Suominen - Results finally on the horizon?
Focus will be on the gross margin and volume dynamics
Gross margin continued to decline in Q4, hitting a low of 6.2%. We expect the Q1 gross margin at 7.0% (vs 7.4% a year ago). With the onset of nonwovens price hikes and recent declines in raw materials prices the gross margin is bound to increase, yet it is hard to say to what extent volumes might have been lost. We are forecasting 5% y/y volume decline for Q1. We expect Q1 revenue at EUR 116m (8% y/y increase) and adj. EBIT at EUR 2.0m, or 1.8% margin (vs EUR 1.5m and 1.5% a year ago). Our forecast could be topped on the gross margin level as input prices have been weaker than expected. However, we leave our operative estimates unchanged as the gross margin positives and volume negatives should cancel each other out on the absolute gross profit level.
First quarter with the new CEO behind the wheel
Mr. Petri Helsky (previously CEO of Metsä Tissue) has held the seat as Suominen’s President & CEO since Jan 7. Suominen guides flat revenue and improving adj. EBIT for 2019. We expect 2019 revenue to increase by 3% (mostly due to FX), and EBIT at EUR 12.5m (EUR 4.6m) as gross profit is set to improve.
Estimates remain largely intact, FX basically flat
We retain our HOLD rating and target price of EUR 2.40 per share ahead of the Q1 report. We stay cautious for now despite expected gross margin improvement as it is unclear how much volume might be lost. Peer group multiples have gained sharply in recent months, meaning there is solid upside potential should Suominen manage to turn around earnings trajectory in 2019.