Scanfil - Higher multiples are warranted

Scanfil’s Q4 results fell slightly short of our expectations, yet overall there were no significant changes in the wider picture. The HASEC acquisition helped Industrial as well as Medtec & Life Science top line, however both segments extended strong organic growth. Scanfil aims to grow at a 5% organic CAGR according to its updated long-term target; in our view there’s still good upside to current multiples. Our TP is now EUR 5.75 (5.25), remain BUY.

All segments continued to grow except Communication

Scanfil’s EUR 155m Q4 revenue didn’t quite meet our EUR 159m estimate yet grew by 10% y/y. The Industrial segment (key accounts include Kone) jumped by a third in Q4 (Q3 y/y growth was 52%), and so the EUR 47m revenue almost met our EUR 51m estimate. Scanfil says the performance has been due to organic growth but the HASEC acquisition also helped. Medtec & Life Science (potential customers include Thermo Fisher Scientific and Vaisala) top line grew by 17% y/y and so was in line with our EUR 29m estimate. Scanfil says the segment grew mostly in an organic fashion, receiving only slight lift from the German acquisition. Energy & Automation (e.g. Valmet) continued to grow at a stable organic 6% annual rate. Consumer Applications has stabilized for two quarters now, but the business is rather seasonal. Communication (e.g. Nokia) fell by 24%, yet Scanfil says the segment could well stabilize this year. Scanfil’s Q4 operating margin, at 6.5%, was 60bps below our estimate; we still think the company will easily reach its 7% long-run target.

Scanfil targets 5% organic CAGR during the next four years

We estimate Scanfil has grown at a 6% organic rate during the last two quarters. Considering Scanfil’s strong cost, quality and delivery record we view the company’s 5% CAGR target as highly feasible, especially given a good positioning in Industrial and Medtec & Life Science, which we estimate to contribute some two-thirds of all the organic growth going forward.

In our view Scanfil can be valued above peer multiples

Although lowish valuation multiples are in general well-advised for contract electronics manufacturers, in our view Scanfil’s strong profitability track record as well as organic growth outlook justify higher than the current 6x EV/EBITDA and 8x EV/EBIT ‘20e multiples. Our new TP is EUR 5.75 (5.25), retain BUY.

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