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Ian Pollard: Stagecoach Pleased With Operating Loss of £6.2m (Unadjusted)
Stagecoach Group plc SGC is pleased to report positive half-year financial results, ahead of expectations, at least according to the Chief Executive, David Griffiths. These included a total unadjusted operating loss of £6.2m compared to a profit of £114.8m profit for 2018, which may lead the more cynical to comment that some people are easily pleased. Virgin Rail did produce a strong profit in the six months to the 27th October but a statutory loss of 5.5p per share compares with last years first half earnings per share of 13.6p. Not surprisingly the interim dividend remain unchanged. Encouraging results have been delivered at the UK regional bus business, together with high customer satisfaction. The above forecast rail earnings have enabled increased expectations for full-year adjusted earnings per share.
Wood Group plc WG has been awarded a $43 million (USD) contract by a large-cap midstream US company to construct 80 miles of steel pipeline in west Texas. This is a strategic pipeline for the US and a milestone project for the company.
Versarian plc VRS is delighted to have entered into an MOU with a subsidiary of a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited (“CRG”).one of the world’s largest construction and engineering contractors. The cooperation is intended to explore the applications for graphene, which are specific to CTCE’s needs. IT is envisaged that CTCE will provide funding for any manufacturing venture in a structure to be agreed.
Image Scan Holdings IGE after rapid growth in both sales and profits between 2015 and 2017 the year to the 30th September proved to be a disaster. Sales fell from £5m to £3.5 and profit before tax slumped from £480,000 to £90,000 as the company was impacted by exceptional costs associated with the an aborted acquisition and a decline in portable X-ray orders .However the order pipeline is strong, the team has been strengthened and research and development has been refocused with the aim of returning to the growth of previous years.
Brave Bison Grp plc BBSN reports it is on track for a year of real progress in 2018. Trading is ahead of management expectations with an improved financial performance, revenues growing and full-year EBITDA3 positive for the first time since the Group came to market in 2013, as well as expectations of cash flow being positive. In October the company was named as the world‘s second-biggest digital media publisher for views and consistently in the top 10 during 2018. The shares are so far responding well in early trading this morning.
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BHP – 2017 Dividends Increased by 177%
BHP Billiton BHP benefited in 2017 from a substantial reduction in exceptional losses which fell from $6.4b in 2016 to $842m. as the Samarco dam failure in Brazil weighed less heavily on the company. The year to the 30th June turned out to be a very strong financial year with free cash flow at $12.b., the second highest on record and net debt down by 37%. On an underlying basis, EBITDA rise by 64%, basic earnings per share by 455% and attributable profit multiplied from $1.2b to $6.7b. Having laid the foundations over the past five years to improve return on capital and grow shareholder value, the momentum will continue into 2018 with volume growth of 7% expected, as well as further productivity gains.
Accordingly shareholders receive their reward with dividends for the year increased by 177% to a total of 83 cents per share.
Wood Group (John) plc WG had a mix of both robust and weaker performances across its businesses in the 6 months to the 30th June. Total revenue declined by 11% but profit was down by 86% and basic earnings per share by 89.0%. The interim dividend is increased cautiously by 3%.
Empresario Group EMR produced a record first half performance with revenue rising by 50% at constant exchange rates and adjusted profit before tax up by 24% or 12% at constant exchange rates. The company has successfully integrated its two acquisitions into the business and see them both offering further opportunities for growth.
Sareum Holdings SAR expects that profit for the year to 30th June and cash at the bank will be ahead of market expectation.
Proactis Holdings plc PHD expects to see a 31% rise in revenue for the year to 31st July, with EBITDA up 43% and profit before tax rising from 3.1m to 5.3m
Quantum Pharma plc QP Revenue for the half year to the 31st July rose by 13% following a strong performance from Niche Pharmaceuticals. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 23% and statutory operating prfit by 74% whilst net debt halved to 11.9m.
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Corporate news review Tuesday 15th August 2017
Hargreaves Lansdown HL. reports net FY new business of £6.9bn, AuA up 28% to £79.2bn and active clients up 118k to 954k. PBT is up 21% to £265.8m, and HL raises its dividend by 20% to 29p per share.
John Menzies MNZS says it has enjoyed a positive first half, with underlying PBT up 36% to £24.7m and a proposed 11% increase in the interim dividend to 6p. Chairman Dr Dermot F. Smurfit said: “Overall, I am very pleased with the Group’s performance in the first half and we look to the future with confidence as demonstrated by the increased dividend payment.”
Mears Group MER reports interim results in line with management expectations, with revenue up 1% to £470.8m.
Plant Impact PIM publishes the first presentation on its R&D platform and pipeline. The full presentation can be found at www.plantimpact.com/investors.
Rockhopper Exploration RKH updates on the Abu Sennan drilling concession, onshore Egypt, in which the Company has a 22% working interest. Production from the six fields within the Abu Sennan concession remains stable, averaging 3,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“boepd”) gross during the first six months of 2017. The group also updates on the Al Jahraa-9 well.
WideCells WDC raises £750k gross through the issue of 5,357,143 ordinary shares at 14p per share via a private placing with new and existing shareholders and the Board of Directors. The funds raised will be used to execute on a range of additional opportunities the Group has identified since listing in July 2016, rapidly accelerate the roll out of its three stem cell services divisions, CellPlan, WideCells and WideAcademy, and further its penetration of the rapidly growing stem cell market.
Wood Group WG. / Amec Foster Wheeler AMFW – The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) today accepts in principle the remedy formally offered by Wood Group on 9 August to complete the recommended all-share offer for Amec Foster Wheeler. Robin Watson, CEO of Wood Group said “Today’s announcement is an important milestone and gives us further confidence in our ability to complete the transaction in quarter four this year.” Jon Lewis, CEO at Amec Foster Wheeler said “We welcome the announcement by the CMA. Our offer of a proposed remedy in May and the early commencement of the sale process to potential buyers of the upstream oil and gas business has ensured we have navigated this process ahead of schedule increasing the likelihood that the transaction with Wood Group will close in quarter four this year.”
Wood Group weak in the East
by Ian Pollard
Wood Group plc WG has faced continued challenges in its core oil and gas markets in the 6 months to 30th June, with weak activity in the East more than offsetting a robust performance in the West. The first half is down on that of 2016 and is weaker than hoped for but it is expected that the second half will be stronger and it is still intended to pursue what it describes as a progressive dividend policy.
Greene King GNK announces record results for the 52 week to 30th April, after revenue for the year rose by 6.9% to record levels. On an adjusted basis, profit before tax rose by 6.6% but basic earnings per share were down by 23.9%. The final dividend is to be raised by 3.6%. At the Pub company likwe for like sales rose by 1.5%. outperforming the market after a good Xmas, a stronger fourth quarter and Greene King locals doing well.
DS Smith SMDS is increasing its dividend by 19% after another year of good growth for the 12 months to 30th April with organic volume up by 3.2%. Profit before tax rose by 16%, 5 acquisitions were made during the year and progress has continued into the new year. Momentum is now providing confidence in further growth to come.
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Hothschild Enjoys Boom In Mining
Hochschild Mining HOC has returned to profit and produced an exceptionally strong set of first half results, especially for a company in the beleaguered mining industry. Last yea’rs first half loss of $43.4m was turned into a profit of $60.3m after silver production of 17m ozs exceeded expectations with a rise of 31% and gold production rose by 188%. Total revenue was up from $190m to $339m. leading to a rise of 195% in like for like profit and 156% in earnings per share. It describes its environment as being constructive and is paying an interim dividend of 1.38 cents which it regards as being appropriate at “this early stage of the cycle”. More goodies to come then ?
Wood Group WG Despite the challenging conditions in oil and gas and an unchanged outlook for 2016, with EBITA expected to be down by 20%, Wood Group is raising its interim dividend by 10.2%. This reflects the determination of the company to raise its 2016’s dividends by double digits even if the results look fairly disastrous. Like for like revenue for the half year to 30th June fell by 18.7%, profit was down by 63% and basic earnings per share by 63.2% but at least the shareholders are being well looked after.
Menzies (John) MNZS claims a positive first half to the 30th June thanks to the collapse of sterling and a rise in aviation turnover of 7%, which between them enabled the company to increase its interim dividend by 8% to 5.4p. Profit before tax fell from £5.8m to £3m and reported earnings per share of 4.7p became a loss of 2.4p. Turnover was static. Shareholders will be pleased to note that the board is determined to address historic performance shortfalls.
Mears Group MER A fall of 5% in profit before tax has not stopped the company from raising its interim dividend by 6% for the half year to 30th June as a sign of confidence in the future. Net debt soared by some 350% from £4.2m to £14.1m. and he company plans to reduce revenue by getting out of unsustainable contracts which raises the question as to why it got into them in the first place.
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Not Again – More Unspecified “Challenging Conditions”
More and more Boards and CEOs seem to be waking up to the fact that if they claim to be operating in “challenging conditions” it makes their performance and governance, good or bad, look even better than it really is. What they forget is that some of us, perhaps even some shareholders, would like to know what these challenges actually were but generally they remain a well kept secret. If they were so serious that they affected the company’s performance and results, surely shareholder have a right to have details as to exactly what the challenges were which their company management was too clueless to overcome.
Wood Group WG. still expects that full year 2016 EBITA will be about 20% down on 2015 but it still expects to increase dividends per share by 10% or more. It has found that the North Sea operating environment has been very challenging for both volume and pricing but the International business performance has been robust.
Stobart Group STOB intends to increase the level and frequency of dividend payments as from October when a quarterly dividend will be paid. Stobart exp[ects that this will be at the rate of 3p per share on top of which share buybacks and special dividends will occur as circumstances permit.
Harvey Nash HVN has increased gross profit by 8% in the first four months of the current financial year despite challenging conditions. Significantly the UK was the worst performer with zero growth while mainland Europe from which we have just decided to divorce, came up with 11%, the USA with 24% and Asia Pacific with 5%. Uncertain times lay ahead says the company. With the irresponsible and fairly clueless political leaders who claim to govern both the UK and the EU, that should come as no surprise.
Vianet VNET Despite economic uncertainty which the company finds unhelpful, trading in the first 2 months of the current financial year is noticeably ahead of last year.
AA plc AA has agreed to sell its Irish business for £156.6m
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