Full year trading at Imperial Brands has been in line with expectations, with tobacco net revenue improving in the second half driven by pricing. The return of international travel has led to a return of more normal buying patterns driving volume declines, particularly in Northern Europe.
Imperial sees ''good progress'' in its revamped line of next generation products, led by market share gains in the heated tobacco offerings.
In line with previous guidance, full-year net revenue and underlying operating profit are both expected to grow by around 1%, ignoring the effect of exchange rates.
Management has announced a £1bn share buyback to be completed over the next 12 months.
The shares rose 3.6% following the announcement.
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Our view
As the second year of Imperial Brands' refreshed strategy ends, it's refreshing to see signs of real progress. For the first time in several years, the group's set to gain overall market share. That's all testament to the narrowed in focus on core markets and a more disciplined approach to capital allocation.
There's more good news for investors, with net debt comfortably within the group's target of 2-2.5 times earnings a £1bn buyback has been announced along with commitment from management to extend buybacks into the future. That's in addition to the existing dividend policy. Remember, no returns are guaranteed.
That makes profit growth the main area of focus and that's something that's been hard to come by. Price increases in traditional tobacco products have been able to prop up sales despite declining volumes. For now, strong pricing's enough to give management confidence they can grow underlying operating profit in the mid-single single range on a compound basis over the next few years.
But whilst that'll keep cash flowing, growth in the cigarettes market's unlikely to get much more exciting.
Imperial aren't alone in that, though, the entire industry's jostling for position in the up-and-coming Next Generation Products (NGPs) market, including products like heated tobacco and vape.
It's not been an easy start from Imperial. Management responded to its NGPs' lukewarm reception by exiting unprofitable markets, homing in on those it felt had more potential. It's early doors, but trials look promising and broader rollout for vape and heated tobacco products is underway.
Investment in these new products will weigh on performance in the short term, and the NGP division is loss making. It's the right move if a narrowed focus helps the group build out successful cigarette-alternatives, but there's a long way to go before these products start to make a meaningful positive impact on performance.
As the smallest of the four tobacco giants, rumours often swirl that Imperial will get bought out by one of the bigger players. This isn't imminent though - and we think competition regulators would prove a major hurdle given the already high degree of market concentration.
The other important thing to consider with tobacco stocks is that many institutional investors can't, or won't, invest in the sector. This may mean that the shares are rated lower than the outlook for the industry really warrants, but it's hard to see attitudes changing and valuations recovering. An investment case should therefore be generally built around the dividend yield, which is currently substantial, and the NGP prospects.
It's promising to see some tangible results from the revitalised business plan, and investors are being rewarded for sticking with it. But Imperial still has plenty of work to do to catch up with rivals who have much more evolved next generation product ranges. That's reflected in a valuation sitting below it's 10 year average and there are plenty of ifs and buts for now.
Imperial Brands key facts
All ratios are sourced from Refinitiv. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn't be looked at on their own - it's important to understand the big picture.
Half Year Results (17 May 2022, ignoring effect of exchange rates)
Half year revenue, excluding duties and the impact of exchange rates, rose 0.3% to £3.5bn. Tobacco revenue rose 0.1% as higher prices were able to offset a 0.7% decline in volumes. Next Generation Products (NGP) reported 8.7% net revenue growth, driven by a strong performance in Europe.
Underlying operating profit rose 2.9% to £1.6bn as NGP losses reduced by 49.9%.
The group remains on track to deliver full-year net revenue growth of around 0-1% and underlying operating profit growth of 1%.
The board announced an interim dividend of 42.54p, 1% higher than last year.
In Europe, revenue fell 2.2% to £1.6bn. That was driven by the unwinding of some favourable conditions seen during lockdowns and the return of travel. The group gained market share in the UK but lost in Germany and Spain. Price increases in the UK and Germany should feed into a better price performance in the second half of the year. NGP revenue rose 44.7%, although that wasn't enough to offset falling tobacco revenue and underlying operating profit fell 7.3% to £671m.
The Americas saw revenue rise 2.2% to £1.2bn, driven by strong cigarette performance in the US despite an overall industry volume decline. NGP revenue dropped 28.1% as competition heats up and discounted prices take their toll. Underling operating profit rose 6.0% to £453m, benefiting from market share gains and lower NGP costs.
Africa, Asia and Australasia saw revenue 3.1% higher to £766m. The group gained market share in the region's key Australian market, aided by the launch of Lambert & Butler as a better value offering. NGP revenue fell to zero, following the exit from underperforming markets in Japan and Russia. Underling operating profit rose 25.8% to £357m.
Distribution posted revenue of £502m, down 0.6%. That comes as strong performance in Iberia was more than offset by weakness in France and Italy. Underlying operating profits grew 1.0% to £119m.
The group realised a charge of £201m over the period relating to the disposal of its Russian business.
Free cash flow for the period came in at £336m, helping net debt reduce by £1.2bn to £9.8bn. The ratio of underling net debt, which excludes lease liabilities, to cash profits (EBITDA) dropped to 2.4 times. The group's on track to reduce that to the lower end of 2.0-2.5 times.
This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by Refinitiv. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.
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