Transfield Services Limited TSE Tuesday 26 August 2008
Robust growth continues and guidance is for 10% to 20% profit growth
Recommendation: Buy
Investment Rationale The reliable earnings stream brought about by long term and integrated services contracts plus low risk infrastructure projects makes TSE an attractive investment prospect. Services growth stems from renewal of long term contracts, acquisition of new customers and development of relationships in new areas. TSE has an extremely good record of contract retention. Much of the services work carried out is integrated with the customer operations and considered 'mission critical' and is therefore evergreen. A willingness to establish joint ventures increases the chance of gaining work in new areas. The 49% stake in Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund (TSI) provides an income stream through dividends and management fees plus a pipeline of operations and maintenance contracts via the assets in that fund. Event – Strong FY 08 Result as Expected NPAT was $106m pre-amortisation, in line with guidance, on 31% higher revenues of $3.0bn. The result was assisted by acquisitions. Reported FY07 NPAT was $110.4m with income from TSI and its $26.9m sale gains, and an underlying $88.4m implying a 19.9% growth. Organic revenue growth was 15%. Underlying EPS was 53.5¢, up slightly but with a 7¢ ($24.2m) TSI distribution up 13.9% at 60.5¢. Joint ventures contributed strongly, with TSE's share of profit rising $52m from $5m. Commencement of Canadian oil sands asset management work was a major driver. Services Australia EBITA rose 21% to $86m on 12% higher sales and improved margins from 3.9% to 4.2%. North American EBITA increased 72% to $52m, the global total up 33% to $151m with overall 5% margin. EBIT margin increased from 7.0% to 7.2%, reflecting the increased contribution from higher margin US business and improved Australian margins. ROE is a healthy 16%. Franked dividends for the year were up 16% to 36¢ with an 18¢ final. Cash flow was strong. Operating cash flow increased 22% to $216m, comfortably covering capex of $68m. Debt was refinanced in June 2008, a net $584m mainly in US$ matching US acquisitions; interest covered 5.2x. FY08 EBITA split in $m by region: Australia 85.8 North America 51.9 NZ 14.7 Other 4.4 FY08 Revenue $bn by industry: Resource/industrial 1.43 Infrastructure Services 1.20 Property & Facilities Mgt 1.03 Total 3.66, incl. 0.66 JV etc. Impact Guidance was given for NPAT growth of 10-20% in FY09 which sees full year contributions from acquisitions, new alliances (61% of revenue is alliance or cost reimbursable) and the Canadian JV. MD Peter Watson noted that acquisitions are delivering, USM, Horizon and Whelan’s have an integrated facilities management solution, and performance was ahead of expectations in the Canadian oil sands business. Work in hand rose 21% to $11bn, providing strong earnings momentum and a solid foundation for future growth. Recommendation Impact We recommended Accumulate on 28 February at $11.21 and featured TSE in our 18 July Bourse Report at $7.60 as a Buy to $9.00. The result strengthens our positive view. Buy competent growth on attractive fundamentals.
TSE Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held