reports
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Cautious optimism after significant challenges
Focusrite’s (TUNE’s) FY24 results highlight the negative effects of the most challenging year the CEO has faced. While the company’s main operating market has been difficult, management has continued to invest in development and release new products, which have enabled TUNE to outperform and gain share across all markets in FY24, and should enable it to thrive when conditions improve. With signs of stabilisation in its most important segment, TUNE’s valuation looks attractive.
Focusrite: 4 directors
Four Directors at Focusrite bought/maiden bought 16,814 shares at between 290p and 299p. The significance rating of the trade was 51/100. Is that information sufficient for you to make an investment decision? This report gives details of those trades and adds context and analysis to them such that you can judge whether these trading decisions are ones worth following. Included in the report is a detailed share price chart which plots discretionary trades by all the company's directors over the...
Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 18 Mar 24
18th March 2024 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment object...
Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 14 Mar 23
14 March 2023 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment objectiv...
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Uptempo
Focusrite’s revenue has been driven by acquisitions against a period of tough comparatives for the core brands. Current trading looks more encouraging for the majority of the brands, which is leading to gross margin improvements and a better outlook for EBITDA margin. We upgrade EBITDA forecasts for FY20e and FY21e by c 7%, but a higher tax rate in FY21 limits EPS upgrades in that year. For FY20e, an EV/EBITDA of 15.4x and a P/E of 24.9x are above long-term averages.
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Marching on
Focusrite has issued a reassuring trading update for H120. Sales growth is in line with expectations, against a tough comparative. With the majority of sourcing from Asia, there had been fears about its ability to continue sourcing product to satisfy consumer demand, which still looks ‘buoyant’, but deliveries have resumed quickly. Our underlying forecasts are unchanged, but we incorporate the acquisition of Martin Audio, leading to EPS upgrades of 1% for FY20 and 7% for FY21. The recent de-...
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Another sensible acquisition
Focusrite has announced its largest ever acquisition, Martin Audio, for c £35.2m net, following the announcement of the acquisition of ADAM Audio in July 2019 for £16.2m. The acquisition diversifies Focusrite into a complementary market that is growing, is profitable and cash generative. The AGM trading statement indicates that Q1 trading is line with expectations. Our forecasts remain unchanged until the acquisition, stated to be earnings accretive by management, completes.
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - A warm tone
Focusrite has delivered strong FY19 results, highlighting improved revenue momentum with a favourable reception of new product releases, better-than-expected margin delivery and encouraging trading on its first major acquisition since IPO, ADAM Audio. We increase our underlying assumptions for FY20 to reflect the improved trading and gross margin benefits from a shift in sourcing, but forex translation (notably strengthening sterling versus the euro) tempers the upgrade to c 4% for FY20. Our DCF...
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Trading ahead of expectations
Despite macroeconomic headwinds, in its closing update Focusrite has confirmed consensus beating FY19 revenue (c £84m vs our forecast £79.8m) and EBITDA, reflecting the success of its global growth strategy and strength of the brands. The launch of the third-generation Scarlett product ranges in July has been well received, with further significant releases anticipated in H1 FY20. After including the recent £16.2m acquisition of ADAM Audio, net cash stood at £14.9m (FY18: £22.8m). We raise ...
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Strategic acquisition using cash resources
Focusrite has announced the €18.0m strategic acquisition of ADAM Audio, a leading German developer and global distributor of professional studio monitor loudspeakers, funded entirely from existing cash resources. Although continuing to operate as an autonomous subsidiary, we see clear opportunities to cross-sell to Focusrite’s global customer base of amateur and professional music markers and to leverage its distribution network. We increase our forecast FY20e PBT by 5% to £13.3m and raise ...
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Executive interview
In this video Tim Carroll, CEO of Focusrite, the global music and audio products company supplying hardware and software products used by professional and amateur musicians, discusses how the company has continued to grow earnings and cash over the first half of the year against record prior-year comparatives. He also explains the importance of innovation and R&D for Focusrite as a market leader and disruptor, alongside opportunities for further geographical expansion and use of the company’s ...
- Kate Heseltine
Focusrite - Earnings growth despite market headwinds
Focusrite has delivered 23% H119 earnings growth, despite market headwinds, reflecting continued market share gains for its Focusrite ranges, a strong performance in Europe and 260bp gross margin improvement. The company is actively seeking opportunities to use its substantial £26m net cash balance, as reflected in the current valuation.
Focusrite - Positive trading update to November
Focusrite reports a strong November, leaving its Q1 ahead year-on-year, a positive result compared with many retailers. While its wide international spread is helpful, uncertainties remain on consumer markets generally, on US tariffs and on Brexit. We retain a cautious forecasting stance, while the valuation reflects the ongoing potential of its market-leading brands.
Focusrite - The song remains the same
The investment case for Focusrite is not so much its trading growth, impressive though that is with 19% pre-tax growth in FY18, but its ability to sustain expansion into the future. Both in category terms, with the professional and app-based products developing their markets, and geographically, with Asia taking over as the fastest growth region, management demonstrates its longer-term aspirations and capabilities. In our view, the inconvenience of US tariffs is likely to be temporary and does n...
Focusrite - Second-half trading as expected with higher cash
Focusrite ends the year with revenue as forecast, continued profit growth in the second half and revenue in line with our expected slower second-half growth. Cash of £22.8m is 10% higher than we forecast and is now over half the balance sheet. US tariffs will likely apply to Focusrite’s business there and management has been considering its response, while risks associated to Brexit appear relatively minor to us. It seems the share price continues to discount a significant acquisition.
Focusrite - Outstanding first half
Focusrite has delivered an outstanding first half with substantial growth on all metrics, across all territories and in both product brand groups. Constant currency revenue growth of 26% is double that of FY17 although, after an unprecedented pre-Christmas period, it is possible that the shape of trading may be becoming more seasonal. The company has net cash of c £20m, and the share price appears to discount a return on that.
Focusrite - Music therapy
Growth in revenue and cash is strong after four months of trading. Focusrite continues to build on its leadership positions in international markets, and to benefit from its c 85% non-UK market exposure. Further growth in cash is also encouraging as it suggests good profit conversion despite expected cost increases. If these independent growth trends continue to the half-year, we would see upside risk to our forecasts.
Tuning up
Following a strong first half driven in part by known product launches, this equally strong second half appears to show a more fundamental improvement resulting from sustained sales growth and improving mix together with margin and cash management in Focusrite’s international markets. These factors underpin our conviction that the company has sustainable independent strength.
Strong delivery with further potential
A number of factors have combined to produce excellent interim results for Focusrite: strong demand for its leading products, exposure to the buoyant US market, a promising result from sales to Amazon, good margin control, and a significant increase in cash generation. We are upgrading our forecasts, cautiously in view of consumer markets, although opportunities in the Far East and online represent potential upside.
Right focus
Focusrite has positioned itself in a way that makes its shares a particularly attractive investment: leadership in a niche product area protected from general consumer swings; an international market structure that makes it relatively currency agnostic; a habit of profit over delivery; a strong and further strengthening balance sheet; and an undemanding valuation. This first half trading statement confirms every one of those points.
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