Why is the Kelsian share price crashing 26% today?

A strong performance in FY 2024 is being overshadowed by something.

| More on:
A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.

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 Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS) share price is having a terrible start to the week.

In morning trade, the travel and transport company's shares dropped as much as 26% to a 52-week low of $3.71.

Why is the Kelsian share price crashing into the rocks?

Investors have been hitting the sell button today after the SeaLink owner released an update on its expectations for FY 2024.

Interestingly, the company is expecting to report a result that exceeds analyst forecasts. Its indicative unaudited results are as follows:

  • Revenue up 42.2% to $2,016.8 million
  • Underlying EBITDA up 63.9% to $265.4 million
  • Underlying net profit after tax before amortisation up 32.3% to $92.6 million
  • Statutory net profit after tax up 176.2% to $58 million

Commenting on its results, Kelsian's CEO, Clint Feuerherdt, said:

The indicative FY24 unaudited result represents a very strong performance for the business, reflecting the first full year contribution of AAAHI [All Aboard America! Holdings, Inc.] which underpinned increased revenue and EBITDA margin; revenue growth from the new Sydney contracts; improved margin in the second half for the Australian bus business, and the continued benefits of our broader contracted revenue base and indexation mechanisms in the majority of our public transport contracts.

So why the selling?

The selling down of the Kelsian share price appears to have been driven by news that the company is planning a big capital expenditure spend.

Capital expenditure in FY 2025 is expected to be between $180 million to $190 million. These funds will be put towards several strategic initiatives, further investment to improve and upgrade its expanded bus and ferry fleet, and new assets to support continued growth in the medium and longer term. This includes the strategic property acquisition of Hoxton Park bus depot, Sydney.

Management then expects its FY 2026 capital expenditure for the core asset base of the business to be approximately $100 million to continue the maintenance and reinvestment in core assets.

Commenting on the company's capital expenditure plans, Feuerherdt said:

The growth momentum across all areas of our business, in particular in the Australian bus and AAAHI businesses, supports this investment to underpin multiple years of growth in the medium and longer term. The Board and management recognise the solid foundation for growth and are investing accordingly to capitalise on it.

Following today's decline, the Kelsian share price is now down by 40% over the past 12 months.

Should you invest $1,000 in Kelsian Group Limited right now?

Before you buy Kelsian Group Limited shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Kelsian Group Limited wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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

Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.
Resources Shares

Guess which ASX 200 mining stock is sinking 7% following its quarterly update

Let's see how this miner performed during the third quarter.

Read more »

A man sits thoughtfully on the couch with a laptop on his lap.
Earnings Results

Up 50% in a year, are Xero shares a buy after Thursday's earnings results?

ASX investors reacted positively to Xero’s full-year earnings results on Thursday. Now what?

Read more »

Overjoyed man celebrating success with yes gesture after getting some good news on mobile.
Earnings Results

Xero share price higher despite FY25 earnings miss

The cloud accounting platform provider reported strong top line growth but its earnings fell short of expectations.

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
Earnings Results

Why did the Aristocrat share price just plunge 13%?

Investors are smashing the Aristocrat share price today. But why?

Read more »

A woman wearing yellow smiles and drinks coffee while on laptop.
Earnings Results

CBA share price edges higher on $2.6b quarterly profit

Let's see how Australia's largest bank performed during the quarter.

Read more »

A man has a surprised and relieved expression on his face. as he raises his hands up to his face in response to the high fluctuations in the Galileo share price today
Technology Shares

Life360 share price rockets 14% on record Q1 result

This market darling's rapid growth has continued so far in 2025.

Read more »

A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares
Earnings Results

Why is the QBE share price racing ahead of the benchmark on Friday?

Investors are bidding up QBE shares today. But why?

Read more »

A man sits thoughtfully on the couch with a laptop on his lap.
Earnings Results

Macquarie share price leaps higher on rising full-year profits

Macquarie reported its full year FY 2025 results today. Here's why ASX investors are reacting enthusiastically.

Read more »