Daldrup & Soehne — Increased profits and business activity

Daldrup & Söhne (DB: 4DS)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

5.85

0.00 (0.00%)

Market capitalisation

36m

More on this equity

Research: Industrials

Daldrup & Soehne — Increased profits and business activity

Daldrup & Söhne made progress in building its presence in geothermal generation during FY17 and this is expected to yield additional benefits in FY18. A stable regulatory framework, an order book at record levels and additional geothermal projects under development (Neuried and Puchheim) are also expected to contribute to growing profitability in the forecast period (see consensus forecasts).

Analyst avatar placeholder

Written by

Industrials

Daldrup & Söhne

Increased profits and business activity

Alternative energy

Scale research report - Update

26 June 2018

Price

€10.65

Market cap

€64m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

4DS

Listing

Deutsche Börse Scale

Shares in issue

6.0m

Last reported net debt at 31 December 2017

€13.1m

Business description

Daldrup & Söhne AG is an onshore drilling and environmental services company with vertically integrated competencies in geothermal projects (from feasibility study, permitting and constructing to power supply contracting). It is seeking to create predictable revenue streams as an independent power producer.

Bull

Emission reduction and renewable energy targets provide a helpful macro environment.

Favourable feed-in tariffs in Germany for geothermal energy.

Increased focus on operational plant should reduce financial volatility.

Bear

Investment in geothermal projects likely to increase the capital intensity of the business.

The time frame for the development of geothermal energy projects is longer than for some other renewable technologies.

FY17 EBIT did not cover interest charge for year.

Analyst

Graeme Moyse

+44 20 3077 5700

Daldrup & Söhne made progress in building its presence in geothermal generation during FY17 and this is expected to yield additional benefits in FY18. A stable regulatory framework, an order book at record levels and additional geothermal projects under development (Neuried and Puchheim) are also expected to contribute to growing profitability in the forecast period (see consensus forecasts).

FY17 results: Targets met, growth achieved

FY17 results from Daldrup & Söhne revealed total output of €43m (target €40m) and an EBIT margin of 2.6% (target 2.0-5.0%). In addition to meeting its overall financial targets, the results demonstrated year-on-year growth. Total output rose by 9.1% to €43m, although sales revenue fell due to the delayed completion of a significant drilling project in the Netherlands – the project has since been invoiced. EBIT increased by c 20% to €1.1m, although it did not cover interest costs of €1.8m. Net debt rose to €13.1m (from €7.9m), however a capital increase (€6.3m gross) post the year-end has strengthened the balance sheet.

Operational progress and favourable outlook

FY17 was also a year of operational progress, with Daldrup & Söhne increasing its holding in two geothermal projects, namely Landau and Taufkirchen. These two plants are expected to significantly increase their contribution in FY18 (first full year of consolidation), with EBIT in the region of €1m (according to management). In addition, with a stable regulatory framework and buoyant order volumes (the FY17 order book stood at c €49m), the prospects for FY18 appear promising. The company’s financial target for FY18 is for total output of at least €40m and an EBIT margin of between 2% and 5%.

Valuation: Premium rating

Our valuation analysis is based on management’s FY18 projections for revenue (€40m) and EBIT margin (2-5%). Daldrup & Söhne is trading on a FY18 EV/sales ratio of c 2x, assuming revenue of €40m. The figure of 2x represents a premium to the wider market but a discount to the selected group of renewable and drilling companies.

Historic figures

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

EBIT
(€m)

PBT
(€m)

EPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/16

31.1

1.0

(0.2)

0.03

355

N/A

12/17

24.8

1.1

0.0

0.00

N/A

N/A

Source: Daldrup & Söhne

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.

FY17 results: Meet targets and demonstrate growth

Daldrup & Söhne’s FY17 results exceeded its self-imposed targets, with total output of €43m (target €40m) and an EBIT margin of 2.6% (target 2.0-5.0%). At this point it is worth reiterating that the company reports according to German GAAP and as such all costs and expenses are recognised immediately when they are incurred, but profitability is based on output (invoiced revenue plus change in work in progress). The inclusion of the change in work in progress helps to smooth out the timing difference between revenue recognition and cash flows. The delay in invoicing a significant drilling project led to a decline in sales volume in FY17, but did not adversely affect total output.

In addition to meeting its financial targets, Daldrup & Söhne demonstrated strong year-on-year growth. Output rose by 9.1%, to €43m, and EBIT achieved an increase of c 20%, to €1.1m, although it remained below the level required to cover total interest costs (€1.8m). Of the total sales revenue of c €24.8m, €12.4m, or c 50%, was accounted for by the geothermics business. Drilling and exploration contributed €5.3m, water €4.1m and the environmental business, EDS, €2.9m. Of the total revenue, 85% related to operations located in Germany. The main driver of the increase in profitability, aside from the increase in gross revenue, was the reduction in the cost of raw materials (in part offset by a slight rise in employee costs).

At the year-end the balance sheet showed a significant increase (+€11.3m) due to the first time consolidation of geox GmbH, the operating and holding company for the Landau geothermal plant. The consolidation of Landau also accounted for a significant rise in the balance sheet total for technical equipment and machinery (+67.1% to €22.7m). The year-end FY17 balance sheet also showed cash at bank of €1.5m (FY16: €0.8m) and an equity ratio of 45.3% (FY16: 50.4%).

Exhibit 1: FY16 vs FY17 results – key highlights

€m

FY16

FY17

% change

Comment

Sales

31.137

24.758

-20.5%

Increase in work in progress

8.321

18.286

+119.7%

Delay in invoicing Dutch drilling project

Output

39.458

43.044

+9.1%

Increase in output reflecting increase in activity and order book

EBITDA

4.557

4.743

+4.1%

Despite higher employee costs higher revenue- feeds through to higher EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

(3.605)

(3.604)

NM

EBIT

0.951

1.139

+19.8%

EBIT Margin (%)

2.4%

2.6%

N/A

EBIT margin increase and within target range helped by flat D&A

Interest expenses

(1.354)

(1.797)

+32.7%

Rise in indebtedness

Net profits

(0.228)

(0.025)

-89.0%

Cash flow

From operating activities

3.654

9.897

+170.8%

Significant improvement in w/k cap. movements

From investing activities

(1.130)

(13.151)

NM

Large increase in investment in PPE

From financing activities

(2.304)

(1.298)

+43.7%

Increased issue of bonds and loans

Net Debt

(7,863)

(13,059)

Source: Daldrup & Söhne

Post year-end developments

Since the year-end Daldrup & Söhne has successfully issued fresh equity, raising €6.4m (gross) in February. As a result of the issue, the number of shares has increased to 6m and the share of the equity held by the Daldrup family has fallen from 65% at the year-end to 59% post the issue. Since the year end the company has continued to receive drilling orders and has raised its holding in the Taufkirchen geothermal plant to 55.2% at the group level (from 29%) via the acquisition of Axpo Power’s 35% holding. In FY17 Daldrup & Söhne raised its holding (at the group level) in the Landau geothermal plant to 67% (from 30%), although this deal was concluded in February 2018.

Exhibit 2: Post year-end developments

Date

Event

4 May 2018

Order for geothermal drilling from Stadtwerke Schwerin

9 April 2018

Stadtwerke München commissions six deep geothermal drillings

27 February 2018

Issue of 544,500 shares raising €6.4m

5 February 2018

Concludes Increase in stake in Landau geothermal plant to 67%

25 January 2018

Increase in stake in Taufkirchen geothermal plant 55.21%

Date

4 May 2018

9 April 2018

27 February 2018

5 February 2018

25 January 2018

Event

Order for geothermal drilling from Stadtwerke Schwerin

Stadtwerke München commissions six deep geothermal drillings

Issue of 544,500 shares raising €6.4m

Concludes Increase in stake in Landau geothermal plant to 67%

Increase in stake in Taufkirchen geothermal plant 55.21%

Source: Daldrup & Söhne

Outlook

The outlook for Daldrup & Söhne appears favourable. The regulatory framework remains relatively benign, with geothermal energy plants receiving a feed-in tariff (FiT) of 25.2 cents/kWh. The company now enjoys a strengthened balance sheet, post the rights issue, with an ability to develop the projects at Puchheim and Neuried. There is also the prospect of a significantly increased contribution from Landau and Taufkirchen geothermal plants in FY18. The potential revenue contribution from the two geothermal plants is expected to be in the region of €5m, with EBIT of c €1m. Order volume at the end of FY17 stood at c €49m (a record) and the total order pipeline at €98m. The company’s financial target for FY18 is for total output of at least €40m and an EBIT margin of between 2% and 5%. Both of these targets are below consensus forecasts.

Valuation

We base our valuation commentary on management’s FY18 projections for revenue (€40m) and EBIT margin (2-5%). Our analysis compares Daldrup & Söhne to the wider market and a list of comparable companies.

Daldrup & Söhne is trading on a FY18 EV/revenue ratio of c 2x assuming a revenue figure of €40m. The figure of 2.0x represents a premium to the wider market but a discount to the selected group of renewable and drilling companies (see Exhibit 3). By way of illustration, assuming a revenue figure of €45m, D&S’s forecast EV/revenue multiple declines to 1.8x.

Exhibit 3: Daldrup & Söhne – comparable valuation analysis

P/E

18

(x)

P/E

19

(x)

EV/Sales

18

(x

EV/Sales

19

(x))

EV/EBIT

18

(x)

EV/EBIT

19

(x)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ STOXX 600

SXXP

14.5

13.3

1.6

1.5

N/A

N/A

Drilling companies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAUER

BSA GY

11.2

7.99

0.6

0.6

10.1

9.1

Odfjell Drilling

ODL NO

114.3

21.7

3.0

2.6

27.1

17.3

Average

 

62.8

14.8

1.8

1.6

18.6

13.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Renewable companies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7C Solarparken

HRPK GY

25.7

25.7

7.8

7.5

24.4

22.4

Energy Development Corporation

EDC PM

9.7

8.8

4.2

4.0

10.0

9.6

Enrgiekontor

EKT GY

34.3

10.7

3.2

1.6

14.4

7.5

Good Energy

GOOD LN

10.7

8.2

0.7

0.7

 

 

Ormat Technology

ORA US

22.6

21.5

5.1

4.8

16.2

14.2

Polish Energy Partners

PEP PW

43.6

15.8

0.5

0.5

20.7

14.2

Average

 

24.4

15.1

3.6

3.2

17.1

13.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined average

 

34.0

15.0

3.1

2.8

15.4

11.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Bloomberg. Note: Priced at 25 June 2018.

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
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.

Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by Deutsche Börse AG 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 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

More on Daldrup & Söhne

View All

Latest from the Industrials sector

View All Industrials content

Industrials

ACWA Power — Record results for FY23

Industrials

Dowlais Group — Motoring forward

Research: TMT

TXT e-solutions — Diversifying the banking and finance business

TXT has announced an agreement to acquire an Italian financing software company for an enterprise value of €7.6m. This marks the first acquisition since TXT Retail was sold and diversifies the offering for the banking and finance business, adding software to what is predominantly a services offering. We estimate the deal should be earnings accretive (+11% FY18e EPS, +23% FY19e) and will revise our estimates on completion.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Edison

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

Sign up for free