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High-performance result and above consensus outlook drive BlueScope higher

Published 20-FEB-2017 09:16 A.M.

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2 minute read

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Global steel producer, BlueScope Steel (ASX: BSL) delivered a strong first half net profit of $360 million for the first half of fiscal 2017, representing an increase of circa 200% compared with the previous corresponding period.

However, the focus is likely to be on the strong second half guidance which points to full-year earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $1.11 billion. As a point of comparison, analysts at Citi were forecasting full-year EBIT of US$1.03 billion.

Focusing on the first half result, it was ahead of Macquarie’s estimates of $348.6 million, and the capital management initiatives announced by management should be well received by shareholders.

Citing the group’s strong cash flow generation ($900 million in calendar year 2016), BlueScope’s chairman, John Bevan said, “In light of the company’s sound cash flow position the board has approved the payment of a fully franked dividend of 4 cents per share and approved and on market share buyback of up to $150 million”.

From an operational perspective, it was a strong result across the board, but focusing on the key growth driver, it was the performance of its North Star steel business that was a standout. The group moved to full ownership of the North Star operations in October 2015 and has continued to achieve improvements in margins.

The benefits of these developments are now hitting the bottom line with the business recording a 178% year-on-year rise in underlying EBITDA (US$180.2 million) in the first half of fiscal 2017. Given the upbeat confidence surrounding the US economy generally, the North Star business is likely to be seen as a continuing source of robust growth.

BlueScope’s coated and painted products business was supported by strong demand in Australia as EBIT increased by 70%. Management intends to focus on growing this area of its business in Asia as it is highly leveraged to the rapid rise in middle-class wealth.

The BlueScope Buildings division delivered underlying EBIT of $49.5 million, representing year-on-year growth of 45%, largely driven by improvements in the North American business.

Having delivered a slightly better than expected profit, initiated an earnings per share accretive capital management strategy and provided full-year guidance ahead of analyst’s expectations BlueScope’s share price could receive support when markets open on Monday.

Prior to the release of this result, Citi had a price target of $13.34 on the stock, implying upside of nearly 10% to Friday’s closing price of $12.19. However, this performance may have Citi and a number of analysts revising their numbers.



General Information Only

S3 Consortium Pty Ltd (S3, ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) (CAR No. 433913) is a corporate authorised representative of LeMessurier Securities Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 296877). The information contained in this article is general information and is for informational purposes only. Any advice is general advice only. Any advice contained in this article does not constitute personal advice and S3 has not taken into consideration your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please seek your own independent professional advice before making any financial investment decision. Those persons acting upon information contained in this article do so entirely at their own risk.

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S3 and its associated entities may hold investments in companies featured in its articles, including through being paid in the securities of the companies we provide commentary on. We disclose the securities held in relation to a particular company that we provide commentary on. Refer to our Disclosure Policy for information on our self-imposed trading blackouts, hold conditions and de-risking (sell conditions) which seek to mitigate against any potential conflicts of interest.

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