Halma’s (HLMA) enviable track record remained firmly intact after an undeniably strong set of full-year numbers. Record revenue and profit for the past 11 years; operating margin above 16 per cent for 29 years in a row; dividend increases of at least 5 per cent for 35 years, and rising sales in 38 of the past 40 years. These are important reminders why shares in the acquisitive engineer deserve to trade at a significant premium to those of peers, and reasons why the price has further to rise.
Every core regional market and each of Halma's four divisions grew organically last year. Sales in China were up over a quarter to £47m, helped by the acquisition of syringe and gear pump maker Longer Pump. "We expect to see good organic growth and acquisitions there in future," chief executive Andrew Williams told the Investors Chronicle. That's unsurprising given that China's health system, environmental controls and workplace safety are government priorities. Sales of pressure release devices to fracking companies are flying off the shelves, too.
With a £100m of recent acquisitions to bed-in, broker Investec Securities expects adjusted pre-tax profit of £153m in 2015, giving adjusted EPS of 30.8p (from £140m/28.5p in 2013).
HALMA (HLMA) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORD PRICE: | 619p | MARKET VALUE: | £2.34bn | |
| TOUCH: | 618-619p | 12-MONTH HIGH: | 630p | LOW: 477p |
| DIVIDEND YIELD: | 1.8% | PE RATIO: | 22 | |
| NET ASSET VALUE: | 129p* | NET DEBT: | 15% | |
| Year to 29 Mar | Turnover (£m) | Pre-tax profit (£m) | Earnings per share (p) | Dividend per share (p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 459 | 81 | 16.1 | 8.5 |
| 2011 | 518 | 98 | 19.2 | 9.1 |
| 2012 | 580 | 112 | 23.0 | 9.74 |
| 2013 | 619 | 120 | 24.8 | 10.43 |
| 2014 | 677 | 139 | 28.1 | 11.17 |
| % change | +9 | +16 | +13 | +7 |
Ex-div: 16 Jul Payment: 20 Aug *Includes intangible assets of £448m, or 119p a share | ||||
