New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm

Forsyth Barr

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.

New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm, Forsyth Barr

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>We upgrade our rating on ​​​​​​​Auckland Airport (AIA) to NEUTRAL from UNDERPERFORM due to: (1) earnings upgrades following the FY24 result, (2) reduced regulatory risk following the Commerce Commission's (ComCom) recent interim report on AIA's aeronautical pricing (PSE4), and (3) recent relative share price underperformance, despite softening bond rates. AIA's FY24 result was broadly in line with market expectations, though first time FY25 earnings guidance leads us to materially lift our NPAT estimates, despite only marginal increases in operating income.</li><li>The pax recovery may be lagging, but the earnings recovery remains in full swing. Both FY24 EBITDA and NPAT are above FY19 levels.</li><li>AIA currently trades at ~20x one year forward EV/EBITDA and ~36x PE. Its valuation premium, relative to the domestic market and other infrastructure players, remains above historical levels (justified by a higher RAB and valuation multiple, now applicable for its aeronautical assets), but has retreated to levels that we are more comfortable with.  </li></ul>

We upgrade our rating on ​​​​​​​Auckland Airport (AIA) to NEUTRAL from UNDERPERFORM due to: (1) earnings upgrades following the FY24 result, (2) reduced regulatory risk following the Commerce Commission's (ComCom) recent interim report on AIA's aeronautical pricing (PSE4), and (3) recent relative share price underperformance, despite softening bond rates. AIA's FY24 result was broadly in line with market expectations, though first time FY25 earnings guidance leads us to materially lift our NPAT estimates, despite only marginal increases in operating income.The pax recovery may be lagging, but the earnings recovery remains in full swing. Both FY24 EBITDA and NPAT are above FY19 levels.AIA currently trades at ~20x one year forward EV/EBITDA and ~36x PE. Its valuation premium, relative to the domestic market and other infrastructure players, remains above historical levels (justified by a higher RAB and valuation multiple, now applicable for its aeronautical assets), but has retreated to levels that we are more comfortable with.  

Auckland Airport - FY24 — Capex Has Taken-Off

Auckland Intl Airport

Auckland Airport - FY24 — Capex Has Taken-Off