Programmed Maintenance Services Limited (ASX: PRG) saw its share price plunge more than 24% today to $1.375, after the company announced a writedown and a profit downgrade.
Programmed provides staffing, maintenance and facility management services to the resources, marine, energy and other non-resources sectors.
But the company says it has experienced a sharp drop for marine services following the decline in oil and gas prices. As a result, the company is writing down the value of its marine goodwill by $75 million in the second half of the 2016 financial year (FY16). That has implications for marine services company MMA Offshore Ltd (ASX: MRM) too, which provides fleet services to the offshore oil and gas industry.
Operating earnings for the FY16 year, (ending March 31) are expected to be around $65 million, and the company is forecasting FY17 operating earnings of between $100 and $110 million.
The company also slashed its expected FY16 final dividend to 5 cents per share fully franked – from 11.5 cents last financial year.
Programmed bought out Skilled Group in October 2015, but the company says the downturn in the resources sector, particularly the offshore oil and gas sector has impacted both the former Programmed and Skilled parts of its business. Even worse news is that the company expects the situation to weaken even further in the short term.
Around two-thirds of the company's revenue is generated from property, infrastructure, transport, manufacturing and other non-resources sectors and the company says the outlook remains solid.
Foolish takeaway
Programmed has never been an investment-grade, high quality company, with very low profit margins, low returns on equity, no competitive advantage and low barriers to entry into many of its operating sectors. You can also add Ashley Services Group Ltd (ASX: ASH) and Broadspectrum Ltd (ASX: BRS) ex-Transfield Services to that list.
Even after today's share price fall, Foolish investors might want to pass on Programmed and seek better opportunities elsewhere.
