Here is an extract of their analysis - rather positive. They value the stock at $1.33, lower than several months ago but I find that they tend to follow the market ... rather than pre-empt it ...
------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic looks promising but still early days
First week of free traffic data released
AADT of 275k vs PDS (2008) of 258k (7% below) and UBS (2008) of 236k (15% below). Typically ~30% of traffic drops off when tolling kicks in, but Melbourne is a more sophisticated toll road market, the first week coincided with school holidays (which typically results in weakness) and the comparison also ignores ramp-up. CEU has also provided a detailed breakdown of traffic by section (which
we were not expecting) highlighting confidence in the results and supporting operational capability.
Tunnel performance will be the key driver to meeting traffic forecasts. By our calculation, the tunnel accounts for ~31% of total revenue. AADT for the tunnel was ~118k during the first week (PDS forecasts ~118k and UBS forecasts
~97k), which is encouraging and bodes well for ramped up (steady-state) traffic. Average toll during the first week was $2.61 vs PDS of $3.10 (19% above) and UBS $2.29 (14% below).
Operational performance will not be clear for some time
EastLink is an inherently complex multi-sectional toll road, with significant toll variability (from $0.26 to $2.22 per section). It will take longer to gain confidence
in underlying performance and achieve a mature steady state (potentially up to 18-24 months).
Valuation: $1.33 (Spot DCF) / PT: $1.32 (12 month DCF less 5% discount). We rate CEU a Buy, however acknowledge it is a higher risk exposure (at least in the short-term). Tolled traffic and average trip length/revenue remain as the key risks (now that construction and operational risk have been mitigated) but in our view CEU remains a quality asset, with longer term optionality.
Add to My Watchlist
What is My Watchlist?