Nothing Breedon specific.
In a trading update on Friday Kingspan Insulation reported a deterioration in orders for May and June compared to 2020. This appears to have been the spark for some algorithmic trading sells in UK construction stocks.
“Kingspan will report its results for the first half of the year on 19 August and we expect to report a record H1 2022 trading profit in the region of €415m, strongly ahead of the €329m reported for the first half of 2021.
We have seen the mood in most end markets deteriorate over the last two months with order intake volume down significantly on the May and June period in 2021 although ahead versus the same period in 2019. Our global backlog of orders on hand in Insulated Panels is down 2% in volume at the end of May having been 19% ahead at the end of March.
Kingspan is positioned strongly overall for medium term and beyond given the global focus on energy efficiency, our high performance product suite, our distinctive Planet Passionate agenda and diversity of our end markets.”
Embrace the volatility!
Seav, your post 22:12.
I note the reference to 'energy transition' and 'green energy'.
The new allowances target oil and gas extraction. There is nothing green in these objectives. The government has a clear objective to increase UK fossil fuel supply.
I believe this stark distinction will dawn on the general media over the next few days. Just wait till Labour the BBC tunes into it!
I await the detail in the bill, but at first sight this new levy looks to me a neat structure in meeting government objectives.
I agree with romaron’s comment (18:53) that today’s actions are the ‘right thing to do’. Help is needed with energy bills and oil/gas companies are best placed to provide some of that help. I think Enquest has rightly been put top of the target list. I understand someone invested in Enquest in 2010 @100p might see things differently but I see today’s additional tax as a tax on an unearned windfall The timing of investments in the likes of A/G and Kraken, and lumps dropping off Thistle are misfortunes we as investors should take on the chin. (Though my chin has only been in play since 2019 ;-) We do, and will continue to, enjoy the benefit of accumulated tax losses resulting from those misfortunes.
Some sums on this year’s impact – I’m assuming 12 months from today:
Pre tax profits on UK operations between $500m and $600m, so the ‘profits levy’ takes $125m - $150m of cash flows.
$165m minus c$40m (Malaysia) = $125m UK Cap Ex with 45% allowance, adds $56m to cash flows.
Combined negative impact on cash flows over the next 12 month = $71m - $96m. Or $3-$4 to each UK household – well done you!
Today the energy industry leaders are complaining to the cameras. But behind the camera there may be ‘high fives’.
While I agree with many parts of L3Trader’s comments (18:27), particularly on the profits levy impact on a reversal of impairments – something I’d add to my sum above if I had a clue on the numbers – I disagree with the negative impact on IRR and resultant case for North Sea investment. L3, I invite you to work the numbers:
Assume $300m of UK CapEx. before today’s levy Enquest cost is $300m net. From today, with a 45% allowance the net cost is $165m. Choose any IRR taxed at 25% and the yield on net cost is higher after today’s changes. (I chose $300m capex because that it roughly the amount Enquest would need to spend to negate the tax levy, but that still leaves the benefit of the improvement to IRRs) The benefit to Enquest on investment would be greater but for the availability of accumulated tax losses.
To any company paying close to full tax and able to fully utilise the 91% tax relief the IRRs will blow your socks off! Albeit, there is a delay in seeing the supplementary charge element.
Today’s changes have been constructed to quell the socialist demands (even if only temporary), meet some of the needs of energy bill payers, and encourage additional and faster investment in North Sea oil and gas extraction. I suspect we’ll hear more on this last point as the days and weeks pass – unless I’ve goofed in my assessment.
Ukbbb, makes a valid point on the difference between ‘tax relief’ and ‘investment allowance’. Raising an interesting question on the scope of qualifying CapEx.
I like to refer to 2P and 2C. If the activity extracts 2P, e.g., work overs, then it’s OpEx. If the activity converts 2C to 2P, e.g., new wells, including the wells on Magnus, then it’s Capex. (Refer to page 12 of 2021 Finals presentation)
All IM
kentio, if you go back to my original post (10:58) you'll see I'm referring to stock valuations not the number of shares.
If it's the number of shares that interest you then rest assured, if you have 100 BHPs shares today, you'll still have 100 BHP shares after Wednesday. But not withstanding market volatility they will be priced closer to £24 than the current £27.
martin, I calculated 11%, based on closing AUS prices, for a 1,000 share holding.
1000 47.18 47180
180.7011203 28.77 5198.771232
5.534 0.110190149
BHP 47.18 and Woodside 28.77. Above is a text extract from my Excel calculation. It will vary from day to day, but a stretch to get to 18%. I had c10% in my mind from a fag packet calculation I did several months ago, so given the rate today (5.534) 11% feels right.
That said, I always accept the possibility of making an error.
It simply means that following the merger of BHP oil assets with Woodside, if you hold say, £1,000 in BHP today, next Wed you will own c£100 (10%) in Woodside shares (in specie dividend) with the balance £900 still invested in BHP.
Although Woodside doesn't currently have a London listing, they will on 1st June. You will then be able to sell the Woodside shares allocated or if you wish buy more.
Hi Therapist, nice presentation. Particularly like the graded target range.
No doubt there is an element of 'finger in the air' on predictions, but some of yours surprise me.
Kraken - no wells planned this year. Why do you expect H2 production higher than H1? I already see production year to date as being high end of guidance.
Magnus - thanks for the heads up on the OGA March data. I'd missed it. Some recovery in water injection, and I was impressed by the March oil production number >12K bopd. If water injection is fully sorted I'm optimistic Magnus could be better and that's before the 3 wells and workovers. I'd go higher on your H2 numbers.
GEAD seems to be struggling to hold the 7-8K range and I believe the new wells be be very late in the year. Probably only have a positive impact at the turn of the year or into 2023, so I'm lower.
I'd expect 'other' to have a c10% or more decline through the year.
That said, my guesses are just that.
On North Sea gas for March I have c2,600 boepd, after Magnus fuel. What number do you have? I ask because I have a Mar total c1K boepd higher than yours.
Tenapenny, look at the information pack (slide 4) under the latest set of results.
Your numbers refer to working interest, but there is a profit share component.
2022 entitlement barrels of oil are expected to be c6Kbopd.
A continuation of my last post. I also see the links didn't work so I'll try them again.
With just 7 weeks to the end of H1 I suspect Breedon will report a very good H1, on both revenue and margin. But it will be the commentary that accompanies the release on the 17th July that will be most interesting. If the house builders come under pressure, they will be resistant to price increases in materials, which will then pressure Breedon’s margins. That said, I suspect Breedon are better placed than most in the aggregate materials supply to manage any pressures.
https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/output-growth-reaches-record-heights
https://www.mineralproducts.org/News-CEO-Blog/2022/release14.aspx
A couple of releases this morning measuring activity through Q1. I emphasis this point as it is historic and of most interest to us, as investors, is future activity.
The ONS has released construction data for March. Breedon’s primary activities are in Infrastructure and Housing, and both are doing well. The measure of new work is largely flat compared to pre-Covid, but this includes the negative impact of ‘private commercial’, largely London office blocks, which isn’t a significant part of Breedon’s business – though they have a share in a London concrete business which will be impacted.
The detail is on the ONS site but I thought the commentary in the media is interesting. Here’s one read:
Construction output reaches record heights (theconstructionindex.co.uk)
The MPA also released their numbers today for Q1, though I believe this data has been available to industry insiders, including analysts, for over a week. I think the commentary is excellent. Here’s an example, “Ready-mixed concrete sales were hit hard during the onset of the pandemic, and in the year ending March 2022 were still 6% below the pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Both London and the South East, which make up just over 30% of the total share of volumes across Great Britain, have endured a sustained period of weakness which can be traced back to comparatively slow recovery in commercial construction projects, particularly for new office towers and retail space. Overall demand is nonetheless supported by major infrastructure projects, including HS2 and Hinckley Point C, as well as a healthy pipeline of industrial warehouse projects.”
Strong start to the year for mineral products but outlook uncertain
It’s only been two weeks since Breedon’s AGM update, but it seems much has changed. Not least the BOE’s warning of a recession next year.
Ahead of the AGM I wrote a note (not posted) which ended, “On the negative side I think housing building in 2023 is one area to watch. The big builders are mindful of their margins.” Yesterday’s bust up between Gove (Housing Minister) and No 10 is a warning. The government will talk about housing targets, but when push comes to shove, they care most about the incumbent house holders, their core constituents. They will move heaven and earth to maintain house prices. If that means adding to the already substantial costs to new buyers, thereby limiting additional supply, so be it. Gove talking tough to the ‘big’ developers is also a clue to intent. (There are largely only big developers today because the planning costs deter the smaller builders).
Over the last month house builders have been reporting positive trading, but that was before talk of a recession next year. There are updates due next week. It will be interesting to see if the tone has changed.
This morning Petronordic hooked up to the Kraken FPSO. I have c28.8K bopd year to date, and c28.3K bopd average over the last four offloads. Just over 4 months into 2022 I see Kraken performing inline with the upper end guidance (22K – 26K boepd), assuming a 3 week summer shutdown.
Despite the ‘logistic’ issues which have delayed the AGM by one month, I’d hope a trading statement will be released next week on activities and financial status to end April. This periodic update has a standard format which just needs a tweak in commentary and fresh numbers. While we can speculate what the ‘logistical’ issues with the AGM might be, and we’ll have a clearer idea soon enough – assuming it wasn’t simply a fully booked venue – I can’t imagine what would prevent an update next week.
If the Enquest team needs help, I suspect a cut and paste from last year’s opening paragraph wouldn’t be far out.
“EnQuest remains on track to deliver against its targets. Performance at Kraken has been strong, with the FPSO continuing to perform well, and production at PM8/Seligi has improved following the completion of initial restoration activities ahead of schedule. While Magnus performance has been below expectations, we have a number of activities planned for the rest of the year to optimise production.”
Thanks Therapist.
"topsides de-bottle necking"
"Given the buoyant oil price,” Jan concludes, “we are looking at accelerating opportunities".
Some blah blah about prudence and discipline. Presentation padding, AB editing or the names of Jan's dogs?
Good stuff!
* The red bit of the cabbage is good eating!
Hi Stebo, thanks for your additional comments.
I knew Whitemountain are involved in airport runway surfacing and thought that might be the 'civil engineering' component, but looking again I see Whitemountain has a separate 'civil engineering' division from runway surfacing. They are currently inviting tenders on a project called 'Lambeg Sluice Gate',
I don't know what such a project might involve but it sounds very different from Breedon's standard business. The division will be a relatively small part of Breedon and perhaps a small part of the Ireland business too.
There are clearly two factors in play, aside from any US influence. One, the division may be taking up a disproportionate amount of management time. Two, the nature of contracts, say if they are largely fixed price in an inflationary environment would make them a higher risk than the more straightforward supply of materials as demand rather than contracts dictate. Breedon does pursue some contract business - they did this through 2018-19 in Scotland when other work was drying up - but their preference is for short term supply at a premium pricing point.
I remember a comment by the founder of Breedon, Peter Tom, who memorably said, "Breedon feeds off the crumbs from the big boys table". I thought it summed up their strategy very well.
I'm aware of many companies that have been hammered by a single bad contract, when the rest of the business has been performing well. As I say, I suspect the Whitemountain civil engineering business doesn't have the scale to have a big impact on Breedon overall, but if its a distraction, better to let a business focused on civil engineering handle the work.
On rebranding. This might be a 'flag' to the local market, that there has been a restructure, or refocus, of the business, but it might be unrelated. Breedon went through a similar exercise with 'Hope Cement'. They thought the Hope name was a significant Brand in the industry but the message coming across was that the Breedon name was better known, so they rebranded to 'Breedon Cement'.
While looking at Whitemountain I noticed a concrete mixer badged 'Whitemountain' with the Breedon logo alongside. I don't know the company that paints the Breedon wagons, but I'd guess business is good.
Thanks for your input.