Full year results were ahead of expectations with underlying revenue of £7.5bn, up 2% when adjusted for currency changes. The benefits from the group's restructuring efforts helped underlying operating profits more than triple to £375m. This did not include £826m in restructuring costs, amortization charges and acquisition and disposal expenses.
Melrose will pay a final dividend of 1p per share bringing the total to 1.75p for the year.
In light of the crisis in Ukraine, the board has decided to push back plans to return remaining proceeds from the sale of the Brush and Nortek businesses.
The shares were down 5.2% following the announcement.
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Our View
Melrose supplies components to the aerospace and automotive industries. Both industries were upended by the pandemic and have yet to recover fully from the turmoil.
Automotive, the group's largest division, benefited from cost saving efforts which helped underlying profits rise. But supply chain issues and the semiconductor shortage kept demand from making a full recovery. Management's still targeting operating margins over 10% this year, but cost inflation has the potential to take a bite out of that forecast.
In Aerospace last year's lacklustre recovery in the travel sector weighed on results, but once again restructuring initiatives meant operating profits improved. But weakness in commercial air travel will be a drag on overall performance for the next few years. To the group's credit, some disruption will be offset by exposure to the more resilient defence sector. Melrose is working to maximise profits on this side of the business, closing down parts of the US business and exiting £140m worth of low-margin contracts.
The sale of Nortek and Brush, offered up £2.9bn, the bulk of which was used to pay down debt and reduce pension obligations. We see that as a smart move, as the new nimbler organisation will have more flexibility to cope with challenges ahead. Shareholders also got an extra 15p per share dividend, with management pledging to pass on additional returns. However uncertainty surrounding the crisis in Ukraine kept management from releasing a second instalment of cash, opting instead to maintain a safety net in case conditions worsen.
All told, the full year results told an optimistic story for Melrose, but the group's prolonged diversion from its usual shareholder returns policy is a worry.
Management's caution suggests the risk of near-term volatility is higher than the market may have expected. With a PE ratio above the long-term value, investors' expectations are high for Melrose, but with so many industry-wide headwinds out of its control it may be a challenge to live up to the hype.
Melrose 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.
Full Year Results (underlying)
Aerospace makes engine structures and electrical wiring systems for aircraft. Sales in the second half rose 18%, but pandemic-related weakness earlier in the year meant full-year revenue in Aerospace declined 9.3% to £2.5bn. Operating profits improved from £14m to £112m, reflecting the benefits of restructuring projects underway.
Automotive specialises in drive systems. Revenue was broadly flat at £3.7bn, held back by supply chain disruption, semiconductor shortages and pandemic-related headwinds. Cost control and supply chain efficiency helped operating profits more than doubled to £172m.
Powder Metallurgy, which makes metal powders and parts for automotive and industrial customers, saw revenue increase from £905m to £975m. This was driven by a recovery at the start of the year, but erratic demand patterns due to the semiconductor shortage thereafter meant sales remained below pre-pandemic levels. Operating profits increased from £39m to £91m, reflecting improved demand, cost management and the benefits of restructuring efforts.
Other Industrial sold its Brush and Nortek Control businesses, leaving behind ergonomic goods manufacturer Ergotron and hydrogen storage business GKN Hydrogen. Revenue in Other Industrial was 7.4% higher at £233m. Operating profits increased by £1m to £51m.
Free cash flow was £125m, including the cost of restructuring. This was down from £456m last year because of fewer asset sales. Net debt improved from £2.8bn last year to £950m this year, helped by disposal proceeds which allowed the group to pay down debt related to the GKN acquisition faster than expected.
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