Mid-Cap

Three legal industry stocks to re-look

August 21, 2016 | Team Kalkine
Three legal industry stocks to re-look


 
Slater & Gordon Ltd


SGH Details

Expanding debt Facility Structure: Slater & Gordon Ltd’s (ASX: SGH) lenders recently reported that they would get deferred amendment fees in the form of either cash or securities under Syndicated Facility Agreement as warrants. The lenders comprised 41.6% of total commitments and will receive SGH securities as deferred amendment fees. Lenders representing 58.4% of total commitments would get cash as deferred amendment fees. This is part of the reorganization strategy of SGH in which there is performance improvement program, profitability and cash flow improvement, and reduction of debt which would start realizing its full value by May 2018. Despite these efforts from the group, SGH’ legal division has contributed negative to the profit of the company due to lower than expected RTA and NIHL resolutions for which SGH has taken revised intake strategy from 1st December 2015.
 

Facility Structure (Source: Company Reports)
 
In the first half of 2016, the gross operating cash flow was under pressure but the company is taking steps for multiple problems across its UK legal services businesses and has implemented cost cutting initiatives. But the group expects that there would be decrease in the pressure in the second half of 2016 which will reflect as positive operating cash flow. In addition, under UK reorganization the assessment of UK operations is completed in the first half 2016. SGH had acquired two UK firms in 2015 has recently finalized the company’s largest ever acquisition of Quindell’s professional services division in the UK to expand its operations. We believe investors can leverage the low levels of SGH stock which has fallen 31.94% in the last six months (as of August 18, 2016). We give a “Speculative Buy” recommendation on the stock at the current price of $0.50
 

SGH Daily Chart (Source: Thomson Reuters)
 
Shine Corporate Ltd


SHJ Details

Strengthening operating cash flow: Shine Corporate Ltd (ASX: SHJ) executed the settlement deed for DePuy Class Action for AUD $250,000,000 (inclusive of costs and disbursements) plus interest which was related to ASR hip implants that were defective in design. The settlement is expected to have a net positive impact on the Group’s Gross Operating Cash Flow in the first half of the financial year ending 30th June 2017. Moreover, SHJ had the core business down in the first half 2016 due to lower income driven by sub-optimal fee earner to file ratios and under performance by some fee earners, both resulting in a reduction in WIP and income. SHJ is expecting the core business will be better in second half 2016.
 

FY 16 Guidance (Source: Company Reports)
 
However, SHJ has revised the FY2016 EBITDA guidance to be $24m-$28m downward due to the one-off provision uptake and also due to current business scenario. The total additional provision is a one-off amount of $17.5m and would reflect in FY2016. However, SHJ has received a favorable ruling from the Australian Taxation Office arising from the group’s restructure prior to a public listing in 2013 which was said to generate income tax benefits of $19.3 million. Meanwhile, despite rising 78.29% in the last six months (as of August 18, 2016), the stock is trading at a very cheap P/E. We give a “Speculative Buy” recommendation on the stock at the current price of $1.26, ahead of its full year results on August 24, 2016.
 

SHJ Daily Chart (Source: Thomson Reuters)
 
IPH Limited


IPH Details

FY16 Results and acquisition ofCullens Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys: IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) released FY16 result with 50% NPAT growth over FY15 while free cash flow rose to $39.1m from $30.4m. IPH acquired Cullens Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys for $35.6 million, with a potential of additional payment based on FY16 earnings growth, capped at $7.1m. The acquisition is expected to build the leading intellectual property group in secondary markets as it has substantial local client base.
 

FY16 Result (Source: Company Reports)
 
Moreover, in first half 2016 IPH had acquired Pizzeys and Callinans. The company had raised $51 million through share purchase plan to fund its acquisitions. On the other hand, IPH stock fell after the company did not meet the expectation in its earlier financial result. The group needs to increase the client base to have a lot of recurring revenue. IPH stock has fallen 31% in the last six months (as of August 18, 2016). Despite this fall the stock is trading at an unreasonable P/E and will trade ex-dividend on August 23, 2016. We give an “Expensive” recommendation on the stock at the current price of $5.80
 

IPH Daily Chart (Source: Thomson Reuters)


Disclaimer
The advice given by Kalkine Pty Ltd and provided on this website is general information only and it does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. You should therefore consider whether the advice is appropriate to your investment objectives, financial situation and needs before acting upon it. You should seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice) as necessary before acting on any advice. Not all investments are appropriate for all people. Kalkine.com.au and associated pages are published by Kalkine Pty Ltd ABN 34 154 808 312 (Australian Financial Services License Number 425376).The information on this website has been prepared from a wide variety of sources, which Kalkine Pty Ltd, to the best of its knowledge and belief, considers accurate. You should make your own enquiries about any investments and we strongly suggest you seek advice before acting upon any recommendation. Kalkine Pty Ltd has made every effort to ensure the reliability of information contained in its newsletters and websites. All information represents our views at the date of publication and may change without notice. To the extent permitted by law, Kalkine Pty Ltd excludes all liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website and any information published (including any indirect or consequential loss, any data loss or data corruption). If the law prohibits this exclusion, Kalkine Pty Ltd hereby limits its liability, to the extent permitted by law to the resupply of services. There may be a product disclosure statement or other offer document for the securities and financial products we write about in Kalkine Reports. You should obtain a copy of the product disclosure statement or offer document before making any decision about whether to acquire the security or product. The link to our Terms & Conditions has been provided please go through them and also have a read of the Financial Services Guide. On the date of publishing this report (mentioned on the website), employees and/or associates of Kalkine Pty Ltd currently hold positions in:  BHP, BKY, KCN, PDN, and RIO. These stocks can change any time and readers of the reports should not consider these stocks as advice or recommendations.