SATS - Phillip Securities 2023-06-04: Acquisition Costs & Cargo Weakness Overshadow Recovery

SATS - Acquisition Costs & Cargo Weakness Overshadow Recovery

Published:
SATS (SGX:S58) | SGinvestors.ioSATS (SGX:S58)
  • SATS (SGX:S58)'s FY23 revenue grew 49.4% y-o-y, which included a full-year contribution from 65.4%-owned HK cargo handler AAT. However, operating loss rose 12.7% y-o-y, dragged down by cost escalation (+48.1% y-o-y), S$44mil in M&A expenses, and weak performances from AAT, Malaysia ground handling and Saudi Arabia cargo handling. Net loss would be S$77.6mil if government relief were excluded.
  • - Read this at SGinvestors.io -
  • SATS' balance sheet has turned into net debt, with net gearing at 0.33x. Consolidation of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) could raise FY24e net gearing to 0.84x, we estimate.
  • - Read this at SGinvestors.io -
  • higher interest expense from the acquisition cost and debt at WFS;
  • air travel demand might plateau from 2H24e with rising recessionary risks.

The Negatives

Cost escalation weighed on earnings.

  • SATS reported higher operating loss of S$48mil (2H23: loss S$5.7mil) despite a 49.4% y-o-y gain in revenue, partly due to the consolidation of 65.4%-owned HK cargo handler Asia Airfreight Terminal which incurred losses. Total expenditure surged 48.1% as SATS restored to full capacity in anticipation of the ramp-up in flights by the air carriers.
  • The number of commercial flights operating at Changi Airport was still 25% below pre-pandemic level in Mar 2023. Net loss excluding government relief was S$77.6mil.
  • Staff costs rose 62% y-o-y and now account for 50% of total costs (FY22: 45%). Total employee count has returned to pre-pandemic level of 17,100. Higher inflationary pressure also lifted the cost of raw materials (+25.8%) and fuel and maintenance (+45.8%).
  • SATS also incurred S$44.5mil for expenses relating to the acquisition of WFS.

Mixed performance in the overseas markets.

  • Read more at SGinvestors.io.




Above is the excerpt from report by Phillip Securities Research.
Clients of Phillip Capital may be the first to access the full report in PDF @ https://www.stocksbnb.com/.




Peggy Mak Phillip Securities Research | https://www.stocksbnb.com/ 2023-06-04



Read also Phillip's most recent report:
2023-11-14 SATS - A Weary Recovery.

Previous report by Phillip:
2023-08-17 SATS - Acquisition Costs Weighed On 1Q24 Earnings.

Price targets by 3 other brokers at SATS Target Prices.

Listing of research reports at SATS Analyst Reports.

Relevant links:
SATS Share Price History,
SATS Announcements,
SATS Dividends & Corporate Actions,
SATS News Articles





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