Bigblu Broadband — H219 trading in line, confident in FY20

Bigblu Broadband — H219 trading in line, confident in FY20

Bigblu’s trading statement confirmed an H2 performance in line with expectations. Actions to cleanse the customer base should yield operational benefits over time and the above consensus year-end net debt figure (£14m vs £9m) primarily reflected a Brexit-driven inventory build that should reverse in the next few months. Bigblu remains confident in FY20 consensus (see below), which implies an acceleration in revenue growth.

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Bigblu Broadband

H219 trading in line, confident in FY20

Telecommunications

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6 December 2019

Price

103p

Market cap

£57m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

BBB

Listing

AIM

Shares in issue

56.8m

Business description

Bigblu Broadband is the largest satellite and fixed wireless broadband supplier in Europe, retailing solutions in Europe and Australia to households and businesses. The group has 110,000 customers, 80% of which subscribe to superfast satellite and 20% to fixed wireless broadband.

Bull

Bigblu to offer EU satellite speeds of 100Mbps in 2019, making it competitive with fibre packages.

Highly scalable business model with multi-language cloud CRM, billing and finance platform.

French subsidies for high-speed satellite are likely to be copied by other EU governments.

Bear

Services provided over third-party networks, albeit with the benefit of sourcing capacity competitively.

Acquisitions are a key growth driver, but reliance on them is falling with well-established networks.

Gearing risk: end FY19 £14m net debt versus consensus EBITDA of £10.1m.

Analysts

Dan Gardiner

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5729

Bigblu Broadband is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Bigblu’s trading statement confirmed an H2 performance in line with expectations. Actions to cleanse the customer base should yield operational benefits over time and the above consensus year-end net debt figure (£14m vs £9m) primarily reflected a Brexit-driven inventory build that should reverse in the next few months. Bigblu remains confident in FY20 consensus (see below), which implies an acceleration in revenue growth.

Proactively managing the customer base

While there was little financial detail in the statement, Bigblu disclosed 110k customers at the year end, down from 119k in H1. It actively closed 13k accounts during H2 that were loss-making or in arrears. Periodic adjustments to customer numbers are not uncommon for telco providers, particularly after a period of acquisition, and Bigblu is looking to ensure that its customers are on its best packages. To the extent customers were not paying or loss-making it will improve financial metrics. Adjusting for this restatement, customer growth was 10k (10%) year-on-year in FY19 and 4k in H2 (7.5% y-o-y growth annualised). We calculate that monthly ARPU on this restated base, assuming FY19 consensus revenues (£62.3m), was more than £49.

Temporary increase in net debt

The statement attributes the higher than expected year-end net debt figure to ‘short-term timing issues’ (we believe this is a Brexit-related rise in customer premise equipment inventory) plus some exceptional costs associated with exiting the legacy ViaSat agreement. Bigblu expects net debt to fall sharply as ‘no-deal’ inventory is liquidated and customers transition from ViaSat to Eutelsat (early 2020).

Company confident in FY20 market expectations

Consensus currently anticipates revenues rising 11% y-o-y in FY20. Having achieved 10% customer growth in FY19 and Eutelsat extending both its footprint and competitive advantage, this looks readily achievable. However, it does suggest that an acceleration from the customer growth rate achieved in H219 will be required. Consensus also implies no improvement in EBITDA margin (16%) despite a track record of operating leverage and consensus expectations of 18% in H219.

Valuation: Discount increases

The 5% fall in the price following the trading update has seen the shares reach their lowest rating in 2019. Valued at 6.6x FY20e EV/EBITDA, Bigblu continues to trade at a discount to its UK-listed telco peers despite its growth prospects.

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(£m)

EBITDA*
(£m)

PBT
(£m)

EPS**
(p)

DPS
(p)

EV/EBITDA*
(x)

P/E**
(x)

11/17

43.9

4.7

(10.1)

6.1

0.0

15.5

17.0

11/18

55.4

6.8

(15.2)

(0.3)

0.0

10.7

N/A

11/19e

62.3

10.1

(1.0)

6.3

0.0

7.2

16.4

11/20e

69.1

11.1

4.1

8.3

0.0

6.6

12.5

Source: Refinitiv. Note: *Adjusted for share-based payments and exceptionals. **Adjusted to exclude amortisation, exceptional depreciation and exceptionals.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Bigblu Broadband prepared and issued by Edison in consideration of a fee payable by Bigblu Broadband. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Bigblu Broadband prepared and issued by Edison in consideration of a fee payable by Bigblu Broadband. 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 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “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

De La Rue — Securing the future

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