New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm, Forsyth Barr

Forsyth Barr

New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm

We are proud to be a New Zealand owned firm, with 21 offices throughout the country and over 300 employees. We assist personal, institutional and corporate clients providing a full range of investment services.

Forsyth Barr is a foundation New Zealand Exchange firm (NZX) and accredited market participant. We have been confirmed by the Financial Markets Authority as a Qualifying Financial Entity (QFE).

Research is the cornerstone of our advice. We have one of New Zealand's leading teams of analysts. Our global affiliations ensure comprehensive research coverage of all major investment markets.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>We expect combined 1H24 EBITDAF to be slightly down on 1H23, but the prior period benefitted from record-high North Island hydro generation.</li><li>That has meant sector cost of generation has increased, particularly impacting Genesis Energy (GNE). T</li><li>he standout performer will be Contact Energy (CEN) as it reports record half year EBITDAF, however, its outlook for the remainder of 2H24 is likely to be the most subdued due to the effects of its Tauhara geothermal project not coming on line as expected. </li></ul>

We expect combined 1H24 EBITDAF to be slightly down on 1H23, but the prior period benefitted from record-high North Island hydro generation.That has meant sector cost of generation has increased, particularly impacting Genesis Energy (GNE). The standout performer will be Contact Energy (CEN) as it reports record half year EBITDAF, however, its outlook for the remainder of 2H24 is likely to be the most subdued due to the effects of its Tauhara geothermal project not coming on line as expected. 

Electricity Sector - Earnings Growth Stalls — 1H24 Sector Preview

<ul><li>December 2023 saw hydro lake levels fall, wholesale electricity prices rise, and more thermal generation being used; the market will be keen to avoid a dry January.</li><li>Whilst it is too early to be overly concerned, NIWA’s climate outlook points to below average river flows being likely to the end of March 2024.</li><li>We view Genesis Energy (GNE) as the main beneficiary if conditions remain dry, with Contact Energy (CEN) the most exposed. </li></ul>

December 2023 saw hydro lake levels fall, wholesale electricity prices rise, and more thermal generation being used; the market will be keen to avoid a dry January.Whilst it is too early to be overly concerned, NIWA’s climate outlook points to below average river flows being likely to the end of March 2024.We view Genesis Energy (GNE) as the main beneficiary if conditions remain dry, with Contact Energy (CEN) the most exposed. 

Power Points - Dry January Not What the Sector Wants — January 2024

<div><div><div><div><ul><li>New build was the key theme in November 2023. The month saw the completion of Mercury’s (MCY) Kaiwera Downs I wind farm, first power from Meridian Energy’s (MEL) Harapaki wind farm, and first power from Lodestone’s Kaitaia solar farm, New Zealand’s first grid scale solar farm.</li><li>The month also saw Contact Energy (CEN) announce substantial delays and cost increases at its Tauhara geothermal plant.</li><li>Looking to 2024, we expect 2.0TWh+ of generation to start construction, which is in addition to the ~3.4TWh under construction. </li></ul></div></div></div></div>

New build was the key theme in November 2023. The month saw the completion of Mercury’s (MCY) Kaiwera Downs I wind farm, first power from Meridian Energy’s (MEL) Harapaki wind farm, and first power from Lodestone’s Kaitaia solar farm, New Zealand’s first grid scale solar farm.The month also saw Contact Energy (CEN) announce substantial delays and cost increases at its Tauhara geothermal plant.Looking to 2024, we expect 2.0TWh+ of generation to start construction, which is in addition to the ~3.4TWh under construction. 

Power Points - Building Boom Set to Continue — Dec 2023

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Genesis Energy (GNE) had a mixed 1Q24 with normal hydro generation volumes and the effects of the Unit 5 outage only partially offset by a continued strong retail performance.</li><li>The stronger long-term outlook for retail, both better margins and lower operating costs, has lifted our medium-term EBITDAF forecasts ~+4% and target price +10cps (+4.2%) to NZ$2.50.</li><li>GNE is hosting an investor day at the end of November which will reset GNE's future direction. NEUTRAL.</li></ul>

Genesis Energy (GNE) had a mixed 1Q24 with normal hydro generation volumes and the effects of the Unit 5 outage only partially offset by a continued strong retail performance.The stronger long-term outlook for retail, both better margins and lower operating costs, has lifted our medium-term EBITDAF forecasts ~+4% and target price +10cps (+4.2%) to NZ$2.50.GNE is hosting an investor day at the end of November which will reset GNE's future direction. NEUTRAL.

Genesis Energy - Retailing Future Profitability—1Q24 Op Stats

<ul><li>October 2023 saw the electricity sector start to show some value with share price declines.</li><li>However, that has been short-lived, with the first week of November reversing most of the October movements.</li><li>Whilst there has been some softening in the long-dated ASX futures curve (down -5% during October 2023) we still see further downside risk as new developments continue to make progress to market.</li></ul>

October 2023 saw the electricity sector start to show some value with share price declines.However, that has been short-lived, with the first week of November reversing most of the October movements.Whilst there has been some softening in the long-dated ASX futures curve (down -5% during October 2023) we still see further downside risk as new developments continue to make progress to market.

Power Points - Developing Ventures Jointly—October 2023

New Zealand

Genesis Energy Ltd. generates, transports, and retails electricity. The Company owns and operates hydroelectric generating stations to produce electricity, as well as explores natural gas and bottled liquefied petroleum gas.

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Genesis Energy (GNE NZ)

Electricity Sector - Earnings Growth Stalls — 1H24 Sector Preview

We expect combined 1H24 EBITDAF to be slightly down on 1H23, but the prior period benefitted from record-high North Island hydro generation.

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Dry January Not What the Sector Wants — January 2024

December 2023 saw hydro lake levels fall, wholesale electricity prices rise, and more thermal generation being used; the market will be keen to...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Building Boom Set to Continue — Dec 2023

Looking to 2024, we expect 2.0TWh+ of generation to start construction, which is in addition to the ~3.4TWh under construction.

Forsyth Barr

Genesis Energy - Retailing Future Profitability—1Q24 Op Stats

Genesis Energy (GNE) had a mixed 1Q24 with normal hydro generation volumes and the effects of the Unit 5 outage only partially offset by a...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - Developing Ventures Jointly—October 2023

October 2023 saw the electricity sector start to show some value with share price declines. However, that has been short-lived, with the first week...

Forsyth Barr

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