices restructured late last year (Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore).

LIBERUM: SThree: Q3 demonstrates further resilience

SThree - H1 results

H1 results provide more detail, context and a more up to date take on the trading environment following the Q2 trading update. The results lay clear the extent to which SThree has been able to protect margins (unlike others in the peer group) despite the significant investment in the Technology Improvement Programme, which itself lays the ground for future margin outperformance.

LIBERUM: SThree: H1 in line, modest improvement in June

SThree plc

The H1 trading update has confirmed the trends seen in the Q1 update. Contract extensions and renewals continue to outperform initial expectations whilst new business activity remains challenging.

LIBERUM: SThree: Tougher Q2, but Contract resilient

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

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.

PROGRESSIVE: Severfield: Step change in European and Indian outlook

Severfield’s full-year results to March will be ‘slightly above’ the Board’s expectations, according to today’s trading update, with net debt significantly better. We maintain our PBT estimates for both forecast years, which are ahead of consensus, but reduce our net debt for FY24E. Record orders were boosted by the steel specialist’s European operations, after last year’s Voortman acquisition, while the Indian JV has seen ‘another step up in profitability’. The group has also launched its first

Clean and competitive fertiliser