SKE went through an even worse period during the GFC where receivables got even worse than the 2007/08 figures.
I agree that receivables performance is not great and would be very disappointing if the improvements seen to date are not extended in this past half. I am seeing it as a turning point. Please feel free to give the CFO a slap on my behalf when you talk.
(I think your 25% figure is wrong, maybe derived from 1/2 year revenue, not full year? Or maybe I have the wrong end of the stick. The measure I use is Debtor days outstanding)
I am using the most recent figures (once again on the back of my envelope)
Dec half 2010 Rev: $905 mil AR: $240 mil DD: 47.7 days
Dec half 2011 Rev: $932 mil AR: $230 mil DD: 44.4 days
I would expect to see continuing improvement as 44 debtor days outstanding is still pretty awful.
SKE Price at posting:
$2.29 Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held