APA Group: Investment considerations
About the author:
- Author name:
- By Nathan Lead
- Job title:
- Senior Analyst
- Date posted:
- 24 November 2021, 8:00 AM
- Sectors Covered:
- Infrastructure, Utilities, Banks
- APA Group’s (ASX:APA) share price has rebounded strongly after it was beaten to the acquisition of AusNet Services (ASX:AST), reflecting the market’s relief that the transaction did not proceed.
- We upgrade from HOLD to ADD, with CPI tailwinds outpacing organic headwinds.
Analysis
Implications of failed AST bid: In our previous research note we estimated APA needed to bridge a >$3bn gap in order for the acquisition to have zero value per share impact. This willingness to pay overs to diversify into electrification may signal that APA is concerned about the long-term prospects for its existing business (as hinted here); to reflect this, our 2049 terminal value now assumes mildly declining perpetuity cashflows. Alternatively, APA’s penchant for M&A could see its cost of equity rise as it is viewed by the market as cum-capital raising.
CPI tailwinds: APA’s revenues have CPI linkage through contracted price escalations. The low inflation environment has reduced APA’s earnings growth in recent years. However, APA should benefit from a CPI surge in 2022. c.32% of EBITDA is sourced from the Walllumbilla-Gladstone Pipeline, whose US$ revenues escalate annually on 1 January based on November CPI in the USA.
The best indicator for Nov-21 CPI is the Oct-21 CPI of 6.2% YoY. Furthermore, we understand domestic CPI for the December quarter drives annual escalation of a mass of A$ contract revenues in 2022 (and the September quarter CPI was a solid 3%). Long-term we assume Australian and USA CPI averages 2.4% and 3% pa through to 2030 respectively, as per market implied expectations in yield curves.
Interest rate risk: Higher bond rates may impact discount rates but shouldn’t affect APA’s short-medium term borrowing costs. APA’s debt portfolio is fully fixed rate with an average term to maturity of 7.4 years (next major maturity in FY25).
Organic headwinds: High domestic prices can destroy gas demand, evidenced by Incitec Pivot’s closure of its Gibson Island plant. The VTS’ CY22 tariff variation will likely have a negative revenue impact. Furthermore, we expect the macro environment to put downward pressure on upcoming RBP and VTS regulated tariff resets.
In NSW, our confidence of a strong recovery from the drop in contracted capacity seen in 2H21 has reduced, with the Port Kembla Energy Terminal (construction underway, connects into the competing EGP) allowing AEMO to be less concerned about winter 2023 supply scarcity risks. Revenue risk is also heightened by the shortening contract terms upon re-contracting.
Stalking Basslink: APA has rekindled its pursuit of the troubled Basslink asset via purchase of $99m of the asset’s $625m amortising debt at an undisclosed discount. If APA acquires the business, its strategy is to convert it into a regulated asset, with the greatest economic risk being the determination of the asset’s initial Regulated Asset Base by the AER. Basslink is not factored into our modelling.
Forecast and valuation update
Forecast changes at a group level are minor. Compositionally, we downgrade domestic-focused assets and upgrade WGP earnings. Across FY22-26F, we forecast EBITDA/OpCF/DPS growth of c.4%/5%/3% pa CAGR.
We forecast EBITDA below Visible Alpha consensus for FY22-23 and above thereafter. We think consensus is underestimating the CPI tailwind but is too bullish on steady state Orbost earnings and corporate costs. We are below consensus DPS estimates, with tax payable a major uncertainty to free cashflow.
Our previous target price was risked for the AST takeover. We revert to a business-as-usual approach, with a DCF-based target price of (login to view).
Investment view
Upgrade from HOLD to ADD. At current prices, we estimate a 12-month and five-year potential return of c.11% and 7.6% pa, respectively.
Price catalysts
Value accretive deployment of c.$3bn of estimated available debt capacity. Evidence of benefit of improving macro conditions. Policy intervention that improves long-term gas market fundamentals. Resolution of Orbost plant issues.
Risks
Macro (commodity prices, Australian and USA inflation/interest rates, AUDUSD). Domestic gas demand/supply and regulatory developments. Capital management. ESG headwinds / long-term asset stranding.
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Solid top-line outcome: BAP’s 1Q22 revenue was flat on the pcp, an extremely
resilient result given the extent of lockdowns in the period (~70% of stores
impacted) and the strength of the pcp (cycling 27% growth). Composition
comprised: Trade +2%; NZ -10%; Retail -12%; and Specialist Wholesale +7%.
Overall, BAP stated that non-lockdown areas are outperforming expectations.
▪ 1Q22 trade & retail: Trade/Burson revenue was up +2% on the pcp (LFL sales -
1%; cycling 8% pcp); NZ/BNT revenue was down -10% (LFL sales -15%; cycling
+4%); and Retail/Autobarn revenue was down -12% (LFL sales -16%; cycling
+36%). Within the Retail segment, online sales were +80% on the pcp. Stores
percentages impacted by lockdown were: Trade 70%; NZ 100%; and Retail 50%.
▪ Specialist segment results: Specialist wholesale revenue is up 7% on pcp, with
Auto electrical/Truckline divisions ‘performing strongly’; and WANO
underperforming.
▪ GM pressure expected to be temporary: BAP stated GM was stable across
Wholesale and NZ (45% of FY21 revenue); and down ~50bps Trade and Retail
(~55% of FY21 revenue), driven by promotional and online pricing in lockdown
areas (we assume no margin pressure witnessed in non-lockdown areas). BAP
expect margins to revert once lockdowns ease.
▪ The cost base has increased vs pcp, a function of duplicated DC costs
(commencement of new VIC DC), and higher group and team member support
(covid related) costs. BAP noted FY22 store rollouts and refurbs are on track.