Disinfecting the hospitals of Europe, Australia and Asia has proved very lucrative for Tristel (TSTL). Overseas revenue leapt 43 per cent in the year to June 2017, meaning non-UK sales now make up just under half of the overall top line, up from 39 per cent 12 months ago.
Changes are also brewing in the revenue contribution of various products. Tristel is reducing sales of generic alcohol and ammonium disinfectants in favour of chlorine dioxide products that have no competition worldwide. Chlorine products have risen to 82 per cent of sales.
This changing structure stumped the animal health division and slowed sales in the domestic market, but Tristel continues impress financially. After stripping out share-based payments, pre-tax profit rose 24 per cent to £4.1m and operating cash inflows remain at over 100 per cent of operating profit.
With these characteristically strong numbers, investors may have been disappointed not to see a special dividend. But management has other plans for its excess cash. In 2018, the group is likely to acquire another overseas commercial platform to sell products directly in more countries. Bringing distribution in house in Australia has doubled the margin there. Before considering the potential for earnings-enhancing acquisitions, broker finnCap has forecast pre-tax profit of £4.4m, giving EPS of 8.3p for the June 2018 year-end (from £4m and 8.1p in FY2017).
| TRISTEL (TSTL) | ||||
| ORD PRICE: | 288p | MARKET VALUE: | £123m | |
| TOUCH: | 280-295p | 12-MONTH HIGH: | 323p | LOW: 143p |
| DIVIDEND YIELD: | 1.4% | PE RATIO: | 36 | |
| NET ASSET VALUE: | 37p* | NET CASH: | £5.1m | |
| Year to | Turnover | Pre-tax | Earnings | Dividend ** |
| 30 Jun | (£m) | profit (£m) | per share (p) | per share (p) |
| 2013 | 10.6 | -1.8 | -3.2 | 0.40 |
| 2014 | 13.5 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 1.62 |
| 2015 | 15.3 | 1.8 | 5.4 | 2.72 |
| 2016 | 17.1 | 2.6 | 5.0 | 3.33 |
| 2017 | 20.3 | 4.0 | 8.1 | 4.03 |
| % change | +19 | +53 | +61 | +21 |
| Ex-div: | 16 Nov | |||
| Payment: | 15 Dec | |||
*Includes intangible assets of £1.7m, or 3.9p a share **Special dividends of 3p a share paid in both Aug 2015 and 2016 | ||||
