-Buybacks and yield support coming to the rescue in valuation
-Weak coal demand/prices likely to prevail in FY21
-Bulks transform from loss-making amid new contracts
The outlook for
Macquarie considers the stock defensive and the share price supported by continued buybacks, which have been guided at
However, Morgans points out, while the company is positioning as best it can to take advantage of a recovery in coal export demand, this is a high fixed-cost business and cannot suddenly reduce and then subsequently increase capacity.
Buybacks & Yield
Volume uncertainty and the pending outcome of court decisions do create risks for FY21, in Macquarie's view. The company has been a successful litigant in the
Success in these actions could mean additional support for buybacks, the broker adds. Credit Suisse expects, with management committing to progressively add debt, a further
However, should the independent expert require additional investment to address a capacity deficit in the Central Queensland Coal Network then this could make inroads into the amount available.
While acknowledging the relative resilience of the stock and appealing capital management at a median valuation,
Citi ascertains the cash dividend coverage is strong despite the potential for weaker earnings and envisages a sustainable dividend yield of 5-6%, with options for capital returns from the re-gearing of the operating division balance sheet calculated to unlock a further
In line with its forecasts Morgans estimates an FY21 distribution of 26.7c. At current prices this implies a cash yield of 5.7%. The broker assesses the distribution could average an even higher rate of 29.5c across FY21-23, if earnings actually follow the outlook.
Coal
Citi highlights the lack of visibility around coal volumes and network revenues as the key risks. The broker forecasts a decline of -3% in FY21 for coal earnings but the outlook is contingent on no material increase in competition that would place further pressure on freight rates.
Historically, weaker demand and falling prices have led to do a decline in coal haulage volumes and Citi expects FY21 will be no different. A pick-up is anticipated in the second half of FY21 but the extent of this is a vexed question.
To become more positive, Citi would require improvements in the coal price, export demand and capacity utilisation in Chinese and Indian steel mills. The company has highlighted no earnings growth in FY21 as volumes have not emerged to counter the impact of lower contract pricing.
Macquarie points out volume trends over the last seven years have been at the lower end of 210-220mt and growth appears somewhat elusive. Volumes were flat for the third year in a row and most likely will be again in FY21. Re-contracting also means exposure to variable revenue increases to 40-50% from 30-40%.
Macquarie assesses, while the short-term demand for coal is uncertain, the longer-term outlook is becoming increasingly clear as de-carbonisation of power generation accelerates. Aurizon has emphasised the longer-term market for seaborne coal, particularly metallurgical coal, is driven by infrastructure developments and energy demand in
However, as the broker points out,
Bulks
Bulks have transformed from a loss-making business three years ago, attributed to winning new an extended haulage contracts and efficiency improvements. The division reported underlying FY20 earnings of
Bulks contributed around 20% of "above-rail" earnings in FY20 and all the growth. The broker anticipates sustainable earnings for the bulk division of
In June,
While retaining a Buy rating based on appealing relative valuation to the ASX 200 ex resources and scope for further capital returns, the broker acknowledges a high conviction viewpoint is difficult at this stage.
FNArena's database has five Buy ratings and one Hold (
FNArena is proud about its track record and past achievements: Ten Years On
All material published by
© 2020 Acquisdata Pty Ltd., source