Pihlajalinna - Strategy execution set to continue

Pihlajalinna’s Q4 EBIT was soft relative to estimates, but in our view the issue is temporary; Pihlajalinna continues its strategy execution with the acquisition of Pohjola Hospital.

We view the Q4 cost challenge as a temporary issue

Pihlajalinna’s top line grew at a 13% y/y rate. The EUR 155m figure was well in line with the EUR 156m/152m Evli/cons. estimates. Covid-19 services still amounted to a high EUR 10.1m, only a small q/q decline, but the level is set to fade this year. Q4 EBIT was hit by a spike in specialized care costs within complete outsourcing contracts, induced by Covid-19, and the effect amounted to some EUR 2m. The EUR 6.0m adj. EBIT therefore didn’t meet the EUR 9.2m/8.8m Evli/cons. estimates. Pihlajalinna has been negotiating for compensation for increased production costs before and expects to get favorable outcomes this year.

Growth and profitability targets set the bar high

Pohjola Hospital’s FY ’21 figures improved a bit, but EBIT was still EUR 7m red. Pihlajalinna sees EUR 5m in cost synergies and expects break-even during the year; H1 is still soft but H2 could already show results. The acquisition drives growth within private and insurance customers and thus helps margins as these areas are more profitable than public ones. Pihlajalinna revised its long-term financial targets accordingly: the new aim is above 9% EBITA margin and EUR 250m more revenue by the end of 2025 (compared to 2021), which in our view implies ca. 7.5% CAGR for the three years following the closing of the acquisition. Two thirds of the growth is to stem from corporate and private customers, segments where the acquisition is to prove useful. The profitability target can be seen as a small positive revision on the previous one; it will take some time for Pihlajalinna to reach that level, but we estimate by inferring from the guidance that Pihlajalinna could reach 7.5% EBITA margin already in H2’22. The company targets 4-6% margins within outsourcing, while other areas aim for levels comparable with those of Terveystalo.

Overall valuation picture hasn’t been altered

The acquisition limits profitability in H1’22, but Pihlajalinna is valued only around 6-8x EV/EBITDA and 12-18x EV/EBIT on our FY ’22-23 estimates. The multiples represent discounts to peers while our estimates remain moderate relative to long-term potential. We retain our EUR 14 TP and BUY rating.

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