Kentz Corporation – good news on the numbers but shares now look expensive compared to others
The engineering group announced first half revenue up 48.2% to US$643.5m, profit before tax up 49.8% to US$37.7m and diluted earnings per share of 26.05 US cents (2010: 14.72 US cents). The backlog has moved higher, it was just a pity that cash flow disappointed and thre are good bargains to be had elsewhere.
Gross margins were marginally lower, 12.23% vs 12.39% in the comparable period, but operating margins marginally higher at 4.829% - the slim margins on offer highlight the perils of this type of contracting business! The backlog of US$1,569.9m at the end of June 2011 has already further strengthened at the end of July to US$2,391.1m. The geographical revenue mix changed with Southern Africa the major contributor with US$259.4m up 214% compared with the comparable period. 49.6% of revenues in the first half came from end user international and national oil companies including Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Saudi Aramco, Kuwait Oil Company,…