This morning leading fleet and equipment leasing company Eclipx Group Ltd (ASX: ECX) announced a strong full year result, culminating in a 14% jump in cash net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) to $55.3 million or 22 cents per share.
On a normal day its shares might have rocketed higher, especially with the bullish guidance management provided. But with the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) deep in negative territory today, its shares have climbed just 1% higher to $3.83 at lunch.
Driving the growth was the impressive increase in the number of vehicles under management or financed. At the end of FY 2016 Eclipx managed or financed a total of 99,254 vehicles across Australia and New Zealand, up a whopping 24% on last year.
Thanks to a 15% increase in new business writings in FY 2016, management believes it has a strong pipeline of future revenue. So much so it is confident enough to provide cash NPATA guidance of $65.5 million to $67 million in FY 2017.
This equates to year-on-year growth of 18% to 21%. If it grows earnings per share by the same rate then I would expect to see EPS in FY 2017 of approximately 26 cents to 26.6 cents.
If the company delivers in the middle of its guidance range then it would mean its shares are changing hands at just 14.5x FY 2017's earnings today.
Considering the strong growth prospects it has, I think the current share price represents great value for investors.
There is of course a lot of choice for investors in the industry with the likes of Smartgroup Corporation Ltd (ASX: SIQ) and SG Fleet Group Ltd (ASX: SGF) to name just two, but Eclipx would be up there as one of the best options in my opinion.
