Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen — Increasing trade volume on favourable pricing

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DB: DGR)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

24.80

0.20 (0.81%)

Market capitalisation

40m

More on this equity

Research: Real Estate

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen — Increasing trade volume on favourable pricing

Group transaction volumes rose c 44% y o y in H121 to €86.3m, with almost all Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DGA) group companies contributing to the improvement. This expansion results mainly from favourable pricing developments and size of properties sold, as the average price per asset increased by c 47% y-o-y. Due to its regressive commission scale, group revenues increased by 31% to €7.6m, which boosted pre-tax profit by 80% y-o-y to €2.3m on a consolidated basis, with fully owned subsidiaries contributing c €1.6m to the group’s pre-tax result. With €40.7m already submitted for Q321 auctions, DGA has increased its annual transaction volume target to €135m (from €112.7m).

Analyst avatar placeholder

Written by

Michal Mierzwiak

Analyst

Real Estate

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen

Increasing trade volume on favourable pricing

Real estate

Scale research report - Update

16 September 2021

Price

€22.8

Market cap

€36m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

DGR

Listing

Deutsche Börse Scale

Shares in issue

1.6m

Last reported net cash at 30 June 2021

€2.6m

Business description

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen is a market leader in the auctioning of all types of properties in Germany. It expanded actively after its 1999 listing with a network of four regional auction houses, operating in Saxony, West and Northern Germany. It also has as online auction company.

Bull

Sustained long-term demand for property, assisted by a favourable interest rate outlook.

Clear market leader with experienced management and wide client base.

Real estate market may be considered a safe haven by investors.

Bear

Macroeconomic uncertainties related to COVID19 and economic downturn.

Highly competitive environment.

High risk of a property market bubble.

Analyst

Michal Mierzwiak

+44 (0) 20 3077 5700

Group transaction volumes rose c 44% yoy in H121 to €86.3m, with almost all Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (DGA) group companies contributing to the improvement. This expansion results mainly from favourable pricing developments and size of properties sold, as the average price per asset increased by c 47% y-o-y. Due to its regressive commission scale, group revenues increased by 31% to €7.6m, which boosted pre-tax profit by 80% y-o-y to €2.3m on a consolidated basis, with fully owned subsidiaries contributing c €1.6m to the group’s pre-tax result. With €40.7m already submitted for Q321 auctions, DGA has increased its annual transaction volume target to €135m (from €112.7m).

82% y-o-y increase in net profit

On a standalone basis, DGA reported transaction volume of €32m in H121 (versus €26.5m in H120) and revenue of €3.0m (versus €2.9m from auctioning and property management services). The c 5.4% y-o-y increase in operating costs, driven by higher personnel expenses, resulted in an increase in pre-tax profit of just 3.4% y-o-y to €0.7m. Including subsidiaries, DGA reported net income of €1.5m (up 82% y-o-y), which translated into EPS of €0.96 for the period.

Improving volume of single-property transactions

The German real estate investment market recorded a c 20% yo-y decline in transaction volume in H121, according to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). However, the market for single asset transactions, which is the main focus for DGA, expanded by 25% to €22.7bn (67% share in overall transaction volume). The broad residential sector (which includes student housing and micro living) remains the largest contributor, with a c 35% share of total trade volume in the German real estate investment market. Q221 figures suggest some revival in the office segment.

Valuation: Trading at a premium to comparable index

Based on a P/E ratio calculated on last 12 months (LTM) earnings figures at end-June 2021, DGA is trading at a 31% premium to the iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, which we use for valuation purposes due to the lack of direct peers. Based on consensus (consisting of one estimate), DGA’s P/E multiple expands from 13.3x for the LTM at end-June 2021 to 14.5x for 2021e and 16.6x for 2022e. The last dividend of €1.35 per share (from FY20 and FY19 earnings) constitutes a 5.9% yield, significantly above the 1.44% trailing 12-month yield of the index.

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

PBT

(€m)

EPS

(€)

DPS
(€)

P/E

(x)

Yield
(%)

12/20

12.7

3.0

1.28

1.35

17.8

5.9

12/21e

13.5

N/A

1.57

1.50

14.5

6.6

12/22e

14.0

N/A

1.37

1.30

16.6

5.7

12/23e

14.4

N/A

1.41

1.35

16.2

5.9

Source: DGA accounts, Refinitiv consensus as at 16 September 2021. Note: Data based on the estimates of one company.

Edison Investment Research provides qualitative research coverage on companies in the Deutsche Börse Scale segment in accordance with section 36 subsection 3 of the General Terms and Conditions of Deutsche Börse AG for the Regulated Unofficial Market (Freiverkehr) on Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse (as of 1 March 2017). Two to three research reports will be produced per year. Research reports do not contain Edison analyst financial forecasts.

H121 financials: Healthy bottom-line expansion

DGA continues to increase its trading volumes, reporting a record-high turnover from auctions and agency sales of €86.3m in H121 versus €59.8m in H120. This improvement was a result of favourable price dynamics and a higher sales completion rate, with 90.1% of offered real estate sold for an average €126k per property (versus 88.7% and €86k, respectively, in H120), as the number of assets sold declined slightly y-o-y to 685 from 697. Notably, just five disposals executed within agency services offered by Plettner & Brecht Immobilien (a fully owned subsidiary) amounted to €4.6m versus €4.0m from eight in H120. This constitutes c 49% of the subsidiary’s turnover and over 5% of the group-wide figure.

Management expects the group to sustain this positive momentum into Q321 as it targets c €40.7m in auction sales in the period based on current submissions. Having said that, we believe that this target is below the Q221 total of €48.6m and the €47.8m reported in Q320. The latter, however, includes €9.9m from the one-off auction of properties located in Berlin. The positive developments over H121, together with healthy forecasts for the next three months, resulted in management’s upward revision of its annual auction trade volume target from €112.7m to €135m. Assuming the 90% completion rate holds in Q321, this guidance might be considered conservative, as over 90% of it could be realised by the end of September.

DGA reports under German Accounting Standards (HGB) and is, therefore, not obliged to publish consolidated financial statements for the group. The parent company reports standalone figures with a single line item, representing the pre-tax results of five fully owned subsidiaries. Since its share in the aggregate group turnover from auctions in H121 was just 37%, a detailed top-down analysis of the income statement provides limited information about the group’s overall revenue and earnings position. Having said that, we surmise its regressive commission scale further compressed the rate to 8.7% in H121 from 9.6% in H120, as DGA group’s revenue reached €7.6m (€5.8m in H120). This resulted in €2.3m pre-tax profit (versus €1.3m in H120), with €1.6m attributable to its subsidiaries. The group’s net profit was €1.5m in H121 (an 82.3% y-o-y increase), which translates into EPS of €0.96 (versus €0.53 in H120).

Exhibit 1: Financial highlights

in €’000, unless stated otherwise

H121

H120

change y-o-y

Turnover from auction* sales in €m (group)

86.3

59.8

44.3%

Net commission in €m (group)

7.55

5.76

31.1%

Net commission rate (group)

8.7%

9.6%

-88 bps

Revenue (parent)

3,040.0

2,885.8

5.3%

Other operating income

128.7

133.7

-3.7%

Material costs

(49.4)

(38.2)

29.3%

Labour costs

(1,129.5)

(954.2)

18.4%

Other operating costs

(1,238.9)

(1,281.1)

-3.3%

Depreciation / interest etc

(85.0)

(101.6)

-16.4%

Parent company profit

666.0

644.4

3.4%

Profit /losses from subsidiaries, of which:

1,592.3

607.3

162.2%

Sächsische Grundstücksauktionen

583.4

473.3

23.3%

Westdeutsche Grundstücksauktionen

534.2

0.4

NM

Norddeutsche Grundstücksauktionen

360.7

39.9

805.0%

Plettner & Brecht Immobilien

108.3

26.2

312.8%

Deutsche Internet Immobilien Auktionen

5.8

67.5

-91.4%

Pre-tax profit

2,258.3

1,251.6

80.4%

Income and other taxes

(715.2)

(405.2)

76.5%

Net profit

1,543.1

846.4

82.3%

Source: DGA accounts. Note: *Includes €4.6m from agency sales.

In H121, DGA (the parent company only) reported €3.0m in total revenue from auction sales turnover of €32m and property management services (18 buildings with 369 flats, with a combined 26k sqm of leasable space). The c 5.4% y-o-y increase in operating costs, driven by higher personnel expenses (26 employees as at end-June 2021 versus 24 at end-June 2020), led to the company recording a 3.4% y-o-y increase in pre-tax profit to €0.7m. This implies a c 22% margin, slightly below the 30% recorded by the whole group.

Performance is improving across regions

Healthy demand for real estate across Germany fuelled a well-balanced expansion in turnover for the parent company and its subsidiaries. DGA’s share in the group total declined to 37% in H121 from 44% in H120, despite the c 21% y-o-y increase in volume. The parent’s client structure is based on transaction turnover, including private and institutional landowners, with 81% share (versus 70% in H120) and government institutions with 16% (28%). Insolvency administrators and inheritance trustees account for the remaining 3%. We believe this structure is broadly similar across the group, as in H121 DGA reported €12.5m in turnover on behalf on government bodies, which constitute 14.5% of the group total.

Exhibit 2: Breakdown of auction sales turnover by subsidiary

Subsidiaries performance

Sales volume (€m)

Properties sold

H121

H120

y-o-y

H121

H120

y-o-y

Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen (parent)

32.0

26.5

20.8%

130

132

-1.5%

Westdeutsche Grundstücksauktionen

16.6

5.0

228.8%

51

41

24.4%

Sächsiche Grundstücksauktionen

16.5

12.0

36.8%

168

191

-12.0%

Norddeutsche Grundstücksauktionen

9.8

5.0

94.6%

74

72

2.8%

Plettner & Brecht Immobilien

9.4

9.3

1.1%

72

64

12.5%

Deutsche internet Immobilien Auktionen

2.1

1.8

12.0%

190

197

-3.6%

Total

86.3

59.8

44.4%

685

697

-1.7%

Source: DGA accounts

Westdeutsche Grundstücksauktionen rebounded well from exceptionally weak H120 results with the second largest contribution to group turnover in H121. We believe this unit was the most affected by the pandemic, as one of its auctions had to be carried out on Deutsche Internet Immobilien Auktionen’s platform. The over-threefold y-o-y improvement resulted from significantly larger properties sold, as the number of objects auctioned in the period increased from 41 to 51 in the period. We believe the subsidiary has also increased its completion rate, which in FY20 fell to just 77.6% (versus the group average of 90.1% in H121); however, DGA has not provided any data. Meanwhile, the third-largest contributor to group turnover (€16.5m), Sächsiche Grundstücksauktionen, recorded a 96% completion rate in Q221, which could be the reason for its higher profitability and the largest share in the group’s pre-tax profit among the subsidiaries (€0.6m and 26% share). Furthermore, Norddeutsche Grundstücksauktionen almost doubled trade volume in H121 versus H120, while selling broadly the same number of properties (74 vs 72).

Single asset sales pick up ahead of portfolio trades

According to JLL, in H121, total investment volume in the German real estate market declined y-o-y by c 20% to €34.1bn, with the decrease fully attributable to Q121 (€16.6bn versus €27.9bn) as it is compared with the robust Q120, which was the last pre-pandemic quarter. The Q221 investment volume of €17.5bn was 21% higher than in the corresponding period last year. However, the first two quarters of 2021 both sit below the five-year quarterly average of €19.4bn. Having said that, the market outlook is favourable from DGA’s perspective, as the declines in investment volume are mainly attributable to large portfolio transactions (down 53% y-o-y) rather than single asset sales, which is the main scope of the company’s business model (up 25% y-o-y).

As market uncertainties surrounding the new COVID-19 variants persist, the resilient ‘living’ sector (including residential, student housing and micro living) continues to see the highest demand, with €11.9bn in transactions in H121 (35% share) according to JLL’s research. However, in Q221 alone, the living sector’s share of overall trade volume in the broad German real estate investment market fell to 25% and ranked second to the office segment (c 34% share), which is returning to the pre-pandemic investment market structure.

Valuation

DGA’s share price has increased by almost 37% ytd, reaching €22.8 as at close on 15 September. With the last dividend payment amounting to €1.35 per share based on both FY20 and FY19 earnings (only 49% of FY19 net profit was distributed last year as part of management’s conservative approach to uncertain market developments during the pandemic), the dividend yield sits at a healthy 5.9%. It significantly exceeds the 1.44% trailing 12-month yield of the iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF, which we continue to use for valuation purposes due to the lack of direct peers listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. For the LTM earnings figure to end-June 2021, DGA is trading on a P/E ratio of 13.3x, which is 31% above the index’s multiple of 10.1x. According to Refinitiv consensus, based on the estimates of one analyst, DGA’s EPS could reach €1.57/share in FY21e (versus €1.72 recorded on an LTM basis), which would bring the P/E multiple to 14.5x, and €1.37/share in FY22e, implying a P/E multiple of 16.6x.

General disclaimer and copyright

Any Information, data, analysis and opinions contained in this report do not constitute investment advice by Deutsche Börse AG or the Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse. Any investment decision should be solely based on a securities offering document or another document containing all information required to make such an investment decision, including risk factors. This report has been commissioned by Deutsche Börse AG and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally.

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 2021 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.

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

1185 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

1185 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

More on Deutsche Grundstücksauktionen

View All

Latest from the Real Estate sector

View All Real Estate content

Research: Consumer

La Doria — Another strong quarter

Yet again, La Doria has posted strong H1 results notwithstanding the tough comparatives. Revenues were down 4.1%, as expected, as food consumption normalised compared to the pandemic peak in Q220. EBITDA was up 22%, with an impressive 210bp increase in margin to 9.8%. The outlook for the sector remains favourable, and the seasonal tomato campaign has been successful in terms of industrial yields and product quality. We see upside to our FY21 forecasts given the strong performance so far, though we are mindful of rising input costs, consumer demand normalising, and a poorer 2021 fruit crop.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

Get access to the very latest content matched to your personal investment style.

Sign up for free