Essay: Financial Performance Analysis Of Downer Group And Aurizon Holdings Limited.

This assessment task is a written report and analysis of the financial performance of two selected listed companies on the ASX in order to provide financial and investment advice to a wealthy investor. This assignment requires your group to undertake a comprehensive examination of corporate financial performance based on update financial statements of the chosen companies.

1.Description of operation and comparative advantages of the two chosen companies.

2 Calculation and comparison of performance ratios of the two companies

3 Analysis of monthly share prices movements of the two companies within 3 years

4 Identify any significant factors which may have influenced the share price of your chosen companies during the time frame.

5 Calculation of Beta values and expected Rates of Return using the CAPM of the two chosen companies

6 Identify and compare dividend policy of the two chosen companies

Description of operation and comparative advantages of the two chosen companies: Prepare a brief description of the chosen companies, outlining the core activities, the market(s) in which they operate within and any factors in the companies’ history which you consider help present the pictures of your companies. Identify and compare their comparative advantages.

Calculation and comparison of performance ratios: using financial data obtained from current financial statements of your selected companies for the past 3 years. Annual reports are accessible via company websites or ASX website. Your client is strongly interested in the three groups of ratios:

- Liquidity ratios;

- Profitability ratios

- Capital structure (leverage) ratios

- You need to provide charts and/or tables for analysis and justification.

. Analysis of monthly share prices movements: Using the information from the ASX website, complete the following tasks:

- Prepare graphs for movements in the monthly share price over the last three years for the companies that you are investigating. Plot them against movements in the All Ordinaries Index.

- Write a report which compares movements in the two selected companies’ share prices to each other and to the All Ords Index. For instance, how are the prices of the two selected moving? In the same trend or diverse trends? How closely are they correlated with the All Ords Index. Above or below? More or less volatile?

Significant factors which may have influenced the share price: Research via the internet or financial/business publications:

Description of operation and comparative advantages of selected companies

The present study is based on an evaluation of the financial performance of Downer Group and Aurizon Holdings Limited. The study covers the description of both companies by considering their operational activities and comparative. Further, it compares and evaluates financial ratio to assess their financial performance over the years. It is followed by share price analysis and implementation of the CAPM model to assess the required return by investors and fluctuation in comparison to a market index. On the basis of the conducted analysis, recommendations will be provided to companies for dividend policy and improvisation in financial performance.

Downer Group is considered as an integrated service corporation that develops, constructs and retains assets, amenities and infrastructure meant for Australian and New Zealand customers. The company has its operations in Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa, South America and the Asia Pacific as a provider of service. It provides a variety of engineering related services are inclusive of facility, project and design management, along with maintenance, consultancies and operating activities respectively(Downer, 2018).The organization of the company is done under six key divisions, namely; transport, technology, communication, utilities, engineering, construction, maintenance, rail and mining. Majority of company’s revenue is generated from the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction within the market and industry of Australia.

The company offers expert services and consultancy in relation to soil, assets management and pavement related resources, recycling and stabilization. Company services comprise the construction of bridges, road, tunnels, pavement and concerned civil structures. It also has integration with wider capabilities which allows end-to-end service, extending and covering overall transport solutions, with effective management and maintenance of road network (IBIS World, 2018).Being the foremost provider of service related to customer rolling stock asset management of Australia, the Group continued to serve feasible and secured services to the ever-evolving and diversified public transport sector. Moreover, the Group has also partnered up with key customers to serve complete solutions throughout the transport domains.

Downer EDI Works Limited is stated as large engineering as well as construction company based in New Zealand with the ownership by Australian Downer Group. The company is engaged in providing management services in regards to engineering and infrastructure to the public as well as privately owned transports, communications, energy and infrastructures(Downer, 2018).The company aims to build and retain the contemporary environment by creating mutual relations with their customers, through ensuring effective customer satisfaction and engagement by making use of top-notch solutions in order to get succeeded. The Group has employed approx56,000 people over 300 locations, principally in Australia and New Zealand. 

Downer provides technological, economical and scheduling capabilities vital to promote optimal design and viability. Further, the construction and manufacturing skills of the Downer Group have been improvised to satisfy the diversified demands of the customer in a range of industries (Australian Constructors Associations, 2018). For assuring a smooth approach, the Group tends to sustain solid in-house engineering and trade abilities in and around electrical, civil and mechanical regulations.

On the other hand, the Aurizon Holdings Limited is rail Freight Company based in Australia, with public listings. The company has the core activities of rail-based transportations. Also, the company has the operations as a strong freight railway operator and the transporter of a range of aspects which are coal, mine, port by rail for the exports market, while it keeps on providing standardized and containerized freight and rail service at simultaneously(REUTERS, 2018). Its core activities and competencies are categorized units its various segments inclusive of operations, network, commercial and marketing and so on.

Downer Group

The network segment of the Group offers accessibility to Central Queensland Coal Rail Network management and operations. This particular segment is also involved in the overhaul provisions and management of rail networking systems. Following this, the commercial and marketing segment is liable for the customer relationship management, business contracts and negotiations. Moreover, the operational segment is obligatory for the national coal delivery and other operation related services (Aurizon, 2018). The company belongs to the rail industry and has major operations within the same. The products of the company are inclusive of coal, containerized freight while and the services are line haul, terminal operations, logistics and supply chain management.

Aurizon is a leading national freight company having the ability to transport freight throughout Australia and other countries as well. Their business operations are created and based on moving a nation, and a detailed variety of goods, inclusive of mining, industrial, agricultural and retail commodities meant for the diversified customers throughout Australia. The company has operations and management activities in the coal rail network within the Central Queensland, with the aim to create new tracks in order to transport freight in an effective manner (Bloomberg, 2018). The Group seeks to provide innovative and quality rail infrastructure solutions inclusive of designing, procurement, construction, maintenance and management of rail assets.

The company has a heavy haul rail infrastructure, plus it offers a variety of expertise and specialist services within rail designing, and moreover, the Group gives large-scale supply chain solutions to various customers (Annual Reports.com, 2017). The company has achieved a number 1 position in the rail industry, by the reinforced renewals and developed business growth, with the improvised coal share and bulk trade of Australia.

Downer Group
Liquidity Ratios	2017		2016	2015
Working Capital Ratio	0.96		1.54	1.35
Average days sales uncollected	86.68		59.94	0.83
Cash Ratio	0.27		0.41	0.26
Quick Ratio	0.87		1.30	1.10

Aurizon
Liquidity Ratios	2017	2016	2015
Working Capital Ratio	0.98	1.14	1.03
Average days sales uncollected	57.61	54.25	53.11
Cash Ratio	0.12	0.09	0.18
Quick Ratio	0.83	0.93	0.82

Analysis

Liquidity ratio represents the capability of a company relating to paying off its short term liabilities through application of assets which can be liquidated easily. The higher the ratio the more preferable it is believed for the organization (Ehiedu, 2014). From above analysis it can be assessed that Downer Group is having higher working capital ratio, cash ratio as well as quick ratio in comparison to Aurizon. The same reveals the fact that Downer Company is having comparatively more liquid asset in order to accomplish its short term requirement. However, as a fluctuating trend can be assessed in case of Aurizon Holding in three years, which implies that company, requires reassessing the manner of application of working capital so that it can be managed with more efficiency. Moreover, cash ratio signifies the availability of cash and cash equivalents in an organization to pay off its current liabilities in case of emergency (Narayanaswamy, 2017). Ideally 1:1 ratio indicates that company will be able to meet its short term payments as well as obligations. Thus, in present case both the companies are having quick ratio approximately and near 1:1; the same implies that significant quantum of liabilities will be accomplished with available funds (Downer Annual Report, 2017). However, Downer Company has managed more appropriate cash in accordance with the requirement of the company; thus it will be able to manage funds in need with an ease in comparison to Aurizon Company.

Aurizon Holdings Limited

Downer Group

Profitability Ratios	2017	2016	2015
Profit Margin	0.02	0.03	0.21
Asset Turnover Ratio	0.97	1.63	0.47
Return on asset	0.02	0.04	0.09
Return on equity	0.05	0.09	0.16

Aurizon
Profitability Ratios	2017	2016	2015
Profit Margin	-0.06	0.02	0.16
Asset Turnover Ratio	0.32	0.32	0.33
Return on asset	-0.02	0.01	0.05
Return on equity	-0.04	0.01	0.09

Analysis

Profitability can be referred as one the most significant variant assessed by investor on primary basis before taking decision relating to investment in a company. From above analysis it can be assessed that Aurizon Company has incurred loss in year 2017 and the same represent the ineffectiveness of management of the company. Moreover, asset turnover ratio of Aurizon is too low in comparison to Downer Group, which signifies that Downer has succeeded in generating appropriate amount of sales through application of assets available with the company (Downer Annual Report, 2016). Overall it can be analyzed that Downer Group has performed comparatively better that Aurizon Company as all the profitability ratios are higher in comparison to another company (Aurizon Annual Report, 2017). The ratios which are evaluated in order to assess the profitability of an organization are also known as financial metrics which assess the ability of an organization for generating profit relative to its associated expenses. In case of Doner Group, it can be assessed that sustainability in profit is not available as a fluctuating trend can be seen in profit margin ration in above table. Though, the company has succeeded in maintaining the profitability for continue three years which proves its sincere efforts for accomplishing its predetermined goals and objectives.

Downer Group

Capital Structure (Leverage Ratio)	2017	2016	2015
Debt to Equity Ratio	0.16	0.29	0.23
Interest Coverage	6.74	6.89	8.53

Aurizon
Capital Structure (Leverage Ratio)	2017	2016	2015
Debt to Equity Ratio	0.66	0.61	0.23
Interest Coverage	0.68	3.66	6.64

Analysis

Leverage ratio evaluates the degree of leverage available in the capital structure of an organization. The variant of leverage is often related to measure of risk. The higher the ratio the more risk is attached with the company (Henderson, Peirson and Howieson, 2015). It can be assessed that in case of Downer Group that debt to equity ratio is too low which signifies that company is depended on its internal funds that is equity and retained earnings for financing its requirement relating to fund. However, the position is not same in case of Aurizon Company as it is having comparatively higher ratio in all the three years which have been analyzed (Aurizon Annual Report, 2018). Moreover, an increasing trend can also be assessed in case of Aurizon, which signifies that company is more and more depending on financing sources for meeting the required funds for operating the company with an ease. Interest coverage ratio evaluates the ease with which company is able to pay off the interest relating to outstanding debt (Brigham and Ehrhardt, 2013). The higher ratio signifies that company is having appropriate profit for paying off its interest relating to long term borrowing. From above analysis it can be assessed that Downer Group is having higher ratio comparatively, thus it will be able to meet out its obligations relating to interest with an ease in comparison to Aurizon Company.

Table 1: Statement showing fluctuations in share prices in comparison to Allord index

	Volatility
Date	DOW AX	QRNNF	All ord index
Source	Downer EDI Limited (DOW.AX), 2018	Aurizon Holdings Limited (QRNNF), 2018	ALL ORDINARIES (^AORD), 2018
Oct-15
Nov-15	-0.28%	10.86%	2.42%
Dec-15	-13.61%	-19.23%	-5.39%
Jan-16	7.07%	-17.56%	-2.15%
Feb-16	20.14%	3.77%	4.12%
Mar-16	-3.13%	15.25%	3.19%
Apr-16	5.11%	12.33%	2.48%
May-16	-2.81%	-2.08%	-2.52%
Jun-16	9.74%	-2.12%	6.28%
Jul-16	17.51%	15.17%	-2.03%
Aug-16	12.74%	0.54%	-0.08%
Sep-16	8.16%	0.92%	-2.22%
Oct-16	-2.74%	3.06%	1.85%
Nov-16	15.72%	-3.50%	3.94%
Dec-16	-5.51%	0.00%	-0.77%
Jan-17	13.39%	5.87%	1.52%
Feb-17	-11.07%	7.28%	2.48%
Mar-17	1.55%	-0.39%	0.74%
Apr-17	8.84%	-6.17%	-3.13%
May-17	0.16%	7.37%	0.05%
Jun-17	-0.78%	1.23%	0.17%
Jul-17	11.95%	-1.94%	0.04%
Aug-17	-4.92%	-1.98%	-0.54%
Sep-17	5.13%	1.21%	4.03%
Oct-17	0.29%	-0.32%	0.79%
Nov-17	-1.14%	0.00%	2.39%
Dec-17	-3.03%	-3.25%	-0.34%
Jan-18	3.12%	-0.79%	-0.48%
Feb-18	-7.50%	-4.76%	-4.06%
Mar-18	9.36%	-2.95%	3.45%
Apr-18	2.18%	0.00%	0.85%
May-18	-3.42%	-2.69%	2.71%
Jun-18	8.85%	-2.92%	1.22%
Jul-18	4.61%	3.65%	0.97%
Aug-18	4.07%	-3.67%	-1.59%
Sep-18	-1.65%	-4.73%	-1.26%

Figure 1: Fluctuations in share prices in comparison to Allord index

Figure 2: Share prices movements

By considering the volatility analysis of both the companies, it can be noticed that Downer EDI Limited is more consistent with the market but Aurizon Holdings limited is highly volatile in terms of market price (Downer EDI Limited (DOW.AX), 2018). Further graphs show that Downer EDI Limited is performing better than the market and but in case of decline, the downturn in price is also higher than the index. In the past three years, the price of Downer EDI Limited is significantly increased, but Aurizon Holdings limited remained the same over the years (Aurizon Holdings Limited (QRNNF), 2018).

Calculation and comparison of performance ratios

There are various factors that can create an impact on the rise and fall of the stock prices, in general, the company performance, progress and earnings are the main variables which are considered by the investors, initially before investing in a company (Minsky, 2016). It can be said that the company earnings of Downer EDI Works Limited are showing an increasing trend in the market, reflecting better growth and performance from the past three years,  that means investors will be more willing to invest in the same company by considering its market position and profitability aspect.

On the other hand,  the profits of the Aurizon Holdings Limited is showing consisting trend, which means the company is at the stage of profit stabilization from  few years, and its profits are neither increasing nor decreasing. Further, by considering this aspect, investor and shareholder sentiment will be affected, and this will case fall or rise in the prices of stock.

Mainly the stock prices are dramatically impacted by company performance, industry performance, inventory confidence and economic factors. The company-related factors that can impact the prices of share are news releases on profits, and the future anticipated earnings, dividend announcements, the launch of new product, employee layoff, estimated takeover or merger, managerial changes, accounting errors or offsetting a large contract (Libby, 2017).

Generally, the company’s stock prices in the similar industry will shift in a cyclic way with one another. It is because the market conditions often impact the companies in the similar industry in a similar manner. However, in some situations, the company’s stock prices can take benefits from the declining share price of another competitor, if both the companies belong to the same market.

Moreover, investor sentiment or self-esteem can create an impact on the market to rise or fall, which can thereby lead the prices to increase or decrease (Luo and et al., 2015). They generally consider the bull market (strong market) and bear market (market) and according make an investment decision.

The CAPM or Capital Asset Pricing Model shows the association among risk of investing and expected return within security. CAPM model explains that an expected return on a security is equivalent to the risk-free return plus a risk premium that depends on the beta of such security (Zabarankin, Pavlikov & Uryasev, 2014). An example of CAPM concept is presented below.  

           

Figure 3:CAPM MODEL

(Source: (Zabarankin, Pavlikov & Uryasev, 2014)

	Aurizon Holdings Limited (QRNNF)	Downer EDI Limited (DOW.AX)
Beta	1.11	0.72

	Aurizon Holdings Limited (QRNNF)	Downer EDI Limited (DOW.AX)
Beta	1.11	0.72
Risk free rate	5%	5%
Risk-free premium	6%	6%
CAPM	Risk-free rate + beta(Risk-free premium)
The required rate of return	12%	9%

Dividend policy is considered as the set of guidelines, which is used by the company in order to make decisions on the shareholder's returns. The investors put more interest towards the maximized returns on their investments and consider more of their wealth maximization. On the other hand, a company is required to offer funds for financing in order to ensure long-term growth. In a situation where a company does the payment of the dividend from most fo its earnings, them for the expansions and requirements of business it has to rely on the external resources, for example, the debt problems or new shares. Further, the firm’s dividend policy, therefore, impacts the long-term financing as well as the shareholder’s wealth respectively. Consequently, the decision of a firm to pay out the dividends should be assessed in a way so as to allocate the distribution of profits and retained earnings equitably. By considering share price analysis and performance evaluation following dividend policy is to be considered by companies:

Analysis of monthly share prices movements

The dividend payment at the standard rate is known as a regular dividend. Further, the investors like the retired individuals, widows and other individuals who are financially weak give preference to regular dividends. This policy will provide following benefits to the company: by establishing a profitable company record, creating self-esteem among the shareholder, facilitating in permanent financing and stabilizing the share’s market value (Renneboog & Szilagyi, 2015). In addition, the common shareholders consider dividends as a funding source to satisfy their daily expenses, and in case there is the non-regular distribution of profits and re sustained, then, in this case, the shareholders might have to pay a higher return upon tax in during the year while there is the distribution of accumulated profits. This policy is also justified for Downer EDI Limited as they can maintain regular dividends with their long-standing and stable earnings.Therefore the company is capable of establishing the constant dividend at a lower rate in comparison to the average earnings generated by them.

Stability of dividends refers to the stability or insufficient variability in the flow of dividend payments. In other words, it is considered as the payment of some minimum amount of dividend on a regular basis (Karpavi?ius, 2014). In this form of dividend policy, the company is required to select policy of Constant payout ratio to compensate for their fluctuating returns. The constant payout ratio means making payment of a fixed per cent of net earnings in the form of dividend every year. Further, the dividend amount in such type of policy changes in a direct ratio to the company’s earnings. The constant pay-out policy is generally prioritized by the company; it is because it is highly associated with their capability to pay off dividends (Lambrecht & Myers, 2017).

By considering the share price analysis and performance analysis of both the companies, it can be said that the performance of Downer EDI Limited is comparatively better than Aurizon Holdings limited. However, both the companies have the scope of improvement that can be attained through compliance of following recommendations:

The general function of an unstable business is that the managerial authorities and business owners are not known about the financial consequences and impacts of their made decisions and actions on a timely basis. Further, this delay in the financial outcomes of decisions can result in the business failure. In this sense, the business plan is required to offset, as a first and foremost concern, the technical and reporting loopholes in the business, so that each involved person is familiar about the effective and non-effective aspects.

The next step in the business planning lies in addressing the drivers of revenue. A detailed analysis is required to be made on the sale of commodities, and the ways by which sales person and managers are motivated and how there is tracking and publicizing of outcomes.

The company that gain success prefer employee engagement, and so the Downer is required to do, and this can be estimated by the commitment of employee towards the organization. The employees who are highly engaged apply full of their knowledge, capabilities, and skills to the company’s success and these loyal employees are committed towards organization in both external and internal way (McKinney, 2015). They provide full attention towards the company and have top performance experience on a regular basis at the workplace. In addition, the employee engagement is measured on the basis of two key factors which are job satisfaction and stay intention.

Conclusion

In accordance with the present study, the conclusion can be drawn that performance of Downer EDI Limited is comparatively better than Aurizon Holdings limited. It is because; there is tremendous growth in their share price of three years of Downer EDI Limited, on the other hand, the share price of Aurizon Holdings limited is the same over the years. Further, similar facts can be noticed in ratio analysis. Therefore, Downer EDI Limited is a better option for investment and Aurizon Holdings limited is required to improvise their performance.

References

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