The 2015 financial statements published by Malta International Airport plc on February 24, 2016, should not have contained any surprises for market participants and investors who follow the regular company announcements issued by the airport operator.
MIA publishes its traffic results on a monthly basis and given the fact that aviation income accounts for 70 per cent of overall revenue, the movements in passenger volumes are a very reliable indicator for MIA’s financial performance.
Moreover, on November 17, 2015, MIA had also disclosed to the market that during the 2015 financial year, it would be registering a one-off gain of €1.86 million on the sale of its equity stake in Valletta Cruise Port plc.
In fact, pre-tax profits of MIA during 2015 increased by 14.3 per cent to €29.8 million and excluding the one-time gain on sale of the shareholding in the cruise line operator, the growth in pre-tax profits of 7.1 per cent is very much in line with the increase in passenger movements of 7.7 per cent.
However, the major item of interest to the market was the final dividend recommendation. This time last year, the final dividend had surged by 77.8 per cent with the overall dividend payout ratio for 2014 rising once again to 88.5 per cent following the gradual downward trend in the dividend payout from 91.4 per cent in 2008 to 70 per cent in 2013.
The recommendation made by the board of directors of MIA on February 24 to reduce the final dividend payment by 12.5 per cent to a gross dividend of €0.1077 per share (€0.07 net of tax) clearly disappointed the market. As trading resumed on the Malta Stock Exchange on February 25, the share price of MIA dropped by 8.9 per cent to an intraday low of €4.30 before partially recovering to the €4.50 level, representing a decline of 4.7 per cent over the previous day’s close of €4.72 when the equity had also traded up to a fresh intraday record level of €4.76.
However, the major item of interest to the market was the final dividend recommendation
Since the interim dividend distributed in September 2015 was unchanged at a gross dividend of €0.0462 per share (€0.03 net of tax), the overall dividend with respect to the 2015 financial year of €0.1539 per share (net: €0.10) is 9.1 per cent lower compared to the record dividend distribution of €0.1693 (net: €0.11) paid out in respect of the 2014 financial year.
During last week’s briefing with the financial community, MIA’s chief financial officer Karl Dandler defended the company’s decision and clearly indicated that the dividend policy was based on the long-term strategy of MIA and the ambitious investment programme announced a few months ago.
The CFO indicated that while in early 2015 there was no concrete plan for the expansion strategy, the situation is different now and MIA have a very clear idea of the overall development of the airport including the investment related to the non-aviation sector which was announced in the media on December 21, 2015.
Mr Dandler also argued that other European airports did not have such aggressive dividend payout ratios.
MIA’s CFO announced that the company’s intention was to finance the capital expenditure required for the terminal expansion from the company’s internal cash flow while external financing would be considering future projects such as SkyParks 2 and the business hotel.
CEO Alan Borg gave financial analysts a more detailed overview of the expansion plans in the years ahead. Phase 1 of the €8 million investment programme, which will start in the fourth quarter of 2016, is expected to be completed in just under two years.
The terminal expansion as part of Phase 1 will entail the reorganisation of the check-in hall (increasing the desks from 28 to 34), the relocation of the security area increasing the number of security lanes from four to six and the relocation of the La Valette Lounge, which will make way for the security area. The new passenger lounge will be on level 3 replacing the bistro overlooking the runway.
These changes to the terminal will also lead increase the size of the duty free walk-through shop from circa 850 sqm to 1,500 sqm.
The timing of Phase 2 of the terminal extension has not been determined as yet, although the CEO indicated that this can take place at the end of 2018 immediately after the completion of Phase 1.
The €20 million major extension will include an extension to the check-in hall and departures area (the number of desks will increase by a further 15 to a total of 49) as well as an additional three gates to 21.
The expansion of the terminal as part of the second phase will also include new space for food and beverage outlets. Moreover, with respect to the non-aviation sector, the more significant investment would include a €40 million development on a footprint of 4,000 sqm. This will comprise a business hotel and another commercial development following the success of the Sky Parks Business Centre.
MIA’s CEO also indicated that this project, which still requires approval from the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority, will include the construction of an additional floor of parking on top of the existing car park.
MIA’s executive management did not indicate when this project may commence but Mr Dandler remarked that when the time comes, the company would assess whether to finance this project via bank loans or via the bond market. While this ambitious investment programme is exciting news for shareholders, the more immediate focus for investors will be on the number of passengers passing through the terminal given the direct impact on the company’s financial performance.
The airport operator, together with other industry stakeholders (the Malta Tourism Authority and the Tourism Ministry) have been successful in attracting additional airlines to Malta and in getting existing airlines to increase the number of routes over recent years.
The more immediate focus for investors will be on the number of passengers passing through the terminal given the direct impact on the company’s financial performance
In fact, since 2005, the only two years when passenger growth decreased were 2006 and 2009.
Meanwhile, since 2010, total passenger movements have grown at an average increase of six per cent per annum from 3.3 million in 2010 to 4.6 million in 2015. More importantly, while a number of new airlines will be flying to Malta in 2016, the major impact this year is expected to come from Ryanair with an additional 10 routes starting from May 2016.
On the other hand, however, the market will be attentive to developments surrounding the fate of Air Malta and how this will affect seat capacity of the airport’s largest client, especially in the short to medium term.
The news regarding Air Malta will not only play a determining role in MIA’s financial performance going forward but naturally also on the resultant dividend to shareholders.
Given the current interest rate environment which is expected to remain subdued for a prolonged period of time, the dividend of MIA and other companies becomes a more important consideration for all investors.
Edward Rizzo is a director at Rizzo, Farrugia & Co (Stockbrokers) Ltd.
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