Ann: FY20 Trading Update, page-5

Interesting article on Livewire and the Covid 19 recovery on the car industry. Didn't discuss NTD directly, but I believe the principles are the same and NTD may rebound quickly....Part of the article below.

If the Chinese experience along with early indications locally is anything to go by, then Australia’s love of the car has just got another shot in the arm from COVID-19. As Macquarie wrote in a good note this week, who wants to share a bus or train with people who could be asymptomatic COVID-19 cases? Riding to work this morning there is a clear uptick in traffic volumes and that’s being supported by the experience from other countries as they emerge from lock downs. Data from China has shown a clear preference for the car over and above public transport supporting traffic growth by the start of May that was actually up year of year while public transport volumes were still weak. Locally, toll road operator Transurban has confirmed that group traffic volume bottomed in the week startingg April 12, and has recovered since. With our borders closed, Australian’s are also likely to take to the car for holidays – national lampoon style! This has ramifications for stocks exposed to cars, whether that be sales, leasing, parts, roads or maintenance...