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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>We have reviewed our Steel and Tube (STU) earnings forecasts after the recent softer tone to a number of business surveys and our own channel checks that have highlighted stable but not yet improving NZ activity after some green shoots over the first few months of the year.</li><li>While this has resulted in cuts to our near-term estimates, we still expect a pick-up in activity over FY25.</li><li>STU is well positioned for both a continuation of soft activity as well as any rebound in demand, with cost out initiatives progressing well, inventory now largely normalised, and net cash on its balance sheet. </li></ul>

We have reviewed our Steel and Tube (STU) earnings forecasts after the recent softer tone to a number of business surveys and our own channel checks that have highlighted stable but not yet improving NZ activity after some green shoots over the first few months of the year.While this has resulted in cuts to our near-term estimates, we still expect a pick-up in activity over FY25.STU is well positioned for both a continuation of soft activity as well as any rebound in demand, with cost out initiatives progressing well, inventory now largely normalised, and net cash on its balance sheet. 

Steel & Tube Holdings - Recasting Our Estimates

<ul><li>As expected, Steel and Tube's (STU) 1H24 result was soft with lower volumes partially offset by better margins and cost control.</li><li>Sequentially, EBIT was largely flat vs. 2H23, which is a solid outcome given headline volumes were down a further -5% (-10% on a tonnes per day basis). </li><li>Cost out initiatives have progressed well, inventory has now largely normalised, and with net cash on its balance sheet STU is well positioned for both a continuation of soft activity as well as any rebound in demand. </li></ul>

As expected, Steel and Tube's (STU) 1H24 result was soft with lower volumes partially offset by better margins and cost control.Sequentially, EBIT was largely flat vs. 2H23, which is a solid outcome given headline volumes were down a further -5% (-10% on a tonnes per day basis). Cost out initiatives have progressed well, inventory has now largely normalised, and with net cash on its balance sheet STU is well positioned for both a continuation of soft activity as well as any rebound in demand. 

Steel & Tube Holdings - 1H24 Result — Solid Foundations

Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

Equity Research Firm

<ul><li>Steel and Tube's (STU) trading update highlighted that, as expected, operating conditions remain challenging in 1H24.</li><li>While volumes remain under pressure, solid pricing discipline and cost management has seen STU guide to 1H24 EBIT being broadly flat on 2H23.</li><li>Forward indicators are improving and we continue to expect some pick-up in 2H24, but there is a risk that this will be slower to translate into activity than expected. </li></ul>

Steel and Tube's (STU) trading update highlighted that, as expected, operating conditions remain challenging in 1H24.While volumes remain under pressure, solid pricing discipline and cost management has seen STU guide to 1H24 EBIT being broadly flat on 2H23.Forward indicators are improving and we continue to expect some pick-up in 2H24, but there is a risk that this will be slower to translate into activity than expected. 

Steel & Tube Holdings - The Cycle Grinds On

<ul><li>Steel and Tube's (STU) FY23 result was in line with recent guidance and our expectations. It was a tale of two halves and two divisions.</li><li>Volume declines accelerated significantly in the second half.</li><li>This was most acutely felt in the Distribution division while structural improvement in Infrastructure saw earnings lift. </li></ul>

Steel and Tube's (STU) FY23 result was in line with recent guidance and our expectations. It was a tale of two halves and two divisions.Volume declines accelerated significantly in the second half.This was most acutely felt in the Distribution division while structural improvement in Infrastructure saw earnings lift. 

Steel & Tube Holdings - FY23 Result — Tale of Two Halves

<ul><li>Macro challenges offset through cost controls: STU upgraded its EBIT guidance by +5% at the midpoint to NZ$31m–32m.</li><li>Inventory unwinding drives debt reduction: STU's focus on its balance sheet and running down inventory has reduced net debt by c.-NZ$50m on FY22 and resulted in net cash of NZ$6.5m at FY23. </li><li>More cyclical pressures on the horizon: FY24 is likely to be another challenging year. While STU's key non-residential exposure remains robust we expect some deterioration as higher interest rates pressure commercial development feasibilities. </li></ul>

Macro challenges offset through cost controls: STU upgraded its EBIT guidance by +5% at the midpoint to NZ$31m–32m.Inventory unwinding drives debt reduction: STU's focus on its balance sheet and running down inventory has reduced net debt by c.-NZ$50m on FY22 and resulted in net cash of NZ$6.5m at FY23. More cyclical pressures on the horizon: FY24 is likely to be another challenging year. While STU's key non-residential exposure remains robust we expect some deterioration as higher interest rates pressure commercial development feasibilities. 

Steel & Tube Holdings: Steeling the Limelight

New Zealand

Steel & Tube Holdings Limited produces and distributes steel throughout New Zealand and its products include steel fasteners, nuts, bolts and screws.  The Company's other activities include steel reinforcing.

Steel & Tube Holdings (STU NZ)

Steel & Tube Holdings - Recasting Our Estimates

On our revised estimates, STU trades on a 10.5x one year forward PE, which is in-line with its long-run average. NEUTRAL.

Forsyth Barr

Steel & Tube Holdings - 1H24 Result — Solid Foundations

Sequentially, EBIT was largely flat vs. 2H23, which is a solid outcome given headline volumes were down a further -5% (-10% on a tonnes per day...

Forsyth Barr

Steel & Tube Holdings - The Cycle Grinds On

While volumes remain under pressure, solid pricing discipline and cost management has seen STU guide to 1H24 EBIT being broadly flat on 2H23.

Water Tower Research

Steel & Tube Holdings - FY23 Result — Tale of Two Halves

Steel and Tube's (STU) FY23 result was in line with recent guidance and our expectations. It was a tale of two halves and two divisions.

Forsyth Barr

Steel & Tube Holdings: Steeling the Limelight

Steel and Tube (STU) lifted its FY23 earnings guidance slightly as cost-out initiatives and stable gross margin dollars per tonne offset softer...

Forsyth Barr