0R15 9025.0 0.0% 0R1E 9410.0 0.0% 0M69 None None% 0R2V 247.99 9682.643% 0QYR 1567.5 0.0% 0QYP 439.3701 -2.9016% 0RUK None None% 0RYA 1597.0 1.2682% 0RIH 195.55 0.0% 0RIH 191.4 -2.1222% 0R1O 225.5 9683.0803% 0R1O None None% 0QFP 10475.8496 107.8542% 0M2Z 252.573 0.2373% 0VSO 33.0 -7.3164% 0R1I None None% 0QZI 622.0 0.0% 0QZ0 220.0 0.0% 0NZF None None% 0YXG 222.05 -4.1318%
RM PLC (LON: RM)
RM Plc is an FTSE All-Share listed information technology company having a global footprint. RM was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Abingdon, the United Kingdom. It offers market-leading products and services to various governments, educational institutions and examination bodies. It has three operating segments: RM Resources, RM Results and RM Education. RM Resources division provides education resources for pre-primary, primary and secondary schools in the UK and internationally. RM Results division provides assessment software for examinations worldwide. RM Education division is a supplier of market-leading ICT software to schools and colleges in the UK.
Recent trend of dividend payments
(Data Source: LSE Website, Research done by Kalkine Group)
The chart above demonstrates the consistent dividend payment made by RM Plc from FY2016 to FY2020. In FY2020, RM Plc paid a final dividend of GBX 3.00 per share. It had an ex-dividend date of 18 March 2021, and the dividend was paid on 30 April 2021.
Technological trend and advancements
RM Plc has investment programmes in the digital and automation space, which are expected to deliver operational and financial benefits. Globally, also there is a trend of planned widespread catch-up funding in these areas. RM Plc wants to build a clear path to sustainable growth and sharpen its focus on domain strength and market opportunity. The Company plays a significant role in improving educational outcomes. Currently, despite Covid-19 induced disruptions, there is an elevated focus on education. The education space would broaden and expand its digital engagement. The traditional education model would evolve, and the assessment market would adopt technology at a greater scale. Hence, this trend would be beneficial for the Company and could offer it a clear path to sustainable growth.
Growth Prospects
Key Risks
Now we will analyse some key fundamental and shareholders statistics of RM PLC.
Recent Development
Change in Directorate: On 24 June 2021, RM Plc announced the appointment of Charles Bligh as a Non-Executive Director effective 2 July 2021.
Financial and Operational Highlights (for six months ended 31 May 2021 as of 6 July 2021)
(Source: LSE Website)
Financial Ratios (H1 FY21)
Share Price Performance Analysis
(Source: REFINITIV, Research done by Kalkine Group)
On 9 July 2021, at 7:05 AM GMT, RM’s shares were trading at GBX 243.00, at par against the previous day closing price. Stock 52-week High and Low were GBX 265.00 and GBX 157.00, respectively.
On a daily chart, RM's price is sustaining above 200-day EMA of about GBX 220.00 and 200-day SMA of about GBX 211.00, indicating the possibility of an upward movement. The MACD line is trading above the centreline, however, forming a negative crossover with the signal line.
In the last five years, RM’s stock price has delivered a decent positive return of ~94.40%. It has outperformed the FTSE All-Share index with a return of around 13.23%.
Valuation Methodology: Price/Earnings Approach (NTM) (Illustrative)
Peers used in the valuation methodology (Price/NTM Earnings)
Business Outlook Scenario
RM delivered a resilient performance in H1 FY2021, with adjusted operating profit rising 96% YoY. It was achieved with a sales increase of 21% YoY. Its adjusted diluted EPS also surged 119% YoY in H1 FY2021. The management remains focused on investment in digital and automation advancements, which provides further confidence for FY2021 and beyond. The Company is benefitting from its market-leading products and services, significant investments, improving global education fundamentals, a resilient business model and the increasing trend of technology adoption among its customers going into H2 FY2021. The management strives to build the right platform and capabilities to capitalise on the longer-term market drivers.
The Board is confident that they would build a path for sustainable growth for the Company. On the technical chart, the next important support level is at GBX 196.00.
Considering the resilient performance, the benefits of the digital adoption by the customers, increasing demand from customers, the Company’s investment in digitisation and automation, decent profitability and improved leverage position of the business, and support from the valuation as done using the above method, we have given a “Speculative Buy” recommendation on RM Plc at the current price of GBX 243.00 (as on 9 July 2021 at 7:05 AM GMT), with lower-double digit upside potential based on 14.70x Price/NTM Earnings (approx.) on FY22E earnings per share (approx.).
*All forecasted figures and Peer information have been taken from Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters.
*The dividend yield is subject to change as per the stock price movement.
*The reference data in this report has been partly sourced from REFINITIV
*Depending upon the risk tolerance, investors may consider unwinding their positions in a respective buy stock once the estimated target price is reached or if the price closes below the support level (indicative stop-loss price).
Disclaimer
References to ‘Kalkine’, ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’ refer to Kalkine Limited.
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