Rekeep - Split Growth
All,
Please find our updated model here.
This is a short update but we have made an interesting observation on the growth rates in Italy and Poland derived from the Net Operating Working Capital data provided by the Company. We have sought some clarification from the Company, but our analysis shows LTM revenue in Poland growing 60% in the last 12 months, with a noticeable acceleration in the last two quarters. This is masked by a c.10% decline in the Italian business, even allowing for Tax Credit receipts which distorted FY22 and FY23 revenue numbers.
Investment Considerations:
- We maintain our 5% position in the Senior Secured Notes at 93%. With yields of c. 13% the bonds remain attractive, with the Company exploring options for asset sales and/or refinance the bonds. There is limited debt ahead of the bonds, and with the RCF falling due in August 2025, a full refinancing is required.
- We acknowledge that with the current level and trajectory, the business is unlikely to be able to refinance within 10-12%, hence the discussions concerning asset sales. On its current operational performance a full refinance is unlikely.
- However, with limited debt ahead of the bonds, and the reduction of off-balance sheet debt we retain the view that 13% return fully compensates for the risk within Rekeep.
Polish versus Italian segments:
- Rekeep does not provide geographical splits for its business. However, the Company shares the level of Net Operating Working Capital data for Poland and the wider Group. Using these figures, we can obtain the LTM Revenue for Poland and the LTM Revenue ex Poland (effectively Italy).
- This analysis, contained within the Excel model, results in substantial growth in Poland, which has masked the 10% decline in the Italian segment. The magnitude of the growth is larger than our expectations, and although we expected the Polish business to grow, we did not anticipate this actual level.
Recent Results:
- Ignoring tax credits (related to the energy crisis in FY22/23) this is the highest LTM EBITDA in the last 10 years. Revenue continues to grow, mainly due to the Polish business.
- The Polish business has outperformed, which has resulted in a higher potential liability from the put option for the 20% not owned by Rekeep. Rekeep accounts for this in their liabilities, albeit the higher EBITDA forecasts that caused this increase have not yet materialised. Ignoring the put option, leverage is 3.8x. Therefore, LTM basis leverage has optically increased, it should be stable on a forward basis.
- The Company is still confident of making announcements this year concerning the upcoming 2026 bonds. However, partial or full refinancing will require an improved commercial performance that has underperformed in prior years. Rekeep management expects to bridge this gap in H2, but limited details on exactly how.
Any concerns?:
- Our main concern is the recent underperformance of contract wins in Italy, especially from the New Market segment. Q2 levels were significantly below historical levels, and YTD numbers are tracking significantly behind prior years. Management talked positively about closing the gap during Q3 and Q4 but with no concrete reasons shared.
- There is still a large pipeline of tenders still pending as of June to enable Rekeep to recover, but actual success rates in Q2 were underwhelming. Rekeep won 30% of all tenders (in number) in Q2, but only 8% by multi-year value. This compares to c.30% of tenders in terms of value and number in Q1 (FY23 was c. 35% by number and 28% by value).
We have requested a call with management to further explore the reasons behind the poor tendering performance in Q2 and to clarify our analysis of the split between the Italian and Polish businesses. If we have any meaningful update we will share it with you.
Happy to discuss this further.
Tomás
E: tmannion@sarria.co.uk
T: +44 20 3744 7009
www.sarria.co.uk