Omicron takes its toll on G8 Education’s revenue and occupancy

G8 Education’s (ASX: GEM) shares were down -1.38% at the open following the for-profit childcare giant’s revelations that first quarter operating earnings (after lease interest) profit was $1m compared to $17m in the prior period.

As flagged during the CY21 results, management attributed the disappointing result to the high volume of omicron cases in all markets materially impacting the company’s revenue.

Centre closures and isolation requirements which impacted occupancy and employment costs in January and February were further compounded by flooding in parts of Queensland and NSW.

The net effect saw occupancy fall to -2.1% behind 2021 levels in early March.

However, there has been an increase in conversions in the last three weeks - to be -0.8% behind the previous period as at 3 April - and there remains an encouraging pipeline of enquiries to drive the occupancy recovery.

Key factors

Key factors underscoring a difficult trading environment for G8 Education were:

• $6m in incremental discounting versus the previous period

• The absence of $5m in covid government subsidy that was received in the previous period

• An incremental $2m in employment costs

• Delays in the lead pipeline, omicron case numbers, and widespread weather events, impacting enrolments

• Interest expense (excluding lease interest) for the CY22 is expected to be circa $13.5m with a review of lending facilities to be undertaken in the second half.

Fundamentals

Highlights from the group’s full year ending 31 December included:

• Occupancy of 70.9% versus 67.8% in CY20 and 73% in CY19, reflecting strong H1 occupancy performance

• Operating revenue of $866.3m compared to $777.1m in CY20 and $918.9m in CY19

• Operating earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $80.1m (after lease interest)

• Statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $45.7m, up from Net Loss After Tax of $189m in CY20

• Net debt of $25.9m at 31 December 2021

• CY21 fully franked dividend of 3 cents per share

Cost reductions

Cost reduction measures management expects to deliver short and long-term benefits, include reprioritising discretionary spending and programs.

Total cost reductions are targeted at $13m to $15m for the remainder of CY22, with most expected to be realised in the second half.

These actions are expected to reduce G8 Education’s cost base, particularly in the support office, channelling resources to the group’s centre network, while continuing to enhance the resilience and performance of the business in both the short and longer term.

Commenting on these measures, G8 Education’s CEO Gary Carroll deemed them appropriate in the current environment and at this stage of the group’s transformation program… “enabling us to continue delivering the best quality outcomes for families with a more sustainable cost base.”

Meantime, the group continued its momentum in relation to its Improvement Program (“IP”), with the current cohort of around 140 centres due to be completed by mid-year.

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