Downer share price drops on 17% profit slide

Downer expects 10% to 20% growth in underlying NPATA in FY23 after a challenging year in FY22.

| More on:
A woman sits with her hands covering her eyes while lifting her spectacles sitting at a computer on a desk in an office setting.

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

Key points

  • The Downer share price is down more than 7% after the integrated services company reported its FY22 full-year earnings
  • Downer reported a 17% profit decline with COVID-19 and severe wet weather creating challenges in FY22 
  • Downer divested its non-core mining and hospitality businesses in FY22, allowing it to narrow its focus on its core urban services business comprising transport, utilities, and facilities in FY23 

The Downer EDI Limited (ASX: DOW) share price is falling after the integrated services company reported its FY22 full-year earnings

The Downer share price closed yesterday at $5.61. Downer shares opened at $5.25 this morning, down 6.4% on yesterday's close and are currently sitting at $5.20, a 7.31% decline.

Downer provides integrated services to customers in Australia and New Zealand to design, build, and maintain infrastructure, facilities, and other assets.

Let's examine the company's results.

Downer share price in the red as profit falls

What else happened in FY22?

Downer completed the divestment of its non-core businesses in mining and hospitality in FY22. This means the company can now focus solely on its core urban services business comprising transport, utilities, and facilities.

In its statement, Downer said "demand remained strong" in this segment and revenue constituted $11.5 billion of the company's total group revenue of $12 billion in FY22.

It noted that revenue in the core urban services business segment increased by 10.8% on the pcp.

A highlight for Downer in FY22 was the announcement of a $200 million contract win on 8 October.

ASX investors pushed the Downer share price to a 52-week high of $6.87 on the day.

What did management say?

Downer said its operations were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and severe wet weather in FY22.

Downer CEO Grant Fenn said the company's performance demonstrated "resilience":

Despite the challenging conditions, particularly relating to COVID-19 and severe wet weather, our
Urban Services businesses have continued to deliver solid earnings and strong cash conversion.

Completing the divestment of the non-core businesses is a major milestone for Downer, enabling the
delivery of a transformed business and a strong balance sheet.

Gearing has reduced to 17.7% and Net Debt to EBITDA of 1.6x remains well below our 2-2.5x target with available liquidity of $1.9 billion.

What's next?

Fenn said Downer had a strong end to FY22 with a number of contract wins providing "solid
momentum into FY23".

Fenn said:

We have announced material contract wins across each of our Transport, Utilities and Facilities
segments in Q4. We are winning work in our key markets, our brand and relationships are very strong, and we are seeing a growing pipeline of work ahead of us.

Demand for decarbonisation solutions across the Group's customer base has accelerated dramatically
in the past 12 months, which will create a strong pipeline of work. Our customers know they need to start acting on their decarbonisation targets and that it will require enormous effort.

Downer's suite of technical skills means we are in a prime position to grow our business in what will be a significant economy-wide transformation journey to net zero.

For FY23, Downer expects 10% to 20% underlying NPATA growth. This assumes no material disruptions caused by COVID-19, poor weather, or labour shortages.

Downer share price snapshot

The Downer share price is down 13.9% in the year to date.

This compares to a dip of 6.3% for the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Scott Phillips.

More on Earnings Results

A businesswoman exhales a deep sigh after receiving bad news, and gets on with it.
Earnings Results

Guess which ASX 200 stock crashed 8% on first-half profit decline and dividend cut

It has been a tough six months for this fried chicken seller.

Read more »

Business people discussing project on digital tablet.
Earnings Results

Results in! This ASX 200 stock is rising despite falling half-year profits and dividend cut

Let's see how the company performed during the six months.

Read more »

A man sitting at a computer is blown away by what he's seeing on the screen, hair and tie whooshing back as he screams argh in panic.
Earnings Results

This ASX small-cap stock is up 500% in 2024. Here's why it just crashed

What is disappointing investors today? Let's find out why they are selling this stock.

Read more »

A woman with bright yellow hair wearing a brightly patterned blouse reacts to big news that she's reading on her phone.
Earnings Results

Guess which ASX 100 share is sinking despite record results

This healthcare stock had a record half. Here's what drove its growth.

Read more »

A smiling woman looks at her phone as she walks with her suitcase inside an airport.
Earnings Results

Web Travel share price jumps 14% on half year results

Here's what this travel technology company reported this morning.

Read more »

A man clenches his fists in excitement as gold coins fall from the sky.
Earnings Results

Why is this ASX tech stock surging 24% to a record high today?

Shareholders of this tech stock will be celebrating today after it hit a record high.

Read more »

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Travel Shares

Guess which ASX 200 stock is falling amid 'challenging' outlook

Trading conditions aren't easy for this online travel agent right now.

Read more »

A man sits thoughtfully on the couch with a laptop on his lap.
Technology Shares

Up 74% in 2024, why is this ASX 200 stock rallying today?

Recurring revenues continue to grow.

Read more »