ACS: Headquartered in Madrid, ACS is one of the world’s largest global infrastructure engineering firms providing construction and management of utility networks, transportation systems, airports, waste facilities, and similar large projects. Through its own business and its stakes in Hochtief and Leighton, the company’s unique capabilities and experience provide an advantage in pursuing large civil works projects. CEO Florentino Perez owns 13%, and other board members hold an additional 40%. The company sells for approximately half of our valuation because the market oversimplifies this as a Spanish business with optically high leverage. In addition, many question ACS’ strategy around its 19% ownership of Iberdrola, Spain’s #1 utility and the largest owner of renewable assets in the world. In fact, less than half of ACS’ direct operating exposure is to Spain, and most is outside of Europe when looking through their 50% ownership of Hochtief. The debt, which financed the stakes in Iberdrola and Hochtief, is extended through 2015, and, importantly, is non-recourse to ACS. A recent court victory gives ACS increased rights at Iberdrola, making it easier to pursue a significant and profitable investment outcome. Over the next few years without any Spanish or European economic recovery, ACS should generate a stable earnings coupon from its long-dated concession contracts, build construction projects around the world, and monetize assets when buyers are willing to pay fair prices for high-yielding infrastructure as they did in 2011 with some of ACS’ wind, solar, and toll road assets. Although strapped municipalities have made the market bearish on infrastructure spending, projects that physically must be done will have to be private-public partnerships, aided by today’s low interest rates. ACS is a world leader in privatized infrastructure projects. The company’s current free cash flow yield based on expected 2012 FCF is 16.8%, and if adjusted for sold assets and assets held for sale, is over 30%. Also ganz alleine sind wir doch nicht. Die Sache mit der non-recourse debt habe ich eigentlich übersehen. Allerdings sollte die Gefahr durch einen weiteren Kursverfall von Iberdrola durch den neuen Deal gebannt sein... |