- Joined
- 27 December 2010
- Posts
- 1,729
- Reactions
- 48
There were a few key government contracts in the Professional and English Programs (PEP) division up for renewal on 1 July 2014 (refer investor presentation on 26 March 2014 page 35).
It's now 8 July 2014 and we have a trading halt mentioning "status of the negotiations." I wonder if the government is playing hard ball or if another competitor has made an enticing bid.
PEP was about 14% of EBITDA in the 2014 HY.
Potentially could be time for people like myself who don't hold NVT to sharpen the pencil and pull out the ruler, just in case any potential contract loss causes an over-reaction.
A few high quality businesses have been getting cheaper lately, hopefully (for me) this one joins the list...
The decision by Macquarie University to provide their own PEP services through an internally funded college, rather than in alliance with Navitas' college poses serious questions and threats to Navitas' business model in general, at least in that segment.
The main question that most investors should ask, notably, what does the Navitas structure provide that the universities cannot themselves via internal colleges? Is it a matter of scale, cost, or expertise in niche? Navitas' competitive advantage has been very strong to date and has allowed them to generate massive excess returns.
However, any weakening or even loss to their competitive position, would have massive ramifications to the intrinsic valuation of the company.
This is an interesting development, because my understanding to date is that the market has previously focussed on student numbers (and threats to this, regulation or otherwise) rather than Navitas' relationship with the universities, which appeared to be rock-solid.
I often get the feeling that relationships to suppliers (which are often blindly not seen as competitors) are harder to get a grasp on than those with customers in most businesses. It really highlights that businesses are part of dynamic "360 degree systems", not just top-down.
As far as trading is concerned... it's a gift this morning on open at $4.60. Looking to close a good part of it over $5. Probably has some chance of going back to $6 in the coming weeks. Shades of MMS.
Can't seem to get a handle on SIBT's student numbers. My guess is something north of 2k. Anyone know better?
The SIBT website says that the figure is 3,160. If this was correct, NVT's previous investor communications have stated that this is an indicative EBITDA margin of about 40-50% for a college this size (remember that due to operating leverage in this business EBITDA margins grow fairly quickly as student numbers start falling straight to the bottom line once the college reaches a certain size - somewhere near 1,000 students).
I think that situations such as this will serve to show the true strength of the model. If Macquarie does well, then it may start a trend with other Uni's thinking they can follow their lead.... however they may not do well at all as ROE points out aswell. Another factor to consider is Macquarie now carry a bigger burden whereas before part of the burden was on NVT to deliver.The decision by Macquarie University to provide their own PEP services through an internally funded college, rather than in alliance with Navitas' college poses serious questions and threats to Navitas' business model in general, at least in that segment.
they can go alone but I say they may not get the result they want ..
NVT is like FLT, they have agents and network every where anyone who act against this network may think they may do better but NVT stop recommending students going to Mac uni and sell them other Uni.
Uni best job is to teach and get students number when they want to run someone else business they may not do as well but only time will tell
Indeed...this recent government shakeup on all things could make for an entry in to NVT.
Out of interest - others that you are looking at?
I thought 4.60 on open was a gift too, got a trading parcel and looking for $5+ in the short term but am also prepared with proper risk mgt incase the market ignores what I want and keeps heading southAs far as trading is concerned... it's a gift this morning on open at $4.60. Looking to close a good part of it over $5. Probably has some chance of going back to $6 in the coming weeks. Shades of MMS.
So are these 1 year programs? With 3 semesters per year?
The student enrolment numbers in the last 3 semesters (globally for University Programs) were 50k. And these UPs are about 75% of EBITDA before corporate costs. So they potentially lost say 7-8% of students (albeit most profitable ones due to scale of the campus). So say 15% hit to EBITDA of $120m so $18m impact. That leaves group EBITDA of $125m.
I wonder if this decision by Macquarie has anything to do with the budget measures released recently?
Do you think that it would be impossible, or in fact unrealistic for the more prestigious local universities, to replicate the marketing strength of a firm like Navitas, due to their scale? Is it something that would be far too painful for them to fund in the short to medium term, for an uncertain pay-off long-term? Macquarie Uni obviously do not think so... and where there's one there are always imitators who just do it because their competition is doing it. As you said, the change in legislation, may be enough incentive to convince some of the better funded / more profitable universities to become more vertically integrated.I agree with ROE's sentiments too. These guys are more than just bums in classrooms, the biz model and their strength is about getting them in there. The strength is in marketing.
So say 15% hit to EBITDA of $120m so $18m impact. That leaves group EBITDA of $125m.
Any chance you could send this to me?A macquarie research note is saying the impact is likely to be ~$31m at the EBITDA level. So a 25% hit
Do you think that it would be impossible, or in fact unrealistic for the more prestigious local universities, to replicate the marketing strength of a firm like Navitas, due to their scale?
As you said, the change in legislation, may be enough incentive to convince some of the better funded / more profitable universities to become more vertically integrated.
Do you think that it would be impossible, or in fact unrealistic for the more prestigious local universities, to replicate the marketing strength of a firm like Navitas, due to their scale? Is it something that would be far too painful for them to fund in the short to medium term, for an uncertain pay-off long-term? Macquarie Uni obviously do not think so... and where there's one there are always imitators who just do it because their competition is doing it. As you said, the change in legislation, may be enough incentive to convince some of the better funded / more profitable universities to become more vertically integrated.
I'm playing devil's advocate. It helps me ponder.
The prestigious universities in any western country don't need NVT, but let's face it, NVT doesn't do pathway programs into prestigious universities. Macquarie was referred to as "the Paddock" by lecturers back when I was at uni. They target second and third tier universities who don't have the brand or the marketing budget to go out scouting enrolments. For every Macquarie, there's ten other UNE/Southern Cross/Notre Dame/University of Kentucky etc.
View attachment 58617
The bounce trade today seems to have stalled for now.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?