Positive news for BlueScope leading up to its reporting next week, CML released unaudited accounts and details of a new acquisition, Heritage Bank subordinated Tier 2 bond added to the DirectBond list, Mackay Sugar reports weaker 1H16 results, Newcrest sees lower profit in 1H16 and Virgin sees eightfold increase in its first half reporting
BlueScope to beat EBIT guidance by 28% USD bonds at 8.13% pa
Published 12 February 2016
BlueScope has made an announcement to the market that it expects to deliver unaudited underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for 1H16 of $230m, 28% ahead of previous guidance of $180m. A link to the ASX announcement is available here
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The stronger performance has been driven largely by earlier delivery of cost reductions, growth in Australian domestic sales and improved margins. BlueScope has benefited from the continued falls in its underlying costs of production (such as iron ore and coal). Read more
CML announces new acquisition - Continues to offer attractive value for a senior secured bond
Published 11 February 2016
CML Group (CML) has released summary unaudited management accounts for 1H16 and details of a new acquisition. The audited accounts are expected to be released 25 February, however, CML’s management accounts are in the full update.
CML has entered into a Binding Heads of Agreement to purchase CashFlow Advantage Pty Ltd (CA) subject to due diligence. CA is a receivables finance company based in Sydney. Read more
Heritage Bank sub-debt added to the DirectBond list
On Tuesday 16 February, we added Heritage Bank’s floating rate subordinated bonds to the DirectBond list.
Heritage was originally formed in 1981 by the merger of Toowoomba Permanent Building Society (est. 1875) and the Darling Downs Building Society (est. 1897). The organisation changed from a building society to a bank in 2011. However, it still has a mutual ownership structure which alleviates pressure to maximise profits, given the absence of shareholder expectations for returns. Heritage offers various forms of personal and commercial lending but residential mortgage lending is the largest part of the business. Heritage is primarily Queensland focused, however, does have lending offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and lending capabilities in WA, NT and TAS.
The bonds are available to wholesale clients only in A$10,000 minimum parcels. Click to view the factsheet.
Mackay Sugar 1H16 – weaker results, as expected
Published 15 February 2016
Mackay Sugar Limited (MSL) reported weaker half yearly results due to unfavourable growing conditions, lower sugar prices and higher maintenance costs. However, MSL remains in a solid credit position given its extensive asset base and financing flexibility.
While continuing to be impacted by depressed sugar prices, there has been a recovery in prices over the second half of 2015. MSL is a cyclical business with a long trading history and has managed through similar periods before. Read more
Newcrest sees lower profit in 1H16, but improved credit metrics
Published 16 February
Newcrest 1H16 results were down on the prior period reflecting a 10% lower gold price. From a credit perspective, it was positive to see an improvement in free cash flow and that the company was still able to deleverage despite the lower gold price during the first half. We expect to see an improved 2H16 performance given the gold price is now rallying. Read more
Virgin sees an eightfold increase in first half profit, USD bonds at 7.9% pa
Published 15 February 2016
Virgin has delivered a much improved performance in 1H16, driven by improved operating performance and lower fuel costs. The company is targeting a significant improvement in credit metrics by FY17. Some of the key highlights from the results are included in the full update.
Importantly, Virgin’s earnings uplift was not entirely about fuel costs. Fuel (net of foreign currency) made up $33.8m of the circa $71m total uplift in underlying profit. The remaining improvement in underlying profit was made up of operational improvements (net of higher interest costs) across the business. Read more