The G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) share price will be on watch this morning after the release of a trading update.
How is G8 Education performing?
G8 Education has experienced a further recovery in its occupancy since the release of its half year results in August.
According to the release, the childcare centre operator’s like-for-like occupancy currently stands at 75.5%. This represents an occupancy gap of 4.5 percentage points compared to the same period last year. It is also a 5.5 percentage points improvement from its April low at the height of the pandemic.
Another positive is that G8 Education has managed to deliver wage efficiencies in line with its targets for the year. This was driven by the utilisation of its technology platform that forms part of its new rostering system.
This means that on a year-on-year comparison, based on the same occupancy levels as last year, there has been a clear improvement in its wage costs.
However, due to the decline in its occupancy rate, its wage hours per booking metric is currently higher than the prior corresponding period.
Nevertheless, despite the challenges it is facing, G8 Education is still profitable.
The release explains that the company has recorded underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $98 million for the first 11 months of calendar year 2020. This includes current year employment costs relating to its employee payment remediation program.
Outlook.
Management expects 2021 to be a recovery year due to the absence of additional government subsidies and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on its occupancy.
In addition to this, the absence of a 2020 fee increase (as stipulated by the government COVID-19 subsidiary arrangements) and its lower occupancy, is expected to see wages increase as a percentage of revenue.
Gary Carroll, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Progress in our strategic focus areas has been pleasing. Together with our significantly strengthened balance sheet, this provides the group with confidence to increase the pace in our strategic focus areas as they will deliver significant benefits in the medium term. The program costs in 2021 will be carefully managed to ensure they do not result in a material drag to earnings in the near term.”
Where to invest $1,000 right now
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.
*Returns as of June 30th
More reading
- G8 Education (ASX:GEM) share price rebounds after lawsuit news
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.
The post G8 Education (ASX:GEM) share price on watch after trading update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/3mXWhSM
Leave a Reply