Morningstar Equities Research - 12 Dec 2012
Wednesday, 12 December 2012, 10:33 am
Press Release: Morningstar
Southern Cross Media Group Limited SXL |
Brand repair: Disaster recovery plan
implementedMorningstar Recommendation:
Accumulate
Michael Higgins, Associate
Analyst
Following the unfortunate events of last
week, Southern Cross Austero has released a statement
suspending all advertising on 2Day FM until further notice
and the cancellation of 2Day’s Hot 30 show. The temporary
suspension is expected to be short lived and will unlikely
materially impact the long term group revenue generating
ability of the company. The prank call saga adds to an
unflattering list of indiscretions linked to 2Day FM - the
station has long tolerated Kyle Sandilands. In saying that,
2Day FM still enjoys a five year reign as Sydney’s number
one rated FM breakfast show. Despite the impressive ratings,
SXL has suffered from an inability to turn ratings dominance
into advertising success—the latest transgression unlikely
to help the situation—with Telstra and Coles suspending
advertising. In 2012 metro advertising revenue softened 4.7%
yoy, driven by local advertising which was down 5.8% and
national, down 4.2%. Although clearly not positive for the
station’s brand, it’s hard to see that the (likely)
short term suspension of advertising will have a lasting
impact on group financials. We will reassess our view if the
suspension is upheld longer than expected, but at this
point, our underlying thesis is
unchanged.
Warehouse Group Limited (The) WHS-NZ|
Acquisition of Noel Leeming raises more questions than
answers
Morningstar Recommendation: Hold
Nachi Moghe,
Senior Equities Analyst - NZ
WHS acquired
electronics and home appliance retailer Noel Leeming Group
(NLG) for NZD 65 million. NLG owns two brands namely Noel
Leeming and Bond & Bond. The price paid corresponds to 6
times EBIT and 8.7 times earnings. We are not enthused by
this acquisition and remain concerned that margins might
come under further pressure due to WHS’ increasing
exposure to categories like consumer electronics and home
appliances. These categories are facing price deflation
because of technological changes and intense competition. In
that respect the recent divestment of Dick Smith by
Woolworths is poignant given Dick Smiths poor performance
and shrinking margins. NLG is a bit different from Dick
Smith because of its exposure to home appliances. Still, we
do not regard the outlook for home appliances to be vastly
different from consumer
electronics.
Whitehaven Coal - Downgrade due
to price changeCardno - Upgrade due to price change.
Fortescue Metals - Downgrade due to price change.
Sirtex Medical - Downgrade due to price
change.
Click here for details:
Morningstar_Equities_Research_121212.pdf
ENDS
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