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A good Straw offers a clear and concise perspective on the company and its prospects.
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$1.8+ million Multi-Site Rail Contract Award
Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA) (“Ava Group” or “Company”) is pleased to announce that its world leading Aura Ai sensing solution has been selected to be deployed for a multi-site program to upgrade security at certain major rail facilities in South America:
Disc; I hold....
https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02357253-3A564166?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4
I have sold my small holding in AVA. My half-year reporting review provided me with some questions that presented new risks that I don't completely understand or are not aligned with my thesis. There is some serious upside and downside potential for Ava Risk Group but I can't say which is more likely at this point. I only like to hold if I have high conviction and I don't at this point so I am selling on that basis.
Risks/problems causing negative views:
Yet another announcement that needs amending because of a mistake. Makes me wonder if management has it all together? Do they miss the finer details? Are they taking other shareholders seriously? I counted 5 errors since 28 July 2020. All since the old CEO left.
Emails to investor email account bounces. Online form to contact the company doesn't work.
New details I wasn't aware of or fully accounted for:
Valuation - the guessing game:
Selling of the services division at a 10x EBITDA multiple (figure based on what I've seen thrown around as reasonable):
EBITDA multiple of 10x for services (1HFY21 services EBITDA x 2 x multiple) = $3.8 x 2 x 10 = $76 mil.
Take away potential management profits @ 32.7% over USD$5.3mil($6.8AUD) = $53 mil valuation of services division to share holders
Cash at bank = $13.4 million
Market valuation of Technology = 135-13.4-53= $68.6 million
Here is the problem for me, taking out IMOD I think this is very expensive and hoping for the best with Aura IQ. If another IMOD comes along this is super cheap....
What would I miss by selling?
Conclusion
Given the current market turbulence and my lack of conviction I have sold out. However, this is not a sell and forget. As things pan out I will be more than happy to jump back in as my concerns are answered. I just can't tell if this is a massive winner or loser at this time and price...
H1 FY21 Results out and are as flagged mid-January (others have quoted), additional information & points of note:
· IMOD contract saw sales in India grow 241%, about 40% of the growth YOY – not a surprise
· Europe accounted for 47% of growth YOY and remains the largest market at 44% of sales. I suspect this is linked to the 101% growth in the Logistics business.
· USA sales dropped 50% and now account for just 7% of sales – disappointing.
No change to valuation, FY21 full year forecast is under baked but until we see more contracts like the IMOD, there are gaps to fill for future sales
Half Yearly Report
AVA released their half yearly report this morning
Highlights:
Revenue up 72% to $35M
Licence fees from IMOD project make up $7.7M of above
Profit up 1,071% to $11M
Special dividend of 2cents/share payable March 10th
Strong balance sheet with $13.4M cash
https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02347126-3A562418?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4
Ava Risk Group is a market leader of risk management services and technologies, trusted by some of the most security-conscious commercial, industrial, military & government clients in the world. The Group features a range of complementary solutions including intrusion detection for perimeters, pipelines and data networks, biometric and card access control as well as secure international logistics, storage of high value assets and risk consultancy services.
Through decades of innovation, the Ava Group continues to build upon a comprehensive portfolio of premium services and technologies for the most complex and demanding markets. The business truly serves a global market, with our knowledgeable team spread across six continents, providing market and industry expertise directly to customers. With thousands of sites protected, the Ava Group is proven to deliver first class services and technologies that surpass the expectations of our partners and end users.
The business is really an amalgamation of 3 different businesses (with different brands) playing in different parts of the market
1. Future Fibre Technologies
2. BQT Solutions
3. AVA Global logistics
Performance:
Revenue: $46m (15% growth YoY)
EBITDA: $7.4m
Revenue: $17m (73% pcp) with
EBITDA: $7.7m (!)
Revenue: $35m
EBITDA: $12m
Valuation
Market-cap: $143m
EV: $130m
No debt, $13m cash
EV/Rev < 3
EV/fRev ~ 2
Good video here with their new CEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zkp99KH7nk
What I see: a well-run but poorly branded business, with valuable tech, demonstrating solid growth in a growth space (in our new 'geopolitical normal' security is going to be front & centre). I believe the market is mispricing this unloved, unsexy business/
2 obvious red-flags that require attention:
1. Customer concentration "Revenue from one customer in the International Valuable Logistics division amounted to $9.845 million (FY2019: $5.296 million) and revenue from one customer in the Perimeter Security division amounts to $4.962 million (FY2019: no customer greater than 10% of total revenue). " Annual Report 2020
2. Once-off nature of most of their revenue. This is something AVA are working to address it seems
AuraIQ is their newly launched product for 'conveyor belt health monitoring' using fiber-optic cable to sense and pick-up on changes in vibration patterns (predictive maintenance).
Was productized as a SaaS- $ license fee per-meter per-month.
22/02/21 Alkasab continues their sell-off
Dropping voting power from 6.8 to 5.5% in a series of sells initiated from late last year.
Similar sell-off from Alkasab in another holding of mine. Totally different industry.
Cashing in for liquidity I suppose. I wonder where that money's gonna go.
AVA has announced a new contract to deploy Aura IQ across 15 Airbase sites with a large Asian country (I feel this may be India given the relationship with the IMOD contract).
I see this as a fantastic step in the right direction where AVA has created a lucrative new sales pipeline through their investment in Aura IQ and are now able to get the ball rolling. Remember this execution on strategy is two fold, not only does it give AVA a success story for future sales but it also nets them tidy revenues from a new product.
They mention they have the go ahead for 4 sites at $700k AUD. This is $175k a site, extrapolating this across all 15 sites, (conservatively, I assume the cost will increase/decrease per site depending on size) we are looking for a total contract value of $2.625m AUD. At a gross margin of 40% that is $1.05m profit. This will be recognised across FY21 and FY22 which gives a good taper off to the IMOD contract.
This is very promising and has addressed some concerns I had about the companies ability to generate new sales. I still think the company will need more sales in late FY21/early FY22 like this to take the place of the IMOD contract but this is a step in the right direction.
12 February 2021
Multi-base Air Force Contract Award Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA)(“Ava Group”or “Company”) is pleased to announce that its world leading Aura Ai sensing product has successfully completed comprehensive Site Acceptance Testing at a major airbase located within a large Asian country and been selected to be deployed for a further 15-site program to upgrade security at certain major airforce bases.
Correction statement to February 2021 Investor presentation
Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA) (“Ava Group” or “Company”) wishes to advise of a typographically error on Slide 13 of the investor presentation released to market yesterday. The 3rd bullet point which read “Total contract value estimated at US$11.9M+ (A$16.7M+)” should have read “Total contract value estimated at US$11.9M+ (A$15.6M+)”. The error was due to use of a prior, rather than current USD/AUD exchange rate. Management apologies for the error.
AVA Special Interim Dividend, announced
• Record date 10th Feb 2021
• 3.66% yield
• 0.02c
• 0% Franking
• Pay date 11th Mar 2021
... YTD 2021 up +5%, will be looking for positive bullish sentiment this week. Positive earning on the QTR & future growth forecast of +22% YOY going forward. I think momentum is favourable but we shall see what the market decides.
INVESTOR PRESENTATION INCLUDES PRELIMINARY H1 FY2021
HIGHLIGHTS:
STRONG REVENUE GROWTH
• FY2020 revenues $46.1M, increased by 46% over PCP
• 1H FY2021* revenues $35M, increased by 70% over PCP
HIGHLY SCALABLE MODEL
• Multiple new customer wins in both Services and Technology Divisions
• Significant conversion of repeat customers upgrading products on multiple sites
• FY2020 generated $6.0M net operating cashflow, 1H FY2021* generated $8.2M
STRONG COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE'
• Highly defensible competitive position, breadth of product range, performance and blue-chip customer base
• Experienced leadership team, with broad global industry knowledge and deep market sector understanding
GLOBAL EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES
• Expanding technology and services sales efforts into several new attractive markets globally
• Highly competent global sales force with significant pipeline of known technology projects, and increasing addressable customer spend for provision of valuable logistics services
• Thousands of products installed in more than 70 countries
https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02336851-3A560484?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4
DISC: I hold in strawman and TRW
Well, ppl worried about imod have a fair reason to do so, but its making hay while the sun shines - special dividend incoming! Thats a 5.8% yield in 1 half on current SP!
Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA) (“Ava Group” or “Company”) is pleased to announce a Special Dividend. Shareholders at the Record Date of 10 February 2021 will receive an unfranked dividend of $0.02 per share, paid on 11 March 2021.
Ava Group CEO, Rob Broomfield said “I am very pleased that our record H1 FY2021 results have delivered material profits and positive cashflow which has enabled the board to approve a dividend for our shareholders, the second Special Dividend that we have announced in FY2021. As our profits, cashflow, and cash balances increase, the board is committed to rewarding its shareholders”
Ava Risk group has reported net operating cash flows of $4.4m for Q2 -- up $0.7m from the proceeding quarter and up $4.6m from the same time last year.
$2.6m was from the Indian Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and the same amount is exected in the current quater. After this, most of the contract value will have been paid but the business should remain cash flow positive.
AVA has $13.4m cash at the bank.
The following is an excellent investment thesis on AVA from Patrick Melville, Freelance Writer at Rask Australia (published 19-Jan-2021): Epic post: Everything you need to know before investing in AVA Risk Group Ltd (ASX: AVA) shares.
[I hold AVA.]
This one's really going to ruffle a few feathers given AVA's popularity on strawman.
Please @ me in the forum tab regarding my work for some constructive feedback/discussion, rather than simply downvoting, its what the purpose of the strawman community is for!
Happy reading,
Reece
I am both an investor who takes into consideration both the fundamental and technical profile of every company I invest in.
From a TA perspective AVA is looking horrible. A re-treat back into the consolidation zone which it had already achieved months ago after the first half guidance is a big red flag. Accordingly, I was about to exit on TA basis and re-enter when there was some form of an uptrend again. I also thought about how this company might not perform so well in the 2H of the year given it's apparent reliancy on the IMOD contract.
However, then I crunched the numbers..
After actually looking into the numbers, this company is actually growing even if you completely ignore the existance of the IMOD contract - and at a solid rate at that. It's blue chip customer base, and it's ability to demonstrate consistency in growth in the COVID environment earns a strong buy and hold from me.
Price target $2.00
To arrest the drop in the SP, AVA decided to drop news early and it certainly did the trick! Back up to 64.5c, the question is, will it leg up?
Delving into the numbers, AVA are suggesting a $34M revenue and $12M EBITDA for H1.
Q2 drop in EBITDA is a big one. By my calcs, if those conditions remain, thats a difference of 45% GM and 24% GM. So lets go worst case to see where current value stands..
Rev outside of IMOD has been Q1 $13.4M and Q2 $13.9M.
EBITDA ex IMOD (assume IMOD ~60% GM) was Q1 $5.5M and Q2 $1.84M - OUCH!
As non-IMOD rev grew 3.73% Q1-Q2, lets conservatively assume thats what we get Q3 & 4. So Q3 would be $1.96M and Q4 $2.1M EBITDA, giving a total FY21 EBITDA of ~$11.44M.
PE of 15 and you have an MC of $171M and SP of 71c. Not bad!
By my calcs, if you add in IMOD, then we are on track for something like a $20M EBITDA for FY21 and ~$300M SP.
Now, are they going to replace IMOD? My guess is no. So what if I take Q4 from my ex IMOD model and turn it into an IRR. My estimate is Q4 will be ~$14.96M Rev and ~$2.1M EBIDA. x4, that means an ARR EBITDA of $14.29M and an SP target of 88.7c, or a 37% upside.
Now this is all on a relatively conservative growth of ~12% pa for non-imod contracts. Nor does it account for the potential multiple growth available if/when they sell the services business. So plenty of upside yet to come!
First, my valuation for AVA is still north of where it sits. But a few items I drew from the H1 statement that had me a little less excited:
1) Organic revenue growth stalled between Q1 & Q2. Now Q1 was bumper and so YoY Q2 is a big increase. However, it appears to me that revenue growth from Q1 to Q2 is almost entirely due to IMOD.
2) A negative $3.2M hit from Q1 to Q2 due to Forex (~$1M), a drop in govt incentives and a contract finishing isnt great. It doesnt destroy the business case, but it does make it less attractive. Particularly as the exchange rate may continue to be unfavourable (reckon a lot of companies will be hit by this in Q2 reporting!)
Anyway, thats enough negativity after a great day. Check my bull case shortly for the positive vibes!
14-Jan-2021: As @Rapstar has mentioned here in both the AVA General Forum and in his "Services Division" Straw for AVA today, AVA is held by DMX Capital Partners, a division of DMX Asset Management. Their monthly newsletters are free to access from here: https://www.dmxam.com.au/monthly_archive.html
I do see that in their September 2020 newsletter that they've said:
Management meetings
We are pleased to share below a summary of our notes and insights taken from meetings with management of several of our disclosed portfolio positions. We share these insights to showcase four of our holdings where we feel our discussions with management have highlighted some interesting aspects to the business, that are perhaps not well understood by the market.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVA Risk Group (ASX:AVA)
Meeting with David Cronin (Chairman) and Rob Broomfield (CEO)
As previously noted, FY20 was a big year for AVA, as it delivered an impressive turn-around. In speaking with management, we were keen to focus on FY21 and whether that momentum could be sustained. Key insights are discussed below.
In summary, we took a lot of confidence from our meeting with AVA. Its Services division has significant momentum, and when sold, we think has the potential to generate sales proceeds to AVA of $50m to $60m (before Management profit share is accounted for). Its technology business will grow in FY21 underpinned by the IMOD contract. AVA’s fiber technology offering perhaps hasthe most upside, and its potential least appreciated by the market, but we acknowledge it will take some time for this potential to play out.
--- end of excerpt --- [to read the notes/insights from DMX's other 3 company management meetings (with PTB, EGH & UCW), click here.]
While I can't find any reference in there (or in any of their newsletters) to AVA extending their own management performance plan termination date to June 30, 2021 (from Feb 1, 2021), I'll take @Rapstar's word for it; it sounds right. I do note that they (DMX) stated: "With the Services business due to be sold in the next 12 months, Management are looking to target an EBITDA sale multiple of 9x to 12x, given the capital light nature of the business. AVA are happy to take a commercial approach in relation to the timing of the sale in order to maximise the sales price."
Onwards and upwards then.
During the past 12 months, DMX have mentioned AVA in their February, May, July, August, September and October newsletters - all can be accessed from here.
Their December newsletter had not been uploaded to that webpage when I typed up this straw, but I expect it will be shortly, once they publish it.
[I hold AVA shares.]
Services Division performing strongly and on track for EBITDA of $8.4M for FY2021. Given management are hoping fro a sale price of 9-12x of EBITDA, a sale price of $75 - 100 M is hoped for. Management will pocket 33%, so shareholders can expect $50-70 M in captial returned........18- 26 cents per share.
Management are hoping for sale by June 30, 2021, as per DMX September monthly report.
14 January 2021
Ava Group Achieves Record Result for H1 FY2021(unaudited) Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA)(“Ava Group”or “Company”) is pleased to announce revenue and profit growth in the first half of FY2021:
Services Division–H1 FY2021 Snapshot
Technology Division–H1 FY2021 Snapshot
Relentless selling
If anyone wants to find out why AVA is trending down, one of the subs is selling heavily
They are a little known company in Dubai called "Alkasab United Company"
I couldnt' really find much about this company though.
I hold but the selling by the substantial holder is getting me a bit worried. I did top up recently around 0.53.
30-Oct-2020: IMOD Project Update
Indian MOD Data Network Protection Project Update
Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA) (Ava Group or Company) today provides the following market update and clarifications with respect to the large-scale supply of FFT’s SecureLink technology to protect data communications cables for the Indian Ministry of Defence (IMOD):
FY2020 Recap:
Q1 FY2021 (unaudited):
Updated Forecast:
Historical A$ amounts are based on actual USD/AUD exchange rates achieved. Forecast $A amounts are based on the current USD/AUD exchange rate at time of release. Actual final A$ amounts achieved may differ depending on exchange rates achieved at the time.
[I hold AVA shares.]
29-Oct-2020: Annual General Meeting Presentation
That document is unfortunately NOT formatted to suit the ASX's new "FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY" always-on-top watermark (the left margin isn't wide enough) so the text is obscured. To make matters worse, if you use AVA's own website (https://www.theavagroup.com/investors/) to download the document, they just use the ASX's URL, so you get the same damn problem because it's the same document. AVA need to start using wider left margins or else have a library of their docs BEFORE the ASX damages them that people can access from their website. Many other companies do this. It's not hard. Anyway, good report/presentation. I liked it. The market liked it. AVA rose +13% to close at 65.5 cps ($0.655), which is where they also closed on Monday (3 days ago). On that day (Monday 26-Oct-2020) they also set an intra-day 4-year high of $0.735 (during the day).
I hold AVA shares. I also hold ZNO shares and they also rose +13% today (on their positive test results report), however ZNO are still in a strong 3-month downtrend, whereas AVA are most certainly in a very strong 3-month uptrend.
I was bullish on AVA but they've certainly surprised me with how fast and far they've run in such a short time. I bought them less than 7 weeks ago (on 15-Sep-2020) for 32 cps (cents per share) and they're already up +104%, i.e. their share price has more than doubled in a month and a half.
I bought them in stages on my Strawman.com scorecard, as they kept rising, so paid higher prices, so I'm "only" up +81% on AVA here on Strawman.com, but in the real world, where brokerage costs exist, I tend to make fewer and larger trades, and I have just made the one purchase of AVA - back in mid-September. My only regret is that I didn't buy more!
Smashing result announced. Key takeaways:
1) Revenue up 73% on pcp.
2) EBITDA of $7.7 Millon, up 522% on pcp.
3) CASH UP 50% FROM JUNE 30 2020, to $11.6 M.
Services Division - Revenue of $8.1 Million, down from $7.7 M in Q4 2020. However, gross margin expanded to 33% , with expansion plans for Asia flagged. Bad news fo rthe Strawman classic - Incentive scheme extended to June 30 2021, so a sale of the Services division will not occur during the Classic :(. Noting the the busness is likely to sell for around 8x EBITDA, he servies division is worth about $51 million at the current EBITDA rate.
Technology division is generating high margins courtersy of the IMOD contract. Maangment flagging a healthy pipeline of opportunities. Something to watch closely as the IMOD contact phases out in Q4.
Ava Risk Group has released a very encouraging first quarter report.
Sales for the 3 months to to September 30 were 73% higher at $17m, with EBITDA up a massive 522% to $7.7m (45% margin).
The services division reported $8.1m in revenue with EBITDA of $1.6m. Improving economies of scale helped lift gross margins to 33% (compared with 25% in FY20). But it was the Technology segment that really propelled operating profit, with $6.1m in EBITDA being generated off $8.9m in sales.
You can read all the detail here
You really do love to see it, record quarterly revenue of $17m and record EBITDA of $7.7 EBITDA for the quarter. Just to be clear, they have earned their FY20 EBITDA in one quarter.
My valuation has increased on the back of this release and I will be updating it shortly. Great to see IMOD cash receipts coming in and strong commercial interest on Aura IQ. The new CEO Rob Broomfield is still riding the wave of growth Scott left behind as he moved on however I think all things considered the growth and opportunity here is something to behold.
Full release here: https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02295346-3A552913?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4
CEO, Rob Broomfield will be presenting today at a Reach Markets event - register here.
The promo says: "This week we will hear from: Rob Broomfield, CEO at Ava Risk Group Ltd (ASX: AVA), a fast-growing Australian RegTech firm, with an exciting recent win in the banking and mining sector."
I am keen to see Rob present - I think it may be his first presentation as CEO.
Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX:AVA) is pleased to announce a Special Dividend. Shareholders as at the Record Date of 24 September 2020 will receive an unfranked dividend of $0.01 per share, paid on 23 October 2020.
Fantastic news! Parts of their business are reliant on non-recurring revenue, so to pay a special dividend shows that they are confident in the upcoming order book.
I anticipate that this means the service business is continuing it's strong growth and there may also be some Aura IQ conveyor monitoring contracts on the way. Three POV trials have been completed and there are now another 6 underway. I love this part of the annual report...
"In a recent Proof of Value (POV) Trial with a large multinational group, Aura IQ was used to monitor a 1.7km conveyor located in an underground coal mine in Queensland. In terms of business outcomes, the estimated financial benefits/costs savings per year were estimated to be A$37.1 million per annum, with utilisation time up by 5%*. These types of outcomes are indicative of how Aura IQ can increase productivity, maintenance efficiency and cost savings. Since its launch, interest in Aura IQ has been significant with a diverse portfolio of rollout opportunities spread across six regions, 21 countries and five industry sectors - totalling over $50+ million in potential total contract value."
Positives
Negatives
Risks
Opportunities
Valuation
How will I know if I got the thesis wrong?
FINANCIAL MODEL
My financial model is attached (detailed assumption are on the far right). Here is a high-level summary:
Valuation applies a 7.9x EBITDA Multiple (as derived from Canaccord, by comparing it to its peers)
Forecasting Revenue growth (30% in H1 FY21):
I expect the stable fixed cost base to deliver EBITDA growth of 40% in H1 FY21
I have not included any revenue from Aura IQ (so this is upside)
I have kept the logistics business in the forecast, but I feel like it will be sold prior to Feb-21
As it is profitable, I do not expect any capital raising (subject to any M&A).
I have not considered any dividends, but this is a real possiblity
RISKS:
Beyond FY21, AVA will need something to replace the IMOD contract (hopefully it’s the successful commercialisation of Aura IQ)
SP growth could be supressed by a further sell-off from Alkasab
The CEO that drove a lot of this positive change has just left (I’m speculating that he was head hunted)
*Just a quick note, I am actually bullish on the stock however i'm trying to highlight some of the potential risks this business has.
September 11th, 2020;
After digging into the breakdown of AVA & their subsequent division earnings I have found a concern highlighting their quality of earnings, in particular - customer concentration
For AVA global, 39% of earnings came from a single customer and for FFT approx ~29% was from another single customer.
This high concentration of customers effectively puts AVA's earnings-at-risk as the loss of one of these customers will leave a massive dent in the overall earnings.
I believe a lot of current valuations are not pricing this risk in and getting results closer to ~0.70c of intrinsic value.
Just my thoughts, and it will be interesting to see the direction of AVA in the near future with the supposed sale of the AVA Services side of the business.
AVA Risk released an investore presentation. In it there was a FY2021 guidance, Strangely, the announcment was not marked as market sensitive. Perhaps there is an earlier announcement, but I am yet to find it. Here are the key takeaways:
1) Forecast Q1 2021 revenue: +$15.5m - up 58% on pcp.
2) Positive cashflow for Q1 2021, and an improvement on the $0.9 M reported on pcp. It will likely translate into $3-4 millon in positive cashflow for the quarter.
3) Repeated the IMOD $11.7M revenue forecast to be booked in FY2021 - remember, this is 100% gross margin licencing fees.
4) AURA IQ pipeline is reproted to be +$49M, with another 6 proof of values deployments underway. Forecast recurring revenues for this new product in FY2021.
5) $14.6 M backlog as at June 30, 2020. It was just $6.0 millon a year ago.
AVA Risk are on track otearn +$60M in revenue this FY, and around 15-20% profit margins. IT still looks remarkably cheap at this price.
DISC - I HOLD ( a lot)
Looking deeper into the management team, the Services Division management team are quite impressive.
Mike McGeever, is the Non-Exec Chairman, and led Transguard to success - Transguard revenue was about $500 M USD lin 2019. Thats about 15X larger than AVA Services.
Grant Angwin is a non- executive director, and former President of Asahi refinery NA, the worls largest gold and silver refiner. grnat was also the chair of the London Bullion Market Association. Grants tremendous knowledge of, and connecitons within, the precious metals market will help AVA Services build opportunities in the sector.
With the merger of two giant in the industry, I think AVA Services has an opportunity to win more "long tail" clients. Long tail clients are the smaller clients of G4S (that no longer exists), and that Brinks are unable or unintersted in retaining as they are small fry for them (but attractive clients to AVA Services).
I would now prefer AVA Risk spin off AVA Services rather than sell it off to the highest bidder. AVA Services would be worth AVA Risk's entire current market cap within 2-3 years IMO.
AVA Services main competitors are, or should I say were, Brinks and G4S. Brinks acquired G4S for $860 million. G4S had adj. EBITDA of $115 M, which tranlates to a valuation multiple of 7.5 times.
AVA Services are on track for EBITDA of at least $5M in 2021, and would be worth more than $35 million going by the valuation multiple Brinks paid.
Services division update
Further 5 new clients
2 mining
2 precious metals refining
1 banking
Unaudited July revenue >$3M with gross margin improvement and EBITDA >15%
https://asx.api.markitdigital.com/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02271226-3A548023?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4
17 Aug 20: AVA up +8% today and makes a new 12 month high ($0.265) overcoming the selling in the last 2 weeks. Closed at $0.26.
Wow! - what a doozy of a business.
These operate in a market that will be ever-expanding over time as long big businesses exist.
It seems they have developed a nice economic moat across the 3 sections of their business offering. It will be nice to see some of these turn into ARR (recurring revenues).
The major risks at these stage are potential contract related issues due to COVID. In contrast, the instability of the global political landscape may prompt the need for nations to use AVA to protect key assets. (such as the deal signed in India).
Definitely one for the watchlist
"Great quarter, guys." But seriously, a fair effort, that.
I was going to write the other day about possible reasons for the market's coolness toward Ava Risk, but it seems the market just had no inkling of today's mostly very predictable good news that was also foreshadowed in a market-sensitive update only a few weeks ago. Blame Ava Risk's management for not launching a loss-making division in online retail, SaaS, COVID vaccines or unsecured BNPL loans.
But one interesting question remains. Unless I'm mistaken (which is quite possible!), Technology did not have a good Q4. Ava has been cagey about this but the guidance in early July mentioned $2.5m in delayed orders and alluded to difficulties. You, or at least I, can see this when putting all the numbers together. I get about $1.2m in non-IMOD revenue for Q4, which is down from $3.8m in Q3. Even if you add in the delayed orders it's still flat. While I haven't double-checked, I think the $4m in FCF is pretty much coming from Services, which Ava Risk wants rid of, and IMOD, which is lumpy and finite. IMOD also flatters margins (albeit there were signs of non-IMOD operating leverage in Q3).
The lure of Ava Risk has been a value stock with growth optionality and there are several ways for it to do well. But the preferred way is for Technology (chiefly FFT) to grow organically at a good clip, helped by Aura IQ and Defence tailwinds, and for Services to be sold at a good price. Neither of these things is looking compellingly likely to me just at the moment. I'm hopeful that will change but given the ramping and self-congratulation I thought a note of caution might be in order.
Disclosure: hold a tiny amount.
30 Jul 20: Diary of an Investor: AVA on 4Q20 4C Release
The AVA 4Q20 was released around 8:30am and I realised that it was a really good result and will most likely cause a spike in the share price. I wanted to average up the holding so I made a mental note to put an order on open.
However, a whole heap of other 4Cs came out. I made the decision to sell my holding MOB based on it's 4C. I also happened to be listening in to the Coffee Microcaps call (talk about multi tasking!).
So when it close to the open, I was focused on making sure that the MOB sale went through as it is a fairly illiquid stock. But then the price trigger went off for AVA pricing through $0.20. Then I released I forgot to put the order on for AVA (doh!).
After the MOB trade went through I went to the put on the order for AVA but it had already gone from $0.20 to $0.22. I normally would hesitate to chase a stock up especially when it had popped 25% already on the day but even at $0.22 I considered the stock undervalued on the fundamentals so I bit the bullet and when through with the order.
To my disappointment, the stock then started dropping to below $0.20 and to $0.19 and I was starting to doubt my decision. Had I made a mistake? I knew that AVA had burnt shareholders previously so that there would be selling pressure but I didn't know how much.
I left for meetings and didn't follow what was happening (probably a good thing).
In the end, the buyers won out and the stock ended on it's 12 month high of $0.255.
Not sure if all the sellers have been flushed out yet, but it is a possible fort he stock to have ended on a new high.
Fundamentally, the stock is not expensive, based on today's forecast for FY21.
Key takeaways:
1) $4 M positive cashflow for the quarter !
2) Company again highlights it has 100% margin revenue of $10 million forecast for FY2021 (no one seems to be listening!)
3) Services division reported strong growth in Q4 - previously reported.
4) Technology divison reported winning a defence contract (no value provided) and advised there are several "Proof of Value" trials for its Aura IQ conveyor health monitoring solution.
5) Gross margins were above 50%, despite the services division GMs running at 25%.
Very profitable 2nd half of the year, resulting in $5.7 M free cashflow generated for the full year, or 2.3 cents per share.
If AVA can execute on sales of its Aura IQ product, it looks very cheap at the current share price.
The CEO unfortunately made a bit of a meal of the announcement, but it is good news.
IMOD Contract has a value of $16.7 Million AUD, and is the sale of the licence to use and manufacture AVA's technology. i.e. This revenue has a gross margin of 100%.
AVA Risk recognised $5.2M in FY2020, and will recognise Around $10M in revenue in FY2021. i.e. recognise $10M in gross profit for this one project in FY2021.
AVA Risk report their Services Division report seperately, as they are seeking to sell this non-core division ove rhte next 6 months. They reported the following performance:
1) $9.7 M revenue for the quarter, achieving $25.1 M in revenue fo rthe full years, representing 57% growth in revenue.
2) Threefold increase in clients over the year.
3) Gross margins increased to 25% from 21% over the year.
4) EBITDA of $2.3 M for the year.
5) Merger of largest and 2nd largest competitors creating opportunity to expand market share.
The group is on track to achieve $40 M in revenue this FY, and to double EBITDA to around $5 million. This would value the business at around $20 Million at a 4x EBITDA multiple. Given AVA has a market cap of around $40M, the sale of this business could unlock a lot of value, given the core technology business is high margin, high growth business, with $23 million in revenue.
Highlights:
1) Q4 revenue beat by 17%.
2) FY2020 estimated to be $45M, $2M above previous guidance.
3) FY2020 EBITDA forecast to be $6.8M (noting the ITDA will be around $2.4M). Meaning profit after tax of $4.4M.
4) Big news: Scott Basham, CEO has resigned. Rob Broomfield, COO of the technology divison will take over.
5) Technology Division is experiencing order delays due to COVID-19, with staff WFH on reduced hours & pay, but some improvement over June.
Great result, but losing Scott, after turning the ship around, is a loss.
If AVA can continue to grow revenue, and execute, they are very cheap at these prices, however, there si some uncertainty as a result of Scott's departure.
https://arichlife.com.au/ava-risk-group-asx-ava-may-offer-asymmetric-opportunity/
A very good post about AVA by Steve McCarthy from DMX capital. A must read before investing in this company.
•Strong management team surpassing expectations in a short time
•Management has 5.8% stake with significant increased insider buying recently
•Provide a number of different products, servicing multiple markets and customers in multiple countries
•Possess a strong moat/competitive advantage with their patented products and tech
•Strong balance sheet and fundamentals – gross margins of 19% (services division) and 79% (tech divisions), trading at 1.1x annual revenue and 2.6x gross profit with an EV of $34,858,000.
•Zero debt
•Profitable
•High-quality B2B customers - recent contracts with Australian DoD and Indian Ministry of Defence and other current customers including NATO, US Dept of Homeland Security, Lockheed Martin
•Strong tailwinds with cyber terrorism on the rise and the U.S. implementing strict cyber security measures, rolling out as early as next year, for anyone along the supply chain dealing with defense contracts
Having so quickly reached positive cash flow and profitability under new management, Ava Group appears to be hitting an inflection point. High growth potential and undervalued.
Disclaimer: I hold a small position in AVA
About Ava Risk Group
The Ava Group is a market leader of risk management services and technologies, servicing industrial, military and government clients globally.
The Group features a range of complementary solutions including intrusion detection and location for perimeters, pipelines and data networks, biometrics, card access control and locking as well as secure international logistics, storage of high value assets and risk consultancy services.
Ava group is made up of 3 divisions:
Services division consisting of Ava Global
Technology divisions consisting of BQT solutions and Future Fibre Technologies (FFT)
Future Fibre Technologies
FFT has developed a portfolio of products designed for intrusion detection and location. FFT delivers enhanced signal processing and event discrimination, while offering strong integration capabilities.
What they offer is fibre optic cables that can be:
Strung along any type of fence to detect and pinpoint the location of disturbances including cutting, climbing, and lifting.
Buried underground above any critical infrastructure (think pipelines or internet cables) allowing real-time detection of any drilling, digging etc preventing damage. FFT Covert buried solution can detect even the smallest vibration for example walking, crawling, digging or vehicle movement.
Used in data network infrastructure protection as cyber security. “Dark cables” are applied within network cables to detect and locate disturbances, intrusion attempts, tampering, and data tapping activities to within 5 metres along data networks and can be applied anywhere from local data centre LANs to long-distance WAN transport. Detection can extend anywhere in parallel to the sensitive cable to include cable trays, conduit, pathways and cable distribution systems. The system can monitor copper, fibre and even physical adjuncts such as racks and trays for similar disturbances.
FFT’s Data Network Infrastructure Protection solutions can work stand along or in conjunction with customer’s existing Network Management System.
With numerous international patents, FFT’s technology is unique and proven.
Their cables have a lifespan of 20 years, require little to no maintenance, require no power, and are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
Incorporates Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Analysis – maximising discrimination between intrusions and environmental nuisance sources including wind, rain, traffic, machinery and aircraft.
Future Fibre Technologies products are deployed by some of the most security conscious sectors in the world including, military, oil and gas, extractives and energy, transportation, and utilities.
Clients using FFT for their critical infrastructure protection:
Australian DoD, NATO, Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemicals, Kennedy Space Center, Lockheed Martin, US Marine Corps, Woodside Petroleum, US Air Force, US Army, US Border Patrol, US Dept of Homeland Security, US Marine Corps, Siemens, Shell and the list goes on.
BQT
BQT Solutions PTY LTD is a specialist in the development, manufacture and supply of high quality, high security card and biometric readers, electromechanical locks and related electronic security products.
They have a breadth of solutions and product ranges to tailor solutions to individual customer’s needs.
Products include a range of:
Biometric readers - BQT’s line of Biometric Readers combines our traditional line of readers with leading-edge bio-verification technologies including finger and Iris reader technologies for secure options right up to Military grade encryption.
Locking - physical
Access Control – smart cards readers and contactless smart card technology
Ava Global
Ava provides international secure logistics, through a partner network of independent service providers, of high value cargo on a fully insured door-to-door basis. This includes armoured vehicle collection and delivery at origin and destination, secure storage, commercial and chartered air and sea freight and customs brokerage services.
Servicing the following markets:
Bullion traders, Governments and central banks, Refineries, Financial institutions, and consulting services.
Management
On March 11 2019 Ava Risk Group appointed Scott Basham as CEO. Not long before that they hired a new CEO for their services division (C Fergus), a new Non-Executive Director (M McGeever) and a new Chairman (D Cronin). In this short period of time new management has been quietly achieving as well as buying up shares.
Achievements:
Invested $19,000 on PPE in first quarter of 2020
Improved margins and grew cash from operating activities from negative $535,000 to positive $712,000; achieving their first 3-month period of positive cash flow.
Achieved net income $1,202,000 (Dec 19) up from previous half -$2,299,000
Services Division (Ava Global) $6.2M Q3 Revenue
•client spend increased 26% to circa A$145m
•gross margins averaged 19%
Technology Division (BQT Solutions and FFT) $6.1M Q3 Revenue
•backlog exceeds $16m
•gross margins averaged 79%