New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm, Forsyth Barr

Forsyth Barr

New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm

We are proud to be a New Zealand owned firm, with 21 offices throughout the country and over 300 employees. We assist personal, institutional and corporate clients providing a full range of investment services.

Forsyth Barr is a foundation New Zealand Exchange firm (NZX) and accredited market participant. We have been confirmed by the Financial Markets Authority as a Qualifying Financial Entity (QFE).

Research is the cornerstone of our advice. We have one of New Zealand's leading teams of analysts. Our global affiliations ensure comprehensive research coverage of all major investment markets.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div><div><div><div><ul><li>The government has announced 149 projects to be included in its Fast-Track Approvals Bill, expected to pass later this year.</li><li>This has the potential to give a much needed injection of energy into the downbeat NZ economy.</li><li>Paired with all but certain continued interest rate cuts, the contours of an economic recovery are starting to take shape.</li></ul></div></div></div></div>

The government has announced 149 projects to be included in its Fast-Track Approvals Bill, expected to pass later this year.This has the potential to give a much needed injection of energy into the downbeat NZ economy.Paired with all but certain continued interest rate cuts, the contours of an economic recovery are starting to take shape.

New Zealand Moving Out of the Slow Lane - Fast-Track Approvals Welcome News

<ul><li>September 2024 was a strong month for some, but a soft month for others.</li><li>Replenishment of the hydro lakes was a welcome relief for the sector, but hedge contracts designed to protect downside risk from ongoing dry conditions has seen Meridian Energy (MEL) struggle.</li><li>Contact Energy (CEN) and Mercury (MCY) have benefitted the most in the short-term from the rapid change in conditions. </li></ul>

September 2024 was a strong month for some, but a soft month for others.Replenishment of the hydro lakes was a welcome relief for the sector, but hedge contracts designed to protect downside risk from ongoing dry conditions has seen Meridian Energy (MEL) struggle.Contact Energy (CEN) and Mercury (MCY) have benefitted the most in the short-term from the rapid change in conditions. 

Power Points - Water Works Wonders​​​​​​​ — October 2024

<ul><li>We upgrade Mercury (MCY) to OUTPERFORM from NEUTRAL, as it is offering good value relative to Meridian Energy (MEL) in particular, and we expect near-term FY25 EBITDAF earnings will be better than guidance following recent rain.</li><li>Since 2018 MEL has always traded at a premium to its peers, but is currently trading at a near record premium using our preferred EV/EBITDAF less stay-in-business (SIB) capex metric.</li><li>Looking at the three largest generator/retailers, MEL's equity value is greater than Contact Energy (CEN) and MCY combined, and yet CEN and MCY's combined businesses generate over 30% more electricity and earnings than MEL. </li></ul>

We upgrade Mercury (MCY) to OUTPERFORM from NEUTRAL, as it is offering good value relative to Meridian Energy (MEL) in particular, and we expect near-term FY25 EBITDAF earnings will be better than guidance following recent rain.Since 2018 MEL has always traded at a premium to its peers, but is currently trading at a near record premium using our preferred EV/EBITDAF less stay-in-business (SIB) capex metric.Looking at the three largest generator/retailers, MEL's equity value is greater than Contact Energy (CEN) and MCY combined, and yet CEN and MCY's combined businesses generate over 30% more electricity and earnings than MEL. 

Electricity Sector - MCY Shining Brighter Than MEL

<ul><li>August 2024 was one of the more eventful months for the electricity sector.</li><li>The sector was jolted into action by record high wholesale electricity prices at the beginning of the month, with electric shock treatment setting up the conditions to reverse those prices by month end.</li><li>August 2024 was also reporting season. Whilst the results were in line with expectations, the FY25 outlook for most of the companies was tempered by low hydro generation. </li></ul>

August 2024 was one of the more eventful months for the electricity sector.The sector was jolted into action by record high wholesale electricity prices at the beginning of the month, with electric shock treatment setting up the conditions to reverse those prices by month end.August 2024 was also reporting season. Whilst the results were in line with expectations, the FY25 outlook for most of the companies was tempered by low hydro generation. 

Power Points - Electric Shock Treatment Worked — Sept 2024

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>FY24 can only be described as a challenging year for Genesis Energy (GNE).</li><li>Its Unit 5 gas generation plant suffered a six month outage, the Kupe KS-9 well was unsuccessful, and FY24 followed a record hydro generation year.</li><li>Unsurprisingly, the FY24 result was well down on FY23. Current market conditions are more suited to GNE's back-up generation fleet, so FY25 is looking better, albeit the record high prices means there is a greater range of possible earnings outcomes than usual. </li></ul>

FY24 can only be described as a challenging year for Genesis Energy (GNE).Its Unit 5 gas generation plant suffered a six month outage, the Kupe KS-9 well was unsuccessful, and FY24 followed a record hydro generation year.Unsurprisingly, the FY24 result was well down on FY23. Current market conditions are more suited to GNE's back-up generation fleet, so FY25 is looking better, albeit the record high prices means there is a greater range of possible earnings outcomes than usual. 

Genesis Energy - The Only Way Is Up — FY24 Result

New Zealand

Genesis Energy Ltd. generates, transports, and retails electricity. The Company owns and operates hydroelectric generating stations to produce electricity, as well as explores natural gas and bottled liquefied petroleum gas.

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Genesis Energy (GNE NZ)

New Zealand Moving Out of the Slow Lane - Fast-Track Approvals Welcome News

The government has announced 149 projects to be included in its Fast-Track Approvals Bill, expected to pass later this year.

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Water Works Wonders — October 2024

These two stocks are our preferred of the large generator/retailers and along with Manawa Energy (MNW) are rated OUTPERFORM.

Forsyth Barr

Electricity Sector - MCY Shining Brighter Than MEL

MCY joins CEN and Manawa Energy (MNW) as our preferred electricity sector stocks with OUTPERFORM ratings. Genesis Energy (GNE) and MEL are rated...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Electric Shock Treatment Worked — Sept 2024

August 2024 was also reporting season. Whilst the results were in line with expectations, the FY25 outlook for most of the companies was tempered...

Forsyth Barr

Genesis Energy - The Only Way Is Up — FY24 Result

Its Unit 5 gas generation plant suffered a six month outage, the Kupe KS-9 well was unsuccessful, and FY24 followed a record hydro generation year.

Forsyth Barr

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

New Zealand Moving Out of the Slow Lane - Fast-Track Approvals Welcome News

The government has announced 149 projects to be included in its Fast-Track Approvals Bill, expected to pass later this year.

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Water Works Wonders​​​​​​​ — October 2024

These two stocks are our preferred of the large generator/retailers and along with Manawa Energy (MNW) are rated OUTPERFORM.

Forsyth Barr

Electricity Sector - MCY Shining Brighter Than MEL

MCY joins CEN and Manawa Energy (MNW) as our preferred electricity sector stocks with OUTPERFORM ratings. Genesis Energy (GNE) and MEL are rated...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Electric Shock Treatment Worked — Sept 2024

August 2024 was also reporting season. Whilst the results were in line with expectations, the FY25 outlook for most of the companies was tempered...

Forsyth Barr

Genesis Energy - The Only Way Is Up — FY24 Result

Its Unit 5 gas generation plant suffered a six month outage, the Kupe KS-9 well was unsuccessful, and FY24 followed a record hydro generation year.

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Water Works Wonders — October 2024