Hi Raimaker,
Thought you may be interested in the following by Criterion from earlier this year (pre June results):
REFLECTING on Timbercorp's demise, we're struck by the similarities between the managed investment game and a Ponzi scheme. After all, both rely on a flow of new subscriptions to maintain the caper.
MIS agri-schemes lure investors (or "growers") with a tax deduction and the promises of an eventual commercial return on the produce. Given the long lead time to harvest, it takes years before the rosy prospectus projections can be proved.
Given that Ponzi schemes are illegal and MISes aren't, we won't stretch the comparison any further. Suffice to say Timbercorp became unstuck by dwindling subscriptions, high debt and poor returns from projects such as grapes and hothouse tomatoes.
Criterion doesn't believe in guilt by association,
which bring us to TFS and its lure of $US2000 per kilogram returns from its Indian sandalwood acreages in northern WA.
Widely used in perfumes and other applications including Hindu ceremonies, Indian sandalwood is in short supply. TFS has 840ha under cultivation and hopes to harvest its first tree in 2011-12.
Ord Minnett analyst Martyn Jacobs says the exit of MIS operators makes it easier for TFS to achieve its current year target of $61 million in sales. "Their establishment fee is more than enough to buy land, fund the operation and have a healthy profit margin," he says. "
They don't need to sell next year's project to fund this year's expenses and don't need to raise debt to fund the project."
Ord Minnett forecasts a $44.7million net profit this year (earnings per share of 23.8c), while Foresight Securities expects $31.6 million (16.7c). Unlike
Timbercorp, TFS has supported capex from its existing subscriptions, rather than relying on new ones or on debt.
"MIS operations are highly capital intensive given the up-front land purchase requirement before planting," says Foresight Securities analyst Adam Michell.
TFS, however, has enough land to meet expected growth over the next four years.
Ultimately, TFS will succeed on its ability to achieve a steady harvest. A parasite requiring a host tree, Indian sandalwood is hard to grow- buy.