2021 has got off to an encouraging start with the group capitalising on the rebound in the US and Chinese markets. Interestingly, strong momentum was visible in prescription lenses and optical retail and sun business was also back on track. Note that Q1 21 sales reported growth above Q1 19 levels and management is now confident to deliver a FY21 performance at least comparable to pre-pandemic levels. The integration process continued to gain momentum and full-year synergy targets were reiterated
Companies: EssilorLuxottica SA
Sales (at CER) were back in the black in Q4 20, driven by the resilience of the lenses segment and the acceleration in the retail segment, led by e-commerce. Management believes that the business environment will begin to normalise from Q2 21 and, combined with an innovative product pipeline, it has the ambition to deliver a performance comparable to pre-pandemic levels. Importantly, the governance structure is being overhauled and Del Vecchio is set to tighten his grip over the company.
The Q3 beat was driven by the ‘resilient’ lenses segment. Wholesale saw a significant improvement, led by the independent channel, and retail bounced back with optical banners and e-commerce leading the pack. Developed markets returned to positive growth while emerging markets remained a drag. A further acceleration was visible in October but, due to fresh lockdowns, the management remains prudently confident. With optical considered as an ‘essential’ category, the sales impact could be less sev
As expected, Q2 was worse than Q1 with sales plummeting 46.1%. However, revenue hit a trough in April, followed by a marked sequential recovery in May and June. Lenses saw almost flat sales in June, benefiting from pent-up in demand for prescription products and new product launches. Retail is approaching normalcy on the back of progressive improvements in traffic and higher conversion rates. Wholesale is a bit behind, though the progressive recovery of independents and key accounts should provi
Q1 was weak as the solid growth witnessed in January-February was offset by a material decline in March due to COVID-19. Despite the acceleration in online sales, Q2 should be worse. However, considering that c.70% of group sales are exposed to resilient optical prescription products, one could see a pent-up in demand when the situation normalises. Early signs from China have been encouraging and, if the recovery is solid, the board might consider a special dividend, though the FY19 dividend has
FY19 ended on a high with an acceleration in sales in Retail, Wholesale and Sunglasses and a steady show in Lenses in Q4. However, given the COVID-19 outbreak, momentum could lose pace in H1 20. Margins should also remain in check as the benefits of synergies would be reinvested into future growth opportunities. Unfortunately, a fraud at the Thailand plant has brought governance issues at the forefront once again. Nonetheless, a go-ahead for the GrandVision deal should come on time.
EssilorLuxottica witnessed a robust acceleration in sales in Q3 (+5.2% at CER), driven by new product launches in the lenses business, good dynamics in retail (both offline and online) and steady growth in fast-growing markets. However, the wholesale business lost pace due to softer demand in the Asia-Pacific region. Given 9M 19 sales of +4.3% and considering the ongoing launch of the next-gen Transitions lens in other countries, the FY19 sales growth target of +3.5-5% is comfortably within reac
EL is likely to outpace the eyewear/eyecare industry in the mid/long term, driven by a shift towards an integrated network business model and an increasing focus on innovation and digitalisation. Geographically, the fast-growing markets would be a key source of growth, benefiting from a growing middle class. Growth in profits would be higher than sales on the back of operational leverage, favourable product mix and synergies from the mega-merger.
Sales momentum accelerated in Q2 led by lenses, sunglasses and wholesale, though retail saw a deceleration. Given the new product launches, momentum is likely to accelerate further in H2 and thus the FY19 sales targets seem attainable. As anticipated, profitability slumped in H1, due to an increased marketing spend to support new product launches and, given the seasonality of the business, we foresee margin compression on a sequential basis. Note that the EssilorLuxottica integration process has
After putting lenses into frames, EL’s decision to augment the retail presence, particularly in Europe, looks like a strategic move. Given that EL and GV have limited business overlap, the antitrust approvals should be obtained in a timely fashion. Also, the integration process between the French and Italians is now in full swing and the amalgamation of GV should be smooth, given Luxottica has a history of incorporating retail networks. With so much on its plate, the appointment of a new CEO has
EssilorLuxottica is considering a takeover of Dutch eyewear retailer, GrandVision. Although the deal seems a good strategic fit, given GrandVision’s mass market business model and increasing focus on emerging markets, we have concerns with respect to the potential integration of the deal. Anti-trust authorities might also be a spoilsport once again.
A decent Q1 in which Luxottica witnessed acceleration in sales, driven by retail, while Essilor lost pace, due to unfavourable weather in the US. Given the new product launches, which are backed by effective marketing campaigns, Q2 has got off to a good start and we anticipate an acceleration in sales from hereon. Re-activation of the bolt-on acquisition strategy would provide a further push. With FY19 financial targets within reach and synergies now in execution mode, we eagerly await the upcom
As both the French and the Italian groups accused each other of trying to gain the upper hand at EssilorLuxottica’s leadership, the governance crisis has become uglier and the stock slumped c.6% on 21 March 2019 to hit a two-year low. The pain aggravated when the executive chairman of EssilorLuxottica, Leonardo Del Vecchio (also the biggest shareholder of EssilorLuxottica and founder of Luxottica), accused its deputy, Hubert Sagnieres (vice chairman of the new entity and ex-CEO of Essilor) of a
While Essilor witnessed and acceleration in sales in Q4, driven by the Lenses business, Luxottica saw a deceleration, impacted by a slowdown in the retail segment. FY18 profitability was also under pressure and management has provided a conservative outlook for the new entity for FY19. The postponement of the Capital Markets Day is a cause of concern as it once again brings back governance issues at the forefront.
For Essilor, organic sales growth accelerated to 5% in Q3 fuelled by double-digit growth in the Sunglasses business. The Lenses segment also performed well benefitting from robust growth in fast-growing countries and sustained demand in developed markets. The e-commerce activities also witnessed a step-up during the quarter. Given organic sales of +4.3% ytd, the FY18 target of c.4% lfl growth is comfortably within reach. Sales for Luxottica also witnessed an acceleration on the back of strong gr
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on EssilorLuxottica SA. We currently have 2 research reports from 1 professional analysts.
OptiBiotix has reported its final results for the year to December 2020, which are largely in-line with the financials reported with the recent ‘Strategy and commercial update'. 2020 was a strong year for the company as its two operational divisions achieved EBITDA profitability supported by increased commercialisation of the group's product range. This commercial moment has continued into 2021, as the company looks to scale its first-generation product sales with new product lines and new terri
Companies: OptiBiotix Health PLC
Venture Life has announced it has entered into a Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) with Santander UK and Silicon Valley Bank. The funds, of up to £50m, provide leverage to the company's existing cash resources, and will support management's M&A ambitions, following the recent acquisition of BBI Healthcare for c£36m. We remain encouraged by Venture Life actively progressing its overall M&A strategy, which we expect to scale the company and provide operational leverage opportunities to maximise the
Companies: Venture Life Group Plc
As midsummer’s day looms (where has this year gone?), there is greater optimism, in general, than may have been anticipated a few months ago. A post-pandemic, ‘vaccine-driven’ recovery demonstrated by increased consumer spending as lockdown measures are lifted has been one of the catalysts. The FTSE 100 has been range-bound in the last month 6,900-7,100. We have seen a combination of broadly positive company results across a range of sectors, further examples of M&A activity and a sequence of ne
Companies: AMYT ARBB ARW BAG BEG BONH BWNG CWK DNK EML EPWN FBD FA/ GPH GSF GNC HUW IGC INSE KAPE KP2 MMAG NRR NESF OTMP ROL RUA SEN SUR TON TOU TXP TGL VLS WINK
CareTech is a specialist social care and educational services provider. This morning, the group has announced interim results to 31 March 2021, which illustrate another positive six month period, particularly when considering the present wider backdrop. An increase in underlying PBT of 31.6% against the prior year benefited from organic growth, as well as the acquisition of Smartbox, transfer in of The Huntercombe Group facilities and a full period contribution from the Middle East. As reported
Companies: CareTech Holdings PLC
Evgen reported full-year results to 31 March that were c.£0.3m better than expected, with an adjusted net loss of £2.8m resulting in year-end cash of £11.6m (FC est. £11.3m), which provides a cash runway to at least mid-2023. The company continues to progress SFX-01 in glioma (brain cancer) and metastatic breast cancer (mBC) pre-clinical models, with the aim of commencing a Phase Ib/II trial in Q2 2022 (glioma) and potentially a Phase IIb trial in mBC patients who have become resistant to first-
Companies: Evgen Pharma Plc
Further to yesterday's announcement, NetScientific, the international life sciences and sustainability technology investment and commercialisation group, has announced that its portfolio company, PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB), is to issue c.5.3m new shares of common stock to raise gross proceeds of c.$45m. NetScientific currently owns 1,278,000 shares of PDS' common stock, representing 5.7% of its fully diluted share capital prior to the issue.
Companies: NetScientific plc
The UK market showed a continued recovery in the first quarter albeit the indices are still well short of their all-time peaks, unlike many of their international peers. The FTSE 100 has risen by 1,186 points (21.4%) since the end of October and the FTSE 250 by 4,304 points (25.0%). The comparable performance since the start of the year is less spectacular- the FTSE 100 has risen by 253 points (3.9%) and the FTSE 250 has risen by 1,070 points (5.0%). The factors behind the sustained rally are fa
Companies: AMYT ARBB CEG BAG BVC BEG BONH BLVN BRSD CML CWK CRPR EYE ECHO FDM FAR FA/ GPH GSF HUW INSE JDG KAPE KP2 MACF MPAC MNZS NESF NBI OTMP OBD PREM QFI RUA SCS SEN SOS SUR TON TOU TXP TGL TCN UEM VLS WYN
Calnex Solutions has announced record results for FY21 following customer orders up across all product types and within all regions, with FY21 revenue up 31% to £18.0m and adjusted PBT up 43% to £5.1m. Calnex has firmly established a trusted reputation worldwide, launching multiple first to market telecoms and network testing solutions. Calnex continues to accelerate its investment in R&D and expand its product roadmap, adding increased engineering, sales and customer support capacity in order t
Companies: Calnex Solutions Plc
SDI Group has published a second positive trading update ahead of July’s FY21E results announcement. Management’s guidance for revenue and adjusted PBT is approximately £35.3m and £7.4m respectively, ahead of our previous FY21E estimates (and previous guidance) of £34.0m and £6.7m. We upgrade our FY21E forecasts accordingly, with a 10% uplift to our fully adjusted PBT forecast. Current base guidance for FY22E remains unchanged with revenue of £42m and adjusted PBT of £8.7m. Consequently, we are
Companies: SDI Group plc
Trading has strengthened significantly since restrictions eased in April, especially in the UK. UK brand sales are now up 64% YTD (+18% vs 2019). Further distribution gains are being made, including in the USA and online sales have tripled, albeit off a small base. Net cash has increased to £6.6m (Dec’20, £4.9m). Risk appears to lie to the upside vs prudent forecasts. The re-rating looks well supported to us, and we look forward to the H1 update in July
Companies: Warpaint London PLC
There has been a safety halt to the lead human retinal progenitor cell (hRPC) project. The issue was an eye infection in one patient following a successful surgical implantation of the hRPC. The cause is under investigation. If, as we assume, the trial restarts in the next few months, data should be available by Q421, a delay of perhaps three months. This is not significant within the overall developmental pathway and good data are needed to secure any future partnership from mid-2022. The valua
Companies: ReNeuron Group plc
SDL delivered a better than forecast H1, outperforming sales and AOP estimates. Revenues moderated by just 1% to £180.7m, with AOP up 1% to £16.3m. Increased demand from strongly performing verticals (Online Retail, Technology) has offset declining volumes from CV19 impacted sectors (Leisure, Travel, Automotive). KPIs continue to move in the right direction, with ARCV rising 7% y/y, and Linguistic Productive Utilisation stable at 67%. The Group delivered 60 new technology customer wins in H1, an
Companies: RWS Holdings plc
In what the company describe as an “unprecedented year”, Cake Box’s trading update for the year ended 31st March has once again confirmed the potency of the Group’s format and franchise model to us. Total revenues are reported ahead by c16%, supported by an attractive combination of strong organic franchisee growth (24 new sites) and very positive LFL growth (when trading was permitted). Balance sheet strength is also a major virtue, with period end net cash at £3.6m, which is expected to build
Companies: Cake Box Holdings Plc
AVO’s goal is to deliver an affordable and novel PT system, called LIGHT, based on state-of-the-art technology developed originally at the world-renowned CERN. Over the past two years, important technical milestones have significantly derisked the project. Now, AVO is working on the verification and validation phase, prior to LIGHT being used on the first patients to support CE marking. In its recent technical update, the company highlighted progress made over the past three months towards a ful
Companies: AVO ARBB ARIX BBGI CLIG DNL FLTA ICGT OCI PCA PIN RECI STX SPO SCE TRX VTA
Venture Life Group has announced the acquisition of BBI Healthcare, a leading Women's Health and Energy Management/Diabetes company. Venture Life will pay up to £36.0m for the business, which generated revenues of £10.2m and adjusted EBITDA of £2.6m in FY20A. We believe the acquisition will fit well within Venture Life, significantly expanding the group's own brand revenues and providing a number of revenue growth and operational leverage opportunities. The acquisition has been financed by exist
