FY24 was the first year in a four-year transformation process for Diales. Profitability was ahead of expectations, notwithstanding staffing related issues in North America and two customers falling into administration during the year. The move to a hub-and-spoke delivery model has increased utilisation levels further, with the new ERP software delivering ‘real-time’ information and the scope for greater efficiencies. With an expected easing of economic headwinds and reduced political uncertainty, plus a growing pipeline of opportunities, we anticipate increased expert headcount and rising utilisation to drive further growth and margin expansion within the forecast period. The net cash of £4.3m gives the Board options, not least possible M&A and a completion of the share buyback programme.
Net cash / share currently amounts to 7.9p or 29.5% of the market capitalisation, thereby underpinning the sector-leading yield and current share price. The shares trade at a marked discount to its peers and the introduction of conservative estimates leads us to increase our fair value to 47p / share, from 40p previously, which represents a healthy premium to the current price.
