Filtronic — Further momentum with £4.5m defence contract

Filtronic (AIM: FTC)

Last close As at 20/11/2024

GBP0.75

1.00 (1.35%)

Market capitalisation

GBP165m

More on this equity

Research: TMT

Filtronic — Further momentum with £4.5m defence contract

Filtronic’s £4.5m contract with a UK defence supplier is its largest for more than five years and indicative of its improving momentum in the traditional defence market, on top of the exciting progress in the space sector. As the bulk of revenues from the deal will be spread across FY25 and FY26, we are not changing our estimates but believe they look increasingly well underpinned. The company’s rating is now starting to factor in an acceleration in growth and margin expansion. With continuing strong execution, we believe that it is more than capable of delivering this – demand for high-end radio frequency (RF) is growing and Filtronic has rare capabilities in the field, while incremental revenue growth should drop strongly through to margins.

Written by

Dan Ridsdale

Head of Technology

Filtronic_resized

TMT

Filtronic

Further momentum with £4.5m defence contract

Contract win

Tech hardware and equipment

19 December 2023

Price

20p

Market cap

£43m

Net cash (£m) at end FY23 (including £2.3m lease liabilities)

0.3

Shares in issue

215.3m

Free float

66.1%

Code

FTC

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Filtronic is a designer and manufacturer of advanced radio frequency (RF) communications products, supplying a number of market sectors including mobile telecommunications infrastructure, public safety, defence and aerospace.

Analysts

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Katherine Thompson

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Filtronic is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Filtronic’s £4.5m contract with a UK defence supplier is its largest for more than five years and indicative of its improving momentum in the traditional defence market, on top of the exciting progress in the space sector. As the bulk of revenues from the deal will be spread across FY25 and FY26, we are not changing our estimates but believe they look increasingly well underpinned. The company’s rating is now starting to factor in an acceleration in growth and margin expansion. With continuing strong execution, we believe that it is more than capable of delivering this – demand for high-end radio frequency (RF) is growing and Filtronic has rare capabilities in the field, while incremental revenue growth should drop strongly through to margins.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

EBITDA* (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

Diluted
EPS* (p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

05/22

17.1

2.8

1.5

0.53

0

37.5

05/23

16.3

1.3

0.1

0.06

0

308.8

05/24e

20.7

2.2

0.7

0.32

0

62.5

05/25e

22.7

2.7

1.2

0.56

0

36.0

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

The deal announced today is with a major UK prime defence contractor and is for the development and manufacture of advanced RF modules for packaging semiconductors, optimised for both thermal and RF performance. Management has highlighted that Filtronic sees exciting opportunities in aerospace and defence, as western countries reinvest in their capabilities. The company is well placed to benefit from this dynamic as high-end skills are in short supply and governments have become more focused on sourcing from sovereign or allied suppliers. This contract marks a significant milestone in this regard.

The contract is the result of a collaboration over a number of years with the MoD, the customer and PRFI, a leading UK-based technical design consultancy. Engagement will start with a product qualification phase in January 2024, with delivery of final production scheduled over 12 months starting in 2024. As a result, the bulk of revenues will be recognised over Filtronic’s FY25 and FY26.

At its AGM on 26 October, Filtronic confirmed that it is confident of delivering FY24 results in line with market expectations. Medium-term prospects look increasingly positive, with this contract adding to the company’s recent wins in the space market. In the longer term, Filtronic’s technology development to support E-band frequencies for space applications and W-band frequencies for terrestrial backhaul solutions provide further growth opportunities.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Filtronic and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Filtronic. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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.

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General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Filtronic and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Filtronic. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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 2023 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

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.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

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