AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Nick Scali Limited (ASX:NCK) is into the business of retail furniture with operations of retailing and importing furniture to its customers. The company operates through a brand name of Nick Scali, with more than fifty outlets in Australian and New Zealand. The company provides household furniture and related accessories which includes lounges, occasional furniture, coffee table, TV units, buffets and cabinets, and rugs.
On 6 February 2019, the company presented its 1H FY19 results. Among the key metrics. the sales increased by 10.3% to $141.1 million 1H FY19 compared to $128.0 million in 1H FY18; however, the like for like sales remained flat. The opening of new stores primarily drove the sales and net profit growth. The top-line was primarily driven by full year's contribution from 6 stores opened in FY18 and received a smaller contribution from four new stores opened in 1H FY19. The gross margin increased by 20 bps to 62.8% compared to 62.6% in 1HY18.Â
The EBITDA of the company were reported at $38.2 million up 7.5% for the half year. The net profit after tax increased by 8.0% to $25.4 million compared to $23.5m in 1H FY18. The operating expenses increased by 90 bps to 36.1% of sales as compared to 35.2% in 1H FY18, mainly driven by the timing of new store openings and inflationary cost increases in stores with flat sales growth. The Board of Directors declared fully franked interim dividend of 25.0 cps in 1HFY19, representing the pay-out ratio of 80%. It will be paid on 27 March 2019 with the record date of 6 March 2019.
The company has maintained a robust cash position. The net cash increased by $1.6 million to $4.5m as compared to $2.9m in FY18. The operating cash flow increased as a result of sales and profit increases with no major increase to working capital outflows. Total inventory was recorded at $37.1 million, up $0.9 million on the back of new store openings and a corresponding increase in stock in transit. The payables are down by $4.5 million compared to FY18; however, it is in line with HY18, due to customer deposits balance.
On the operational front, the company opened four new stores during the period. It launched bedroom and bedding category successfully during December 2018 in twenty-four stores, and it has a target to open two further stores during the second half of FY19. Further, it targets a long-term store network of over eighty stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Now let us quickly have a glance at Nick Scali Limitedâs stock performance and the return it has posted over the last few months. The stock is currently trading at a price of $5.560 and significantly increased by almost 8.527% during the dayâs trade, with a market capitalization of ~$417.96 million. The stock opened at $5.620 with a dayâs low at $5.540 and a dayâs high price of $5.965. The stock has generated a YTD return of 0.98% and posted returns of -14.57%, 1.98% and 1.18% over the last six months, three months and one-month period respectively. It has a 52-week high price of $7.340 and a 52-week low of $4.80. The stock is trading at a PE multiple of 10.20x.
Disclaimer
This website is a service of Kalkine Media Pty. Ltd. A.C.N. 629 651 672. The website has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a complete source of information on any particular company. Kalkine Media does not in any way endorse or recommend individuals, products or services that may be discussed on this site. Our publications are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold. We are neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice.
