AIO 0.00% $9.13 asciano limited

conflicting recommendations

  1. 158 Posts.
    Commsec came out with a brief "sell" on AIO this morning, valuation approx $1.23. At the same time JB Were have "buy" with a 12 month price target of $2.00.I think the fundamentals of this company are strong and long term it will bring results for investors. Day traders will play around with it a bit of course but there is a risk in selling out on the wrong side.

    JB Were report below

    "Operating Performance Generally Quite Pleasing…In Relative Terms
    Industrials | Transportation | Australia
    Event:
    AIO has released key operating statistics for the 9 months to March 2009 and provided an update on its asset monetisation process. Key points:
    Monetisation Process
    • AIO has received several proposals from a number of parties including indicative offers for a range of different assets, together with a number of proposals relating to transactions that may result in a change of
    control and/or a recapitalisation of the group.
    Operating Performance
    • AIO's operations are generally tracking ahead of our forecasts, particularly within the Container Ports and Coal Haulage business.
    • Encouraging signs from port volumes during March, with total container lifts down ~3% on pcp representing a significant improvement from declines of ~13% in January/February.
    • AIO expects that strength in bulks will more than offset weakness in non-bulk operations, which in addition to extensive efficiency initiatives,should see FY09 EBITDA exceed FY08 (as per previous guidance).
    Earnings and Valuation Impact:
    • Key change is that we have increased our FY09 port volumes to reflect solid performance to date, increasing FY09 EBITDA by 2.6%.
    • Our valuation has increased to $3.85/security (was $3.50) and our target price has increased to $2.00 (was $1.50).
    Investment View:
    • Retain BUY recommendation on AIO. The stronger than expected performance of Container Ports and Coal Haulage is a positive outcome given that these are potentially the most likely businesses to be sold (part or whole) and hence encouraging volume updates should give interested buyers more confidence in the outlook for these assets.
    • Nothing particularly new was provided regarding the progress of its monetisation process, other than that there are still a number of interested parties across a range of assets who have submitted nonbinding offers/proposals. We note that completion is still not likely until the end of the financial year.
    • Whilst we can appreciate the market's concerns around the
    potential success of its asset sale program in current market conditions (as well as refinancing risk), we believe that the market has lost sight of the quality of AIO's asset portfolio and long term earnings growth prospects.
    • We still expect that there will be a sufficient level of interest in AIO's assets to deliver an outcome that is acceptable to shareholders and eventually drive a rerating of the stock back towards fair value."
 
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Currently unlisted public company.

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