One of the best-performing blue-chip shares on the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) in the last 12 months has been toll road operator Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).
Despite trading on a sky-high earnings multiple during this time its share price has still managed to rise over 23% compared to the 2% decline in the benchmark index. It doesn't come as a surprise considering the toll road king has the rights to operate a number of vital toll roads in Australia for at least the next two decades
As Australia's population increases I believe roads will become even more congested, which will result in ever-increasing demand for Transurban's toll roads. This was evident in its March quarter update, which revealed a 13% year-over-year rise in toll revenue.
The great news for shareholders is that the June quarter has proven to be no different. Today the company released its figures for the quarter and the results were positive.
Thanks partly to the shift of Easter into the March quarter this year, proportional toll revenue increased by 17.5% from the prior corresponding period to $513 million.
Its Melbourne roads saw a 7.7% increase in proportional toll revenue from a small 0.6% increase in average daily traffic. Although average workday traffic decreased 0.9%, average weekend/public holiday traffic increased 3.9% during the period.
Over in Sydney there was a 13.4% increase in proportional toll revenue from a 6.5% increase in average daily traffic. Its Sydney roads saw increases in both average workday traffic and average weekend/public holiday traffic of 5.5% and 8.2%, respectively.
Proportional toll revenue on Transurban's Brisbane roads increased 35.7% thanks to a 25.8% increase in average daily traffic. Two recent additions meant average workday traffic increased 25.2% and average weekend/public holiday traffic increased 25.4% for the quarter.
Finally, over in the United States the company's Greater Washington Area roads saw an increase in proportional toll revenue of 43.8% on a 7.4% increase in average daily traffic.
Overall, another strong result from the toll road operator. Judging by the market's reaction today it would appear as though it was largely expected. Its shares are just about flat today following the announcement.
At 101x trailing earnings its shares are definitely on the expensive side compared to its peer Macquarie Atlas Roads Limited (ASX: MQA) and the rest of the S&P/ASX 200. But with such a strong portfolio of toll roads, I believe the company is positioned for growth for a long time to come which justifies paying the premium.
Whilst I would class its shares as a buy today, investors might want to hold off in the hope of a pull back in its share price in the future.
