Cardiff-based IQE plc (IQE.L) is engaged in the research, development and provision of engineering consultancy services to the compound semiconductor industry. The Company’s segments include wireless, photonics, Infra Red and CMOS++. The Company is the manufacturer and supplier of Compound Semiconductor wafers or epiwafers using a process called epitaxy. Its photonics business enables a range of end applications, from data communications and advanced optical-fibres, to sensors in consumer and industrial applications. It operates through business units, including wireless, photonics, InfraRed, CPV (advanced solar), power switching, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and advanced electronics. It produces atomically engineered layers of crystalline materials containing a range of semiconductor materials, such as gallium, arsenic, aluminium, indium and phosphorous. The Company also has operations in North America, Asia, and Europe.
On March 21st 2017, IQE published FY results to Dec 31st 2016. IQE reported record revenues of £ 132.7m, up 16.4%, with adjusted pre-tax profits up 17.4% to £20.6m. Cash generated grew 7.1% to £22.5m, with fully diluted EPS up 15.4% at 3.0p. IQE said the numbers resulted from a diverse range of growth drivers and end markets, which reflected strong organic growth, supplemented by a currency tailwind in H2. CEO Dr Drew Nelson said good progress within the wireless division in 2016, including continued innovation, new product development and new qualifications, “has strengthened IQE’s strong leadership position in this space and provides a good platform for further growth.”” Our focus on building a strong IP portfolio reflects our vision of global leadership across a range of markets as advanced semiconductor materials become an increasingly important enabler of a wide range of electronics applications. This strategy underpins our strong financial performance, and the exciting outlook we see for our business.”
The growth in IQE earnings and revenues triggered alerts across VectorVest metrics as far back as June 2016, and with confirmation of strong growth at the interim stage in September, the stock appeared on our ‘Aggressive’ growth list. Today, the GRT (forecasted Earnings Growth Rate) for IQE registers at 17.00%, which VectorVest considers to be very good). GRT reflects a company’s one to three year forecasted earnings growth rate in percent per year. In terms of value, the measure of a stock’s current worth, IQE.L has a current value of 74.99p per share. Therefore, it is undervalued at today’s price of 64.00p per share.
The price chart of IQE.L is shown above over a period of three years. The green line study above the price is the VectorVest calculated valuation while the blue line study in the window below the price illustrates earnings per share (EPS). The share is undervalued, growing earnings and trending strongly with increasing upside momentum as shown by the Macd indicator. The price is making a new high while the Macd is also making a new high. This lack of any divergence between the price and the Macd invariably results in further upside.
Summary: As the IQE chart illustrates, IQE has already enjoyed a year of stellar growth. Despite this, key VectorVest indicators show this rate of growth is set to continue, a view underscored backed up by the CEO’s bullish comments at the full year results stage. The trend looks set to continue.
Dr David Paul
May 10 2017
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