Chemring — Ducks aligning

Chemring — Ducks aligning

Chemring’s H118 report demonstrates improved operational performance and financial security. While FX headwinds persist, the operating margin improvements at Countermeasures and Sensors are visible, as is improved cash generation. End markets are evolving from the perceived threat to increasing budgets, which underpins Chemring’s market position. The FY18 outlook remains unchanged, underpinned by the H2 order book.

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Chemring

Ducks aligning

Aerospace and defence

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21 June 2018

Price

217p

Market cap

£606m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

CHG

Listing

LSE

Shares in issue

279.2m

Business description

Chemring is a global leader in aircraft and naval countermeasures, sensors and electronics, and other energetic materials for military use in training, peacekeeping and conflict. Its operations in the US, UK, Norway and Australia supply home governments, NATO and the Middle East.

Bull

Leading market position in growing defence spending climate.

Organic and M&A growth potential supported by robust balance sheet.

Operational Excellence Programme driving improvement across all areas.

Bear

SFO investigation into specific historic contracts at CTSL.

Order timing subject to budgetary pressures.

Further loan note payments required ($83.6m) in November 2019.

Analysts

Annabel Hewson

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Andy Chambers

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Chemring’s H118 report demonstrates improved operational performance and financial security. While FX headwinds persist, the operating margin improvements at Countermeasures and Sensors are visible, as is improved cash generation. End markets are evolving from the perceived threat to increasing budgets, which underpins Chemring’s market position. The FY18 outlook remains unchanged, underpinned by the H2 order book.

H118 focus on profitability improvement

Reported H118 revenue of £229.3m (H117 £249.6m) represented a 2% organic decline, reflecting the expected lower 40mm ammunition deliveries to the Middle East. More encouragingly, underlying operating profit of £18.1m (H117 £11.3m) demonstrated a 14% organic improvement as the operational excellence programme bears fruit. Operating margin improvement was apparent in both Countermeasures and Sensors. Although order intake was down y-o-y (H118 £208m vs H117 £218m), H218 is 80% covered by the existing order book and the market backdrop remains supportive. The financial turnaround of the business is visible in the improved cash generation and reduced net debt at £84.6m (H117 £111.7m). The 10% increase in dividend to 1.1p (H117 1.0p) was also a positive.

Market strengths

Chemring has taken significant steps to address its operational performance and financial strength. The company expects group operating margin to increase by 75bp in FY18 and by 300bp by 2022. Progress is supported by the company’s ability to make sensible capital allocation decisions and invest in growth. Meanwhile, the company recognises increased tension has brought defence spending into greater focus around the globe. While the US remains the dominant market, we see multiple opportunities for Chemring. Activity in Countermeasures is encouraging on many fronts while the need for Sensors’ products is evident with the growing chemical weapon threat. In addition, budget support for Roke’s consultancy services is being driven by increasing information security threats.

Valuation: Self-determination

While FY18 is a year of consolidation for the company, operational improvement is still expected. The shares are trading on 16.9x FY18 consensus EPS falling to 15.3x FY19, which represents a modest premium to peers. We continue to believe the market backdrop plus self-determination afforded by the removal of the debt constraint warrants increasing optimism.

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(£m)

PBT
(£m)

EPS
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

10/16

477.1

34.0

10.30

1.30

21.1

0.6

10/17

547.5

44.1

12.90

3.00

16.8

1.4

10/18e

519.1

45.8

12.86

3.34

16.9

1.5

10/19e

530.3

50.8

14.22

3.78

15.3

1.7

Source: Bloomberg

Chemring is a client of Edison Investment Research Limited.

Disclaimer

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

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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

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, 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

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Disclaimer

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by Chemring and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. 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. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd (AFSL: 427484)) and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US 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. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and 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 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. This document is provided 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.
Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. 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. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. 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. 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 (ie 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. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2018. “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.

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

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, 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

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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