Why the CleanSpace (ASX:CSX) share price is freefalling 23% today

CleanSpace shares can't catch a break today.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The CleanSpace Holdings Ltd (ASX: CSX) share price is plummeting during early morning trade. This comes after the respiratory protection equipment company announced its unaudited results for the second-half of the 2021 financial year.

At the time of writing, CleanSpace shares are down 21.37% to $1.49.

shocked man with hands over his face with a declining graph in background representing falling CleanSpace share price

Image source: Getty Images

How did CleanSpace perform in the second-half of FY21?

Investors are heading for the hills, selling CleanSpace shares following its latest performance update to the ASX.

For the 6 months ending 30 June 2021, CleanSpace reported revenue to fall at $10.2 million. This is a significant drop from the $39.7 million recorded in the first-half of the 2021 financial year. CleanSpace stated that United States vaccination rollout programs, oversupply of disposable masks, and extended lockdown restrictions impacted its result.

The company maintained a gross margin of 72% for H2 FY21, broadly in line with the prior period of 78%. This is encouraging despite the shift in sales mix from higher margin healthcare to industrial sales.

Statutory earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) are estimated to come at a loss. The business is forecasting negative $2.1 million to negative $1.9 million after accounting adjustments are made. The disappointing result will drag down overall EBITDA between $17 million to $17.2 million for the entire FY21.

CleanSpace declared a cash balance of $38.2 million at the end of June, after paying a $5.2 million tax liability. Complementing the healthy balance sheet, the business minimised cash outflows whilst investing in the sales capability and other growth initiatives.

During the second-half, CleanSpace continued to increase unit sales from an improved customer base across its Healthcare and Industrial segment. It added over 50 new hospitals in the United States, more than 20 in Europe, and above 200 in Asia. In the Industrial sector, the business saw 8 new United States mining customers included in the mix.

Pleasingly, the United States government is seeking to protect COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers with powered air-purifying respirators or elastomeric respirators. This is expected to benefit CleanSpace, as it holds clinically designed best-in-class powered air-purifying respirators.

What did the CEO say?

CleanSpace CEO, Dr Alex Birrell noted that the operating environment has been challenging. However, the business is advancing its programs to support growth in the current climate. He said:

The business is committed to accelerated growth for market adoption by expanding our pipeline through aggressive sales and marketing activity, stakeholder engagement and our R&D roadmap.

CleanSpace is pleased to see countries with high vaccination rates that underpin the path to economic recovery; with customers and policy makers (as seen by the new OSHA Standard) now far more educated about respiratory protection, our technology is well positioned both in health and industry to meet their needs.

The company did not provide a guidance for the 2022 financial year, given the uncertain trading conditions.

About the CleanSpace share price

Over the last 12 months, CleanSpace shares have underperformed the broader ASX market, down almost 80%. Most of these losses have come this year after its massive fall in late March following a trading update.

On valuation grounds, CleanSpace presides a market capitalisation of roughly $145 million, with approximately 77 million shares outstanding.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CleanSpace Holdings Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Fallers

An arrow crashes through the ground as a businessman watches on.
Share Fallers

Warning: Corporate Travel shares have crashed 80%. What on earth just happened?

An 80% crash has left investors asking what went so wrong.

Read more »

Stressed businessman sits in panic amid digital stock market financial background.
Share Fallers

The five worst-performing ASX 200 shares in August unmasked

Investors sent these five ASX shares crashing 17% to 23% in August. But why?

Read more »

Stressed businessman sits in panic amid digital stock market financial background.
Share Fallers

Why Megaport, Lendlease and JB Hi-Fi shares all crashed 14% to 15% this week

ASX investors punished Lendlease, Megaport, and JB Hi-Fi this week. But why?

Read more »

Woman checking out new laptops.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Down 14% today: Are JB Hi-Fi shares now a bargain-bin buy?

Could JB's plunge mean a bargain buy?

Read more »

A man sitting at his desktop computer leans forward onto his elbows and yawns while he rubs his eyes as though he is very tired.
Share Fallers

Why did DroneShield shares crash 30% in July to new one-year lows?

DroneShield shares got smashed in July. But why.

Read more »

Man with his head on his head with a red declining arrow and A worried man holds his head and look at his computer as the Megaport share price crashes today
Share Fallers

Down 43%! What on earth happened with Liontown shares in July?

Investors pummelled Liontown shares in July. Time to buy?

Read more »

A bored woman looking at her computer, it's bad news.
Share Fallers

These were the worst-performing ASX 200 shares in July

These shares had a tough time in July. Let's find out why.

Read more »

A man dressed in a business suit freefalls from a rocky cliff with a grey sky background.
Share Fallers

Why these 3 ASX 200 stocks are crashing in this week's surging market

Investors sent these three ASX 200 shares tumbling 15% to 18% in this week’s rising market. But why?

Read more »