With over 40 companies presenting over the course of the Macquarie Securities conference there is a wealth of information for investors to take in and process. It was run as part of an operating division of investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG).
Here's a summary of a few highlights:
- Austbrokers Holdings Limited (ASX: AUB) which incorporates 47 insurance broking groups and one financial services operation has had eight years of continuous double-digit profit growth. It looks like this may be coming to an end with management providing earnings guidance of between 5% and 10% in adjusted net profit after tax (NPAT).
- Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL) has set itself the task of consolidating the predominately single practice vet clinic and pet care market which has an estimated market size of $7 billion. The recent merger with Petbarn has created a significantly larger combined group with a market capitalisation of $720 million with management forecasting revenue, NPAT, and earnings per share on a pro-forma basis of $443 million, $21.5 million, and 23.8 cents respectively for the financial year ending 30 June 2014.
- Recall Holdings Ltd (ASX: REC) which operates across the fields of document management storage, secure destruction services and data protection services first traded as a separately listed entity from Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB). At the conference Recall's management stated that they expect Recall to pay its first dividend in September/October 2014, with franking to be in the 20% to 40% range. Management also took the opportunity to update investors on recent events. Firstly, a large global contract win with HSBC that Recall recently secured; the contract covers 10 countries for 10 years. Secondly the US$47 million acquisition of New York-based records management company CitiStorage.
- Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) whose share price is still trading near a decade low outlined its plans for strengthening its core business through six key strategies, which included reducing debt by $1 billion and achieving cost savings of $2 billion through measures which include cutting its workforce.
Conferences such as these can be a great way for investors to expand and refresh their knowledge of companies they follow and also to discover brand new investment ideas.
