ANALYST’S NOTE

The share price of WOW was a little weaker post the FY18 results, with the group results coming in slightly below market expectations but bang in line with our NPAT / EPS estimates.

FY18 NPAT from continuing operations came in at $1.61bn, which was +12.9% above previous corresponding period (pcp) but slightly below (-0.9%) estimates of $1.62bn. Group sales of $56.7bn (vs. estimates of $58.1bn) and operating earnings (EBIT) of $2.55bn (vs. estimates $2.57bn) also missed market expectations.

On a positive note, the Company declared a special dividend of 10cps. Management also provided a disappointing trading update, with Food sales in the first seven weeks of 1Q19 slowing, driven by customers adjusting to the removal of single-use plastic bags, the impact from competitor activity, meat/fruit/vegetable deflation and the cycling of “Earn and Learn” in the prior periods.

We maintain our Neutral recommendation. Moderating sales growth in WOW’s Food business got a bit of attention on the analysts’ conference call, however we hold no major concerns here as the main competitor (Coles) is active ahead of the demerger and we expect WOW to reinvest in its value proposition.

Further, whilst cost of doing business pressures is likely to persist into FY19, the investment is necessary.

• Key business segments. 1. Food. Food experienced solid operating leverage with +4.3% sales growth delivering +9.6% in EBIT on the back of sales growth and higher gross profit (GP). 2. Endeavour Drinks. EBIT up +2.8% over the year, however excluding the gain on sale accounted for in the prior year, EBIT was actually up +4.7% year on year. In the second half of the year, the Company experienced a more competitive environment and higher supply chain costs. 3. BIG W. BIG W reported a loss of $110m for the year, which was within management’s guidance range of $80-120m. Management expects losses to moderate further in FY19 but provided no quantitative guidance. 4. Hotels. The segment reported +11.2% EBIT growth, driven by higher sales and some mix improvement and good cost control.
• Key issue #1 – WOW Food like-for-like (LF) sales moderating. There was much discussion on the moderating growth rate in WOW’s Food LFL sales over the recent period compared to its competitor Coles, which has seen acceleration. From 1Q17, WOW had opened up a significant gap between its growth rate relative to Coles (in 4Q17 WOW reported +6.4% versus Coles +0.6%). However, over the recent quarters Coles has closed this gap. It appears WOW’s LFL sales growth has moderated again in 1Q19, with management noting LFL sales are up +1.3% (versus 4Q18 +3.1%). We remain comfortable that WOW can win back some of the lost ground has management gears up value proposition around key dates.
• Key issue #2 – Cost of doing business pressures to persist into FY19. We expect cost growth to remain a feature on the near-term as WOW works through EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreements), new distribution centres (DC) and various digital projects. This will clearly have earnings implications in the short-term, however we believe the company will reap benefits over the long-term. We saw the potential of operating leverage in FY18 Food results – revenue growth of +4.3% delivering +9.6% in EBIT growth (2.2x leverage).