Luxury goods business, Richemont reported FY20 and 4Q20 results recently, which showed that its fourth-quarter sales declined by 18% YoY as the world’s wealthy spent less money on expensive jewellery and watches (these segments account for a combined 70% of Richemont’s total revenue – Figure 1). Richemont owns brands such as Cartier, Dunhill and Chloé. The company said that sales in China fell 67% YoY in its fourth quarter (January to end March 2020), while the Asia Pacific region recorded a 37% fourth-quarter YoY decline. Also in 4Q20, Europe recorded a sales decrease of 10% YoY, but in the Americas, sales rose by 6% YoY.
For FY20, Group sales rose 2% YoY to EUR14.2bn, but were flat on a constant currency basis. Growth was driven by its Online Distributors and Jewellery Maisons divisions, with good performances in the Americas, Europe, and Japan more than offsetting the decline in the Asia Pacific region. Richemont halved its FY20 annual dividend to preserve cash but said it is investigating a scheme to reward shareholders. Releasing the Group’s results, Chairman Johann Rupert said that the luxury goods industry was dependent on customers’ willingness to spend. However, with lockdowns and the COVID-19 pandemic, global travel had been curtailed dramatically, and headwinds were expected to continue in the months ahead.
Overall, it was a set of numbers which gave the market some cheer that the COVID-19 impact had not completely decimated the Group’s fourth quarter, as some may have feared. However, management, and particularly Rupert, did paint the picture that the pandemic’s impact was hard to forecast and, more importantly, may last for a while still, with a 12-to 36-month guesstimate being put on the table.
Figure 1: Richemont contributions to revenue by segment, FY20
Source: Richemont
Richemont products are sold globally with around three-quarters of its total revenue generated in Asia and Europe (Figure 2)
Figure 2: Richemont contributions to revenue by region, FY20
Source: Richemont
Richemont’s direct/store distribution channels were hard hit by the virus (Asia ex-Japan saw sales slump by 37% YoY in 4Q20). This has accelerated Richemont’s focus to online distribution via online retailer, YOOX Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP), which it acquired in 2018, and its joint venture (JV) with Alibaba in China. FY20 growth in sales of 2% YoY was attributable to online sales – on a LfL basis, excluding online, sales would have been down 1% YoY.
Nevertheless, overall, at the topline, the numbers did prove the point that goods were moving, and a very strong 4Q20 sales performance in the Americas (+6% YoY) and a reasonable one in Europe (-10% YoY ) helped hide the Asian wound. As the virus’ impact moved west though, we expect that pain points will materialise, with large store closures in Europe and the US in April and May, even as China and Asia recovers.
The real impact and pressures on the business can be seen in its margins. Gross margins (GMs) fell from 61.8% to 60.5%, on the back of the following:
- Lower capacity manufacturing utilisation in China.
- Higher gold prices.
- Foreign exchange (a strong Swiss franc, weaker euro).
- Online distribution, where GM declined from 35.6% to 33.2%.
In summary, price competition, particularly online as many companies moved to that channel, and some volume pressure via production centre closures in China, impacted the Group’s GM.
Operating margins were even harder hit, falling from 13.9% to 10.7%. Net operating expenses rose by 6% YoY, with administrative costs rising on the back of a stronger Swiss franc, digital costs and IT costs. In addition, fulfilment costs were more than 50% higher. This related to conventions and marketing events that were canceled.
Below the operating profit line, net finance costs increased by 84% YoY to EUR337mn. This included a EUR245mn loss from forex hedging activities. This in turn led to a 33% YoY LfL fall in profit before tax (excluding the EUR1.38bn prior-year revaluation gain of YNAP) and a 17% YoY drop in net profit after tax (NPAT).
Conclusion
Thomson Reuters consensus analysts’ estimates for FY21 have been trimmed since these results were released but the question remains whether this was by enough?
- Management have said that online distribution/ “new retail” are a focus area, and it does seem as though this business, while driving top-line growth, comes at a cost. In addition, Rupert stated that some caution was in order, due to the impact of COVID-19 which is yet to play out. The main business driver remains jewellery, where a healthy margin means that the operating profit of the unit is more than 100% of the total Group number.
- Hedging activities, which appear in the interest cost line of a Group which has a net debt/EBITDA ratio of <1x, effectively cost EUR0.43/share. The continuing amortisation of intangibles, given the digital focus, will also weigh on the Group’s reported numbers.
- However, we believe that the market will probably continue to give management the benefit of the doubt on its strategic path. That is until sales numbers do not reflect growth or if the Group’s margins continue to fall.
- The historical PE to FY20 numbers is 30.5x. Even though Thomson Reuters consensus analysts’ forecasts for FY21 have been reduced, the forward PE is still 26.7x, reflecting 7% YoY growth in earning, and this forecasts an EV/EBITDA of 10.8x. We note that these are high ratings … but we are in unusual times.
Figure 3: Richemont share price and forward PE performance
Source: Thomson Reuters, Anchor
We would look for buying opportunities into share price weakness.
