How did the Sydney Airport (ASX:SYD) share price respond last earnings season?

How did the company's shares react following its FY20 result?

Travel bags sit by an airport lounge window overlooking a grounded plane on the tarmac

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD) share price will be one to watch closely at the end of the week. This comes as the company is due to report its FY21 half-year results tomorrow.

After Wednesday's market close, the airport operator's shares finished the day up 1.30% to $7.79.

Let's take a look at how the Sydney Airport share price tracked during the company's last earnings season.

What did Sydney Airport report for FY20?

Sydney Airport delivered its FY20 full-year result in late February, revealing worrying numbers across the board.

Here's a summary of the financial details that Sydney Airport posted for its last earnings season.

  • Total revenue of $803.7 million, down 51% on the prior year (FY19 $1,639.6 million)
  • Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $627.8 million, down 45% on the prior year (FY19 $1,145.5 million)
  • Full year loss of income tax expense of $107.5 million, down 150% on the prior year (FY19 net profit after tax $215 million); and
  • No full-year dividend declared, down 100% on the prior year (FY19 39 cents per share).

Following the release, Sydney Airport shares sunk from $6.20 on 24 February to as low as $5.76 in the days after. This represents a decline of around 7% for the blue chip company.

However, investors were purchasing the company's shares at bargain prices, sending them back up to pre-FY20 levels in early April.

What should investors look out for this earnings season?

Goldman Sachs analysts expect Sydney Airport to bounce back quickly when the country re-opens up.

The broker noted trans-Tasman volumes accounted for 14% of Sydney Airport's total international in the 2019 calendar year. However, the return of international passengers and a reduction in associated retail leave abatement will have a positive effect. More importantly, it allows for international retail and duty-free business to recommence.

Although currently in hibernation mode, the company is predicted to be a major beneficiary of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine strategy.

Key downside risks include a decline in passenger volumes, tightened regulatory processes, delayed border openings, slower and weaker demand recovery.

Sydney Airport share price snapshot

Up until the start of July 2021, Sydney Airport shares mostly travelled sideways, disrupted by constant COVID-19 lockdowns.

However, its shares rocketed following a takeover bid by a consortium of infrastructure investors in mid-July. Since then, the airport operator has received a new offer from the Sydney Aviation Alliance, valuing its shares at $8.45 apiece.

This has led the Sydney Airport share price to surge 20% year-to-date, and above 40% in the past 12 months.

On valuation grounds, Sydney Airport presides a market capitalisation of $21 billion, with approximately 2.7 billion shares on issue.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

Man drawing an upward line on a bar graph symbolising a rising share price.
Share Gainers

Why Antipa, Cettire, Magnetic Resources, and Steadfast shares are pushing higher

These shares are avoiding the market sell off today. But why?

Read more »

Man smiling at a laptop because of a rising share price.
Opinions

Why I think these 2 ASX shares are steals right now

I’m a big fan of buying cheap investments. These two look like bargains to me.

Read more »

A young woman holds an open book over her head with a round mouthed expression as if to say oops as she looks at her computer screen in a home office setting with a plant on the desk and shelves of books in the background.
Share Fallers

Why Mineral Resources, Polynovo, Regal Partners, and Santos shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough time on hump day. But why?

Read more »

Woman and man calculating a dividend yield.
Share Market News

ASX market correction presents rare buying opportunities

With the All Ords in market correction territory, many quality ASX stocks look to be trading at long-term bargain levels.

Read more »

Three people in a corporate office pour over a tablet, ready to invest.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's what brokers are recommending as buys this week.

Read more »

A businesswoman ponders why her boat is sinking in the ocean.
Share Market News

Soaring one day, plunging the next. Why is the ASX 200 on a rollercoaster?

After rocketing 2.4% yesterday, why is the ASX 200 crashing again today?

Read more »

Scared looking people on a rollercoaster ride representing volatility.
Opinions

Is it time to be fearful or greedy with ASX shares?

It’s a volatile time for the stock market. What should investors do?

Read more »

A fit man flexes his muscles, indicating a positive share price movement on the ASX market
Broker Notes

These 3 ASX stocks look like strong buys after the market selloff

Analysts see a lot of value in these buy-rated shares after recent volatility.

Read more »