Morningstar | Transferring Coverage of Narrow-Moat Blackmores; FVE Intact
We reiterate our AUD 135 fair value estimate for Blackmores as we transition coverage to a new analyst. Our narrow economic moat and high fair value uncertainty ratings are also unchanged. At current prices around AUD 124, the stock is fairly valued.The fiscal 2018 result was strong, with net profit after tax up 19%. Growth continues to be driven by China and the broader Asian region, as well as the firm's premium Bioceutical product range in the domestic Australian market. We slightly reduced our near-term forecasts, while our longer-term forecasts are broadly unchanged. Our long-term forecasts incorporate low-to-mid-single-digit organic growth in the core Australian business, coupled with double-digit growth in sales to China and the other Asia segment (which includes Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Kazakhstan). Blackmores' balance sheet remains strong, with net debt/EBITDA of 0.5 times.
We think Blackmores enjoys a narrow economic moat by virtue of its strong brand, which enables it to earn sustainable returns on invested capital well above its weighted average cost of capital. Nonexistent switching costs, intense industry competition, and low barriers to entry generally make it difficult for vitamin operators to maintain an economic moat. Unlike other pharmaceutical companies, Blackmores does not benefit from patent protection, but the company has built a brand that taps into a willingness to a pay premium price for a relatively commoditised health product. Consumers thus far seem to be price-inelastic when it comes to matters of health. The credibility and trust in the Blackmores brand is the result of a long, unblemished record of quality and market-leading innovation that continues apace. Crucially, it has replicated this success in Asia.
Management continues to cement its position in new regions through the execution of strategically formed partnerships, which widen the distribution channels and customise the product offerings. The relationship with Eu Yan Sang--a company that manufactures and retails specialist Chinese medicine--in Singapore and Malaysia is a typical relationship assisting Asian expansion.
Blackmores is engaged in the development, sales and marketing of health products for humans and animals including vitamins and herbal and mineral nutritional supplements. As of June 30 2016, Co. operated in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offer an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors.
Morningstar provides data on approximately 530,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 18 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries and had approximately $185 billion in assets under advisement and management as of June 30, 2016.
We have operations in 27 countries.
Unfortunately, this report is not available for the investor type or country you selected.
Browse all ResearchPool reportsReport is subscription only.
Thank you, your report is ready.
Thank you, your report is ready.