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Atlantic View – Has StageCoach (SGC) turned the Corner?
by John Woolfitt, Atlantic Capital Markets
Has StageCoach turned the Corner?
Fundamentals & Statement Summary
Britain’s biggest bus and coach operator Stagecoach (LON: SGC) employs around 25,000 people and operates more than 8,300 buses, coaches and trams across operations in England, Scotland and Wales, plus the Supertram light rail network in Sheffield.
In its preliminary results statement today, SGC reported adjusted pre-tax profits to May 2nd 2020 had fallen to GBP90.9m from GBP132.9m previously, on revenues of £1.41bn, down from £1.87bn previously. SGC highlighted an adjusted EPS of 13.5p (2019: 22.1p), while the statutory EPS of 6.4p (2019: 3.8p) reflected non-recurrence of prior year charges relating to the impairment and disposal of the discontinued North America business. On the COVID crisis, SGC said that management actions and the continuing support of government should ensure the group remains EBITDA positive and poised to benefit from any new opportunities.
Significantly, SGC pointed out a substantial warchest of available liquidity, with over £800m of undrawn, committed bank facilities and available cash/deposits. Added to this, regional bus revenue trends were improving pre-COVID, plus SGC has embarked on growth initiatives and diversification to balance the portfolio and open up new markets. As a result, the group has been shortlisted to bid for two Dubai bus contracts, plus one rail and four bus opportunities in Sweden. SGC also are at the forefront of sustainability and green initiatives, and are nearing completion of a new sustainability strategy with a roadmap to a zero carbon business.
CEO Matthew Griffiths said SGC had “achieved a creditable set of financial results in what has been one of the most challenging and sobering periods for citizens, communities and economies across the globe in living memory.”
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was on track to meet its expectations for the full year. We made good progress in delivering on our three key strategic objectives: to maximise our core business potential, manage change through our people and technology, and grow by diversifying, while maintaining our relentless focus on safety and customer service. In responding to the more recent global challenges, we have taken decisive action so that the business remains in as strong a position as possible and well placed to secure the significant long-term opportunities we see for public transport.
Griffiths also pointed to the supportive short-term actions by government and local authority partners, which “have helped protect public transport networks, which are critical to the country. We have also been encouraged by the good momentum created by the positive direction of government bus policy and investment.”
Chart and Technicals
Source: FactSet and Hargreaves Lansdown
As with all stocks during Q1 2020, SGC suffered the inevitable ‘Covid cliff fall’, with group shares falling 2/3rds in value from January to February 2020. A series of ‘false dawns’ since that point resulted in SGC shares briefly regaining the 50-day moving average, currently at 61p, before dropping back again. If the stock can regain the 50-day moving average on an end of week close basis, in a recovering market we would expect SGC shares to regain the benchmark 200-day moving average (purple indicator), currently at 111p, by the end of Q3 2020.
Summary and Atlantic View
Many may take the view that a public transport company offers few if any prospects as an investment. While this may have been true in the past for some of transport operators, our view is that despite the COVID-19 impact on travel, the Government continues to press ahead with initiatives to encourage the general public to reduce carbon emissions by using ‘green’ buses and trains. Stagecoach, and its fleet of green buses and trains are very much at the forefront of this push to zero emissions, and as such we believe the group will continue to receive strong support from Government at National and Local level. With shares now trading at 10 year + lows, new contract shortlists, and with a strong financial position and warchest, Atlantic are backing the shares to ‘turn the corner’ and recover to £1 by the end of Q3 2020 with a ‘Speculative Buy’ rating. An extra incentive is also on offer from this investment ‘vehicle’. Stagecoach also stated in today’s results that “it is our ambition to resume dividend payments in due course.” Atlantic rating: Speculative Buy.
To take advantage of this trading idea, speak to a member of our dealing team on 01872 229000 or visit the Atlantic Capital Markets website here
Alan Green discusses Gfinity #GFIN, ECR Minerals #ECR & On The Beach #OTB on the Vox Markets podcast
Alan Green discusses Gfinity #GFIN, ECR Minerals #ECR & On The Beach #OTB with Justin Waite on the Vox Markets podcast
Atlantic Capital Markets Month Ahead – July 2020
Alan Green talks to John Woolfitt, Director at multi award winning broking and investment firm Atlantic Capital Markets. John looks forward to the coming month, and discusses US job numbers, Boris and Build Build Build, and the raft of UK job cuts. He then discusses ‘Covid’ stocks, including Novacyt #NCYT, upcoming key corporate announcements for July, including Royal Dutch Shell #RDSB and Hutchison China Meditech #HCM and trading ideas from the Atlantic dealing floor. John finishes with a recap on key points and trading ideas to help traders and investors in July.
Alan Green talks markets, On The Beach #OTB, Mirriad #MIRI and ECR Minerals #ECR on UK Investor Mag podcast
Alan Green discusses markets, On The Beach #OTB and the Atlantic Capital Markets note, Mirriad #MIRI and ECR Minerals #ECR with Jonathan Roy on the UK Investor Mag podcast.
Atlantic View – Time To Go Back To The Beach In Spite of Covid-19?
by John Woolfitt, Atlantic Capital Markets
Time To Go Back To The Beach In Spite of Covid-19?
Fundamentals & Statement Summary
With over 20% share of online sales in the short haul beach holiday market, On The Beach (LON: OTB) are one of the UK’s largest online beach holiday retailers. The group’s long-term mission to become Europe’s leading online retailer of beach holidays is fuelled by significant opportunities for growth on the back of innovative technology, low-cost base and a strong customer-value proposition.
On Tuesday June 30th, OTB announced interim results for the 6 months to March 31st, and said that prior to the escalation of COVID-19 in Europe, it had been trading well. In the first four months of FY20 and following the collapse of the Thomas Cook Group, OTB priced its offerings competitively, and saw total holiday sales grew by 29% for Summer 2020 departures. H1 revenue of £21.4m was down 66% on prior year due to COVID-19 related cancellations, with adjusted PBT down £13.4m to £2.3m due to a significant reduction in demand from mid-February when COVID-19 began to spread to Europe. Net debt of £13m excludes £68.8m 
of customer monies held in a ring-fenced trust account, and following a successful share placing on 22 May 2020, the group cash position was £50.5m, plus a £75m RCF facility which, at 31 May 2020, remained undrawn.
CEO Simon Cooper commented on the excellent progress in the first four months of the financial year, with the Thomas Cook collapse “driving record levels of brand awareness and achieving sales growth of almost 30% for holidays departing in Summer 2020.“
He added “The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid slowdown in demand for foreign travel followed by the total closure of airspace across Europe by mid-March. Our staff responded brilliantly to ensure that the Group delivered the highest possible customer service standards in the most difficult of circumstances”….”The flexibility and asset light nature of our business model together with our recently strengthened balance sheet and the actions we have taken since the middle of March means we are well placed to capitalise on the inevitable structural changes in the market post COVID-19. As a result, the Board continues to look to the future with confidence.”
Chart and Technicals
Source: FactSet and Hargreaves Lansdown
The inevitable ‘Covid cliff fall’ that characterises the charts of many stocks at present started at the end of February 2020, with the group losing 66% of its value during the following 25 or so days. A strong recovery during March saw OTB shares regain the 50-day moving average, currently at 290p, which it has held onto since April 16th. Provided the stock continues to hold the 50-day moving average, there is every reason to expect OTB shares to regain the benchmark 200-day moving average (purple indicator), currently at 358p, by the end of July 2020.
Summary and Atlantic View
While some may view OTB as a contrarian trade, our dealing team are attracted to OTB’s resilient performance before and during the COVID-19 crisis. The group responded strongly and took full advantage of the Thomas Cook collapse, leading to 30% growth in summer holiday sales pre-Covid, largely due to its innovative business model and low cost base. Added to this OTB have a strong cash position, boosted by strong shareholder support for the May 2020 placing. In summary, Atlantic Capital Markets are backing a long trade position on OTB, governed very much by the technical picture (358p initial target), and while the uncertain backdrop warrants running a tight stop loss, we are of the view that OTB is better placed than its peers to grow market share as the world starts to move again. In this case, it is time to go back to the beach!
To take advantage of this trading idea, speak to a member of our dealing team on 01872 229000 or visit the Atlantic Capital Markets website here