Ebiquity — Accentuating the opportunities

Ebiquity (AIM: EBQ)

Last close As at 21/12/2024

35.50

0.00 (0.00%)

Market capitalisation

49m

More on this equity

Research: TMT

Ebiquity — Accentuating the opportunities

Ebiquity’s pre-close update indicates that trading has been in line with management and market estimates and we are making no changes to our numbers at this point. Post year-end news flow has been constructive (the Digital Decisions acquisition and the buy-in of the Italian minority). A potentially bigger opportunity comes from the news that Accenture is planning to withdraw from media measurement. Ebiquity’s share price has been trading near 10-year lows, putting the valuation at a marked discount to the smaller marcomms companies on an EV/EBITDA and on a P/E basis.

Fiona Orford-Williams

Written by

Fiona Orford-Williams

Director, TMT

TMT

Ebiquity

Accentuating the opportunities

Pre-close update

Media

21 February 2020

Price

34p

Market cap

£27m

$1.30/£

Net debt (£m) at 31 December 2019
(IFRS 16 basis)

5.8

Shares in issue

80.1m

Free float

99%

Code

EBQ

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

(10.5)

(18.1)

(31.3)

Rel (local)

(8.5)

(20.7)

(34.5)

52-week high/low

58.0p

26.0p

Business description

Ebiquity is a leading independent marketing and media consultancy, working for 70 of the world’s 100 leading brands to optimise their media investments.

Next events

Prelims

end March 2020

Analysts

Fiona Orford-Williams

+44 (0)20 3077 5739

Russell Pointon

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Ebiquity is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Ebiquity’s pre-close update indicates that trading has been in line with management and market estimates and we are making no changes to our numbers at this point. Post year-end news flow has been constructive (the Digital Decisions acquisition and the buy-in of the Italian minority). A potentially bigger opportunity comes from the news that Accenture is planning to withdraw from media measurement. Ebiquity’s share price has been trading near 10-year lows, putting the valuation at a marked discount to the smaller marcomms companies on an EV/EBITDA and on a P/E basis.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/17

64.2

7.9

6.2

0.71

5.5

2.1

12/18

69.4

5.2

3.5

0.71

9.7

2.1

12/19e

71.0

5.3

4.0

0.85

8.6

2.5

12/20e

72.3

6.5

5.0

0.95

6.8

2.8

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Looking to growth

The second half of FY19 continued in the same vein as the first, with a good top line performance from Advanced Analytics, AdTech and Contract Compliance and a more difficult trading backdrop in the Media practice. Questions have been asked for some time in the industry regarding the ability of Accenture to be both pitching for marketing contracts and simultaneously auditing their efficacy. Accenture has now acknowledged this dilemma by announcing the intended closure of its media auditing practice. This will increase the potential addressable market for Ebiquity for both regional and global consultancy accounts and accentuates the advantage of its independence. There was no further news with this announcement on group management, with Alan Newman continuing in role as interim CEO, and we have made no adjustments to our financial forecasts.

Back on the financial front foot

Last year’s eventual disposal of AdIntel transformed Ebiquity’s balance sheet and has enabled the group to refocus its activities on those with the greater potential for sustainable, profitable growth. The £5.8m year-end net debt disclosed in the trading update is better than the position that we had modelled of £6.9m. As we expect free cash flow to increase again next year, against a forecast lower capex requirement, the balance sheet should strengthen again, allowing the group to take advantage of other potential expansionary opportunities.

Valuation: Still well below marcomms peers

Despite the uptick on the back of this trading update, the share price remains well below a peer set of smaller quoted marcomms companies, albeit that the business models vary considerably. These stocks are currently trading on an FY20 P/E of 12.9x and EV/EBITDA of 8.8x. We would expect this differential to start to close as the group builds a record of delivering revenues and profits at least in line with expectations.

Exhibit 1: Financial summary

£000s

2016

2017

2018

2019e

2020e

Year end 31 December

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

INCOME STATEMENT

Revenue

 

 

83,569

64,228

69,368

71,000

72,250

EBITDA

 

 

14,574

10,840

7,761

7,519

8,304

Operating Profit (before amort. and except.)

 

 

12,959

8,992

6,342

6,100

7,000

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

(1,865)

(1,231)

(1,240)

(1,300)

(1,300)

Exceptionals

(2,777)

(3,405)

(6,233)

(6,436)

0

Share-based payments

(560)

(578)

(223)

(136)

(136)

Reported operating profit

7,757

3,778

(1,354)

(1,772)

5,564

Net Interest

(1,132)

(1,044)

(1,151)

(764)

(513)

Joint ventures & associates (post tax)

0

0

0

0

0

Exceptionals

0

0

0

0

0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

11,827

7,948

5,191

5,336

6,487

Profit Before Tax (reported)

 

 

6,625

2,734

(2,504)

(2,536)

5,051

Reported tax

(2,230)

(1,753)

(1,985)

(1,441)

(1,687)

Profit After Tax (norm)

9,257

5,531

3,413

3,896

4,800

Profit After Tax (reported)

4,395

981

(4,488)

(3,976)

3,364

Minority interests

(245)

(384)

(472)

(600)

(625)

Discontinued operations

0

1,467

(845)

0

0

Net income (normalised)

9,012

4,951

4,057

3,296

4,176

Net income (reported)

4,150

2,064

(5,334)

(4,576)

2,739

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

77.2

77.9

78.6

78.8

79.5

EPS - normalised continuing (p)

 

 

11.3

6.4

3.7

4.2

5.3

EPS - normalised (p)

 

 

11.3

6.2

3.5

4.0

5.0

EPS - basic reported (p)

 

 

5.4

2.7

(7.4)

(5.8)

3.4

Dividend per share (p)

0.65

0.71

0.71

0.85

0.95

EBITDA Margin (%)

17.4

16.9

11.2

10.6

11.5

Normalised Operating Margin

15.5

14.0

9.1

8.6

9.7

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

75,855

75,771

45,400

49,037

46,434

Intangible Assets

72,079

72,440

43,251

35,811

34,757

Tangible Assets

2,438

1,829

1,170

12,249

10,700

Investments & other

1,338

1,502

979

977

977

Current Assets

 

 

35,078

37,241

65,935

35,683

39,100

Stocks

0

0

0

0

0

Debtors

19,291

32,509

29,408

30,100

30,630

Cash & cash equivalents

6,662

4,732

8,793

5,583

8,471

Other

9,125

0

27,734

0

0

Current Liabilities

 

 

(25,912)

(24,549)

(27,539)

(28,102)

(28,244)

Creditors

(17,809)

(20,066)

(18,150)

(18,713)

(18,855)

Tax and social security

(1,850)

(1,598)

(1,681)

(1,681)

(1,681)

Short term borrowings

(4,476)

(1,572)

(2,314)

(2,314)

(2,314)

Other

(1,777)

(1,313)

(5,394)

(5,394)

(5,394)

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(32,728)

(35,481)

(36,282)

(17,746)

(17,746)

Long term borrowings

(30,210)

(32,000)

(33,965)

(16,465)

(16,465)

Other long term liabilities

(2,518)

(3,481)

(2,317)

(1,281)

(1,281)

Net Assets

 

 

52,293

52,982

47,514

38,871

39,544

Minority interests

761

1,040

992

1,135

1,135

Shareholders' equity

 

 

51,532

51,942

46,522

37,736

38,409

CASH FLOW

Op Cash Flow before WC and tax

14,574

10,840

7,761

7,519

8,304

Working capital

(2,835)

(2,002)

(367)

(129)

(388)

Exceptional & other

(957)

(890)

(6,233)

(104)

0

Tax

(166)

(2,207)

(1,952)

(1,441)

(1,687)

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

10,616

5,741

(791)

5,846

6,230

Capex

(2,351)

(2,231)

(1,784)

(3,600)

(1,800)

Acquisitions/disposals

(4,431)

(3,082)

(858)

19,959

0

Net interest

(1,074)

(921)

(1,068)

(764)

(513)

Equity financing

26

160

252

60

0

Dividends

(838)

(495)

(791)

(879)

(1,029)

Other

(1,017)

(46)

0

0

0

Net Cash Flow

931

(874)

(5,040)

20,622

2,888

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

28,661

28,024

28,840

27,486

6,864

FX

(633)

58

(91)

0

0

Other non-cash movements

339

6,485

0

0

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

28,024

28,840

27,486

6,864

3,976

Source: Company accounts, Edison Investment Research


General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Ebiquity and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Ebiquity. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2020. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Ebiquity and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Ebiquity. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2020. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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