Is Coles Building A Moat Or Playing Catch-Up?
Australia | 10:00 AM  Short-term pains are expected to help set Coles up for long-term gains, but some brokers question whether a major lift in capex is too little too late to play catch-up with Woolworths  -Coles' capex to refocus more on growth less on maintenance, new stores & renewals  -Benefits from new automated DCs to commence from FY25  -Normalising consumer behaviour to drive medium-term upside  By Mark Story  To avoid the risk of being left behind in the supermarkets stakes, Coles Group's ((COL)) management recently flagged that theyre putting what CEO Steven Cain euphemistically referred to as the foot down on the accelerator. The market is encouraged that Coles is finally trying to catch up after a period of underinvestment relative to Woolworths. For example, Coles' capex (capital expenditure) to sales pre-covid ratio of 2% compares with Woolworths 3.2%. While Woolworths has had a relatively consistent reinvestment rate of 45-50%, Coles dropped its reinvestment rate in FY20. At its recent startegy day update, Coles outlined the key initiatives to drive longer term growth through increased investment in areas such as data, e-commerce, technology, automation, range, stores and sustainability. While no trading update was provided, management noted the normalisation in consumer behaviour witnessed in early fourth quarter 2021 has continued. Equally encouragingly, Coles' market share improved to 26.7% in April as structural shifts unwound. Product range was also a key focus, with stores to offer a more tailored range to suit local tastes. Currently, around 27% of stores are tailored and the company is on track to tailor 40% of stores by FY23. Supporting the range will be ongoing expansion of the Own Brand portfolio that allows Coles to differentiate through exclusive products. The compnay also plans to accelerate investment in Coles Local and Liquorland renewals, and new store rollouts with a focus on high-quality locations and formats. Management noted that its Smarter Selling cost-out program is on track to deliver $1bn savings by FY23. Coles is also on track to deliver $550m-plus cumulative benefits by FY21, with a further $200m of benefits expected in FY22. Due to the increased investment, management has forecast FY22 capex to rise to $1.4bn versus $1.1bn in FY21, while in FY22 depreciation and amortisation (D&A) is also expected to increase to $1.67bn-1.72bn. In addition to increased capex, depreciation was impacted by the Witron Queensland site being recognised on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset. Depreciation will be further impacted in FY23 as both Witron and Ocado assets begin to depreciate. Unlike in years past, Coles has suggested that the companys capex profile in FY22 is expected to be more focused on growth and efficiency and less on maintenance and new stores/renewals. Overall, Coles plans to increase its technology spend in FY22 to 1.9x of FY18. Despite the increased medium term capex profile, management reiterated its 80-90% dividend payout policy. Negative hit to near-term earnings  But the decision to increase capital investment by 30% next year by around $400m to $1.4bn has raised shareholder and broker concerns alike, and together with an increase in guidance for D&A expense has led some brokers to lower FY22-23 earnings forecasts. Brokers recall that during its 2019 strategy day, Coles indicated capex was not expected to exceed $1.0bn annually in peak years of supply chain modernisation (FY21/22). By comparison, capex guidance in FY22 of $1.4bn, implies 57% growth on FY19 and 68% on FY20. Citis earnings forecasts are largely unchanged in FY24 and FY25 as one-off costs roll-off, efficiencies are realised and reinvestment in the customer begins to deliver better sales growth. But Citi has downgraded earnings by -4% in FY22 and -8% in FY23, as the broker factors in higher D&A and a step-up in supply chain implementation opex (operating expenditure) in FY23. After factoring in a step up in capex, guidance around higher D&A charges and additional costs around supply chain opex of $75m in FY22 and $160m in FY23, Citi has downgraded its Coles recommendation to Neutral from Buy and lowered to target price to $17.20 from $18.00. Despite higher reinvestment, Credit Suisse, like Citi, has not materially changed the brokers outer year earnings forecasts. The broker has downgraded Coles to Neutral from Outperform, with the target price falling to $17.16 from $18.19. However, Credit Suisse is less concerned about higher opex, with the broker attributing lower FY22-23 earnings forecasts almost entirely to increased guidance for D&A expense in FY22. Positive future returns  While Morgans expect Coles' increased investment to be negative for near-term earnings, the broker expects longer-term benefits to be positive. Morgans assumes minimal revenue benefits in the short term, but decreases FY22 and FY23 earnings by -6% and -7% respectively, largely on the back of updated D&A forecasts. While near-term capex will be elevated, Morgans expects this to be supported by the strong balance sheet with first half 2021 net cash at $38m (ex-leases).