This is For Bars update this morning...

We adjust our Rakon (RAK) forecasts to account for prolonged market weakness in its key Telecommunications segment (~55% of FY24E revenue) following negative updates from key global telco players. Nokia (NOK) and Ericsson (ERIC) reported 1Q24 numbers in the last week, with both experiencing notable revenue declines. NOK reported a significant fall in sales, led by a deep contraction in its network infrastructure and mobile networks divisions. Similarly, ERIC experienced a downturn in sales, calling out a slowdown in 5G network deployment in its critical North American market as a key driver. While our FY24 estimates already align with the lower end of RAK's guidance, we reduce our FY25/FY26 estimates as we push out a recovery in Telecommunications. Our blended spot valuation falls -2cps to NZ$0.98, and we await news regarding the potential NZ$1.70 takeover offer.

What's changed?
Earnings: Our underlying EBITDA estimates fall -5% in FY25 and FY26, while NPAT falls -9% and -6% respectively.
Spot valuation: Our blended spot valuation falls -2% to NZ$0.98, with weakness in peer comparables also driving the reduction.
Nokia — 1Q24
NOK 1Q24 showcased a challenging market environment, with net sales falling -20%. Its network infrastructure segment saw revenues drop -26%, while mobile network revenue was down -39%. NOK noted that it had seen improved order intake, providing confidence in a stronger 2H24 that should allow it to achieve its full-year operating profit guidance.

Ericsson — 1Q24 sales remaining weak but the company calls out that inventory levels have stabilised
ERIC reported a -15% year-over-year decline in 1Q24 net sales, dropping from SEK$5.7bn to SEK$4.8bn. The Networks segment saw a sales decrease of -21%. Reflecting lower 5G customer infrastructure investment, sales declined by -17% year-over-year in ERIC's primary global North American market. The company noted that customer inventory levels have now stabilised, and it expected a recovery in the second half of 2024 following recent contract wins. Despite market challenges and cautious customer investment, ERIC anticipates sales stabilisation in the latter half of 2024, supported by a strong pipeline and recent contract wins in North America.

Earnings preview — RAK FY24 result due 29 May 2024, we revise our FY25 and FY26 estimates
RAK is due to report its FY24 result on 29 May 2024. Management has guided to underlying EBITDA in the range of NZ$13m to NZ$19m. Our FY24 estimates have NZ$141.8m in sales (down -21%), underlying EBITDA at the lower end of guidance at NZ$13.9m (down -67%) and reported NPAT of NZ$4.4m (down -81%). We anticipate RAK will update investors about the takeover offer, first announced on 11 December 2023. We cut our FY25 and FY26 revenue estimates by -2% and -3%, respectively, and our underlying EBITDA forecasts by -5% in both years, effectively pushing out the cyclical recovery by ~three months.