AmRest/Sphera Group: no beauty and no beast (AmRest stays BUY, Sphera downgraded to HOLD)
Over the past year, Sphera’s share price has weathered the macro storm in Romania well, supported by its unique position of being the only consumer name listed locally. At the same time, AmRest has extended its downward move that started in 2024, as investors have kept on questioning the company’s weak earnings momentum and lack of triggers. At its current level of 8x 2026E EBITDA, on our estimates, we see Sphera as fully valued, and we downgrade the name to HOLD (from Buy), with a new price target (PT) of RON 41.1. We maintain our BUY on AmRest, with a new PT of PLN 25.4 as, at our 5x 2026E EBITDA and a 45% discount vs. our estimate for the adjusted replacement value, we see the stock as providing a decent value offer. We see fundamental reasons for the continuing disposal of the underperforming assets, with any larger deal coming as a potential Pepco/Poundland moment for the stock.Amrest Holdings SE is a Spain-based company active in the restaurants and bars sector. The Company's core activity is operating Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Pizza Hut, Burger King and Starbucks restaurants through its subsidiaries in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Spain and France, on the basis of franchises granted, and Applebee's in the United States. Additionally, in Spain and France the Company operates its own brands La Tagiatella, Trastevere and il Pastificcio. It also operates PizzaPortal.pl, an online portal for ordering food from various restaurants. The Company operates through subsidiaries, such as AmRest Sp z o o, AmRest sro, AmRest doo, AmRest Adria doo, Blue Horizon Hospitality Group PTE, AmRest TAG SL, SC Marinopoulos Coffee Company III Srl and Marinopoulos Coffee Company Bulgaria EOOD, among others.
WOOD & Company is the leading investment bank in Emerging Europe. Founded in 1991 and head-quartered in Prague, our footprint spans the region and touches investors around the globe.
A pioneer in Emerging Europe, WOOD executed many of the first CEE equity trades and landmark investment banking transactions. Our electronic trading platform was the first in the region, and remains the best. We are continually expanding our relevance and reach in these ever-evolving markets.
Our equity market share reflects our stature: 7% in Warsaw, 20% in Bucharest, 16% in Hungary, 40% in Prague and 5% in Vienna. Our distribution is unparalleled, with the largest salesforce in the region, servicing a uniquely diverse investor base.
We couple local expertise with a truly international perspective. With offices on the ground in the region, and in key financial hubs such as London and Milano, we are never far from our clients and we remain at the forefront of what’s afoot in the CEE emerging and frontier landscape.
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