Computershare

Computershare (CPU)

Stock Code

CPU

Stock Exchange

ax

Computershare Limited (CPU) is a financial market service and technologies provider to other listed companies, exchanges, investors and financial institutions from its offices located in five different continents. In addition, Computershare operates through an international network in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Channel Islands, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, USA and Hong Kong. Computershare Limited was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on the 27th of May 1994. Its annual revenue reaches approximately $1 billion from its issued capital of approximately $2 million.

Computershare Profits $94.8m Down, 15%


Australian-based shareholder services provider, Computershare (ASX:CPU), released its first half profit results to the stock market.

  • Computershare Net Profit of $94.8 million for the six months to December 31, down 15.2 percent on the previous corresponding period.
  • CPU revenue $976.8 million, up 26.1 percent.

Australian Profit Announcement Season Summary


ComputerShare

Share registry services provider Computershare Ltd's (ASX:CPU) full year profit fell by 10.4 percent while net profit dropped to $264.09 million for the 12 months to June 30 from $294.76 million last year. Revenue was flat from the previous year at $1.604 billion. ComputerShare declared final dividend of 14 cents per share, 60 per cent franked, unchanged from last year.

Dominos

ComputerShare stocks rise after acquisition of BNY Mellon


Computershare Limited's (ASX:CPU) stock rose at 8 percent yesterday as it promises to restore Bank of New York Mellon's shareholder services. The share registry operator expects to earn $US70 million in synergy benefits in the third year of ownership.

Winners of the Week


Suncorp-Metway Limited (SUN), an Australia based financial services group that concentrates in the insurance, retail services, funds management products, provision of banking, superannuation, and corporate and commercial sector (market capitalisation $11501.6 million) was the best performer of the 3rd week in ASX100 with a gain of 3.3 percent or 29 cents closing the week at $9.05.

Felix Resources (FLX)


Felix Resources (FLX) was the overall best performing stock taking in a 18.86 percent increase. Among the best performing stocks for the week 21 of 2008 on the Australian sharemarket were a mixture of financial and communication services, energy, gold mining, coal mining, and oil: Computershare (CPU), Paladin Energy (PDN), Lihir Gold (LHG), Felix Resources (FLX), AED Oil (AED), Centennial Coal ( CEY). The best performing stocks for the week 21 managed gains above 8.06 percent by the end of the trading week.

Fortescue: Best Performing Stock for the Week 46 of 2007


Fortescue was the overall best performing stock taking in a 15.72 percent increase. It was a mixture of metal & mineral, securities services, pharmaceuticals and mining that were among the best performing stocks for the Australian sharemarket for week 46 of 2007: Fortescue Metals (FMG), Computershare (CPU), Sigma Pharmaceutical (SIP), Iluka Resources (ILU). These best performing stocks managed gains over 9.93 percent by the end of the trading week.

Rio Tinto: Best Performer for Week 45 of 2007


Rio Tinto (RIO) was the overall best performing stock taking in a 17.9 percent increase. Among the best performing stocks for the past week (week 45 of 2007) on the Australian sharemarket were a mixture of mining, technology and farming products manufacturers: Rio Tinto (RIO), Newcrest (NCM), Computershare (CPU), Bolnisi Gold (BSG), Nufarm (NUF). The above stocks secured gains higher than 7.5 percent at the end of the trading week.

Henderson Group (HDI)


Henderson Group (HDI) was the overall worst performing stock taking in a 20.19 percent decrease. It was a mixture of energy, securities management, asset management, steel and financial services who were among the worst performing stocks for the week 42 of 2007 on the Australian sharemarket: AGL Energy (AGK), Computershare (CPU), BlueScope Steel (BSL), Henderson Cdi (HGI), City Pacific (CIY). Financial services providers were the majority of the worst performing stocks for the past week.

Computershare (CPU) Update


Computershare (CPU) was one of the star performers during the recent reporting season, beating market expectations at its 1st half result, according to analsyst Macquarie Research Equities. On Friday, Computershare management held an investor briefing in Melbourne to update the market on the company's progress. On the back of Friday's briefing, the analyst has made slight increases to their 2007 and 2008 Earnings Per Share (EPS) forecasts. No specific financial metrics were discussed, however, the tone of the presentations was positive reflecting the group's leverage to the cyclical momentum in M&A. The analyst's earnings upgrades in 2H07 largely reflect higher corporate action revenue assumptions from transactions that occurred in 1H07 (Verizon, AT&T). Analyst's FY07 EPS growth is now 56%, above management's guidance of 50%. In 2008, +13% FY08 EPS growth reflects the lagged revenue impact of share registry clean-ups (which may occur up to 18 months post the transaction), price increases and modest acquisitive growth.
The entry of a private equity competitor in the Australian share registry market has improved price rationale. Similarly, price increases on contract renewals are expected in the UK following three consecutive years of price declines, as the Lloyd's share registry business is likely to end up in the hands of private equity. Private equity owners are more likely to display price discipline, with a heightened focus on profit orientation rather than cross-subsidisation. While this has positive implications for pricing, the market's appreciation for CPU has historically been due to its ability to deliver EPS accretive acquisitions more so than deliver modest price increases on contract renewals. With the Mellon and Bank of New York merger and the likely sale of Lloyd's share registry business to private equity players, the ability for CPU to make material acquisitions in the share registry space will be difficult. It should come as no surprise that CPU is unable to participate in the Lloyd’s bidding process due to competition issues. With Link's acquisitive appetite in global share registry businesses, there is increased competitive bidding tension. By way of illustration, CPU's acquisition policy was "to pay no more than 6x EBITDA multiple" whereas "private equity players are now paying more than 10x".
Given CPU's strong cashflow generation and undergeared balance sheet, the analyst estimates that the group has the capacity to fund further capital management or acquisitions, with an estimated US$700m debt capacity, based on management’s target of net debt to management EBITDA of 3x (0.97x currently). Outside of smaller share registry acquisitions, further acquisitions are likely to be in areas where CPU can leverage its strengths (albeit lower synergies) in administration such as employee plans and unit funds administration.

Syndicate content

Recommended Websites