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magazineHomeserve shares surge higher on bid approach
Homeserve (HSV) 880p
Gain to date: 30%
Original entry point: Buy at 675p, 24 March 2022
Just as soon as we had recommended home repair services group Homeserve (HSV) as a buy on 24 March, its shares jumped sharply following news that Brookfield was considering a possible offer for the group.
Brookfield Asset Management is one of the world’s largest alternative investors with $688 billion of assets under management.
There are a number of factors that make HomeServe a natural target for private equity ownership. These include its inflation-protected, annuity-like income streams. Specifically the defensive and recurring nature of its revenue enables it to support higher levels of debt.
A recent industry transaction, whereby American Water disposed of its US Homeowner Services Group, suggests there could be further upside in Homeserve’s share price.
The sale in 2021 for $1.27 billion, equated to enterprise value per customer of $850, and an EV to EBITDA (enterprise value to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) multiple of 15 times.
Using this same EV to EBITDA multiple it would imply a Homeserve share price of £10. Alternatively using the $850 value per customer generates a value of £14.50.
SHARES SAYS: Sit tight and see how the bid situation plays out.
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