Coats Group PLC (CGGGF) (H1 2024) Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue Growth: Reported revenues up 7%, with an 8% increase in constant currency terms.

  • Apparel Division Revenue: 14% growth in constant currency.

  • Footwear Division Revenue: 7% growth in constant currency.

  • Recycled Products Revenue: 141% growth, reaching $159 million in the half.

  • Adjusted EBIT Margin: 18%, up 250 basis points.

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow: $59 million.

  • EPS Growth: 27% increase in earnings per share.

  • Interim Dividend: Increased by 15% to $0.0093 per share.

  • Net Debt: $381 million, with leverage at 1.4 times.

  • Apparel Division EBIT Margin: 19.1%, up 310 basis points.

  • Footwear Division EBIT Margin: 24.1%, up 340 basis points.

  • Performance Materials Revenue: 3% decline in the half.

  • Performance Materials EBIT Margin: 8.3%, with a pro forma margin of 10.5% excluding certain costs.

Release Date: August 01, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Coats Group PLC (CGGGF) reported a strong revenue growth of 7% in the first half, with an 8% increase in constant currency terms.

  • The company achieved a significant milestone with a 141% growth in recycled products, contributing $159 million in revenue.

  • Coats Group PLC (CGGGF) delivered an 18% adjusted EBIT margin, the best since rejoining the London Stock Exchange in 2015.

  • The company generated a healthy $59 million adjusted free cash flow, supported by market recovery and improved operating results.

  • The Board increased the interim dividend by 15%, reflecting confidence in the business strategy and strong cash generation capabilities.

Negative Points

  • Performance materials division faced challenges due to customer phasing issues in some US end markets, impacting revenue.

  • The company experienced a 3% revenue decline in the performance materials division in the first half.

  • There are ongoing operational challenges in ramping up production at the new plant in Toluca, Mexico.

  • The performance materials division's adjusted EBIT margin was lower due to under-recovered costs related to production transition.

  • The US market remains cautious, with expected positive momentum only anticipated in the first quarter of next year.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Could we talk a little bit about the shape of sales growth in H2, considering the challenging comps? A: Rajiv Sharma, Group CEO, explained that they expect a slow, gradual recovery with each quarter slightly better than the previous one. While the comps get harder in the second half, the trend is consistent with their previous predictions of a gradual recovery.