AZJ
Aurizon is doing, more or less, what it is meant to do, namely being a reliable cashflow generator, with fairly predictable profit streams…
…acting as an inflation hedge…
…that is set to diversify away from coal, at the margin, towards hauling stuff with a more plausible future, namely the base/bulks/grains business of One Rail.
And using that combination of higher cashflow and higher inflation to reduce the overall debt burden…
Whilst Aurizon is an infrastructure business, with inflation pass throughs, generating infrastructure like margins…
There remains a material difference between what the market is willing to value the underlying assets, and the carrying values…
If you value AZJ at 13x, then future earnings need to grow over time (the dashed line in the below analysis) to generate a “market-like” rate of return of 7%. It would seem, via One Rail, they are set to grow, and so that hurdle is not unduly high.
However, 13x is a very low multiple for infrastructure assets. At 16x, forecast earnings are able to decline (which matches the “coal in decline scenario”) and still generate attractive total returns over the coming decade.
It seems very likely, to our mind, that AZJ should be able to stagger over such a bar of low expectations.
A little like the SUN result earlier today, it is a solid result in a period marked by significant weather, & fairly difficult to manage labour, & (to limited impact) raw material pass-throughs.
The market hasn’t liked either overmuch, but they might look much better, by comparison to others, by the end of reporting season, which should be marred more than ever by supply chain snafu’s, and raw material pricing impacts.
We remain (broadly) happy holders in our direct equity portfolios, on valuation grounds.
Important Information: This document has been prepared by Aequitas Investment Partners ABN 92 644 165 266 (“Aequitas”, “our”, “we”), a Corporate Authorised Representative (no. 1284389) of C2 Financial Services, (Australian Financial Services Licensee no. 502171), and is for distribution within Australia to wholesale clients and financial advisers only.
This document is based on information available at the time of publishing, information which we believe is correct and any opinions, conclusions or forecasts are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. To the extent permitted by law, neither Aequitas nor any of its affiliates accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of the information herein.
Please note that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
General Advice Warning: This document has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and therefore you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Before making any decision about whether to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Investor Directed Portfolio Service Guide (IDPS Guide) and consider talking to a financial adviser.
Taxation warning: Any taxation considerations are general and based on present taxation laws and may be subject to change. Aequitas is not a registered tax (financial) adviser under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and investors should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent or a registered tax (financial) adviser if they intend to rely on this information to satisfy the liabilities or obligations or claim entitlements that arise, or could arise, under a taxation law.