Getech

02 December 2019
By Maynard Paton

Results summary for Getech (GTC):

• Revenue fell 15% to its lowest first-half level since 2010. At least the H1 operating loss did not increase from H1 2018.

• GTC continues to be dependent on oil and gas operators purchasing its “market leading” data — the income from which remains “lumpy”. 

• The level of recurring revenue implies a lot of work is needed before GTC can sustain positive earnings.  

• The accounts are still rather fragile, with cash flow shored up by tax credits and capitalised development costs becoming more significant.  

• Delays to both a Sierra Leone project and a property sale have not helped support the £9m market cap. I have sold out entirely.

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10 May 2019
By Maynard Paton

Results verdict on Getech (GTC):

• Total revenue gained 11% to set the highest level since 2015. The dominant and more attractive Products division impressed with a 24% revenue improvement.

• Progress was achieved in particular by a last-gasp $3.2m sale that contributed approximately 30% to the top line.

• Profit was hampered by the loss-making Services division, although significant cost savings have since been made.

• The direction of the oil price may largely dictate whether GTC’s oil-exploration software sells well (or not) during 2019.

• The £11m market cap requires greater earnings to underpin obvious upside potential. I continue to hold.

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08 October 2018
By Maynard Paton

Update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2018 published 28 September 2018.

Summary: These figures were not as good as I had hoped. The lowest first-half sales for seven years created a not-insignificant operating loss and left cash flow dependent on tax refunds. Still, the geoscience software specialist talked of a stronger second half and I remain hopeful the accounts will eventually showcase the high margins and expanding revenue the directors continue to predict. For the time being, I just have to trust a stronger oil price can one day tempt GTC’s customers to increase their spending. I continue to hold.

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02 March 2018
By Maynard Paton

Update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Final results for the seventeen months to 31 December 2017 published 28 February 2018.

Summary: A change of year end, various exceptional items, the effect of an acquisition and the company’s own ‘cost base’ definition meant studying these numbers was not straightforward. However, it was clear the geoscience software specialist has returned to profit, while it was also obvious the new boss remains confident about the group’s competitive attractions. Looking ahead, I am still hoping some encouraging revenue talk alongside tight cost controls could one day lead to much higher earnings and decent share-price upside. I continue to hold.

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31 October 2017
By Maynard Paton

Update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Interim results for the twelve months to 31 July 2017 published 31 October 2017

Summary: These results were never going to show a major turnaround, but glimmers of hope continue to emerge at the geoscience software specialist. In particular, a new chief exec has cut costs, reorganised the firm and spotlighted some of the company’s product attractions. True, minimal earnings are likely during the short term. But with the upbeat stock market making obvious buying opportunities hard to find, I am beginning to warm to GTC’s recovery potential. I continue to hold.

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07 April 2017
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Interim results for the six months to 31 January 2017 published 06 April 2017

Summary: Oh dear… you know you have a ‘debatable’ holding in your portfolio when the highlight of a results statement is an 18% reduction to the workforce. That sadly is the case with GTC, as the geoscience data specialist has slashed its cost base and now hunts for income sources away from its cash-strapped oil clients. These H1 numbers were otherwise quite unremarkable, although the new boss has issued a few glimmers of hope for some sort of turnaround. I continue to hold.

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08 November 2016
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Final results for the year to 31 July 2016 published 08 November 2016

Summary: A lot happened at GTC before these results and I am no longer as keen on the group as I once was. That said, the figures from this specialist data supplier to the oil and gas industry were not truly awful — a profitable second half gives hope that one day the business will recover. The asset-rich balance sheet also lends support. But a new boss and various acquisitions just don’t make me entirely comfortable. I continue to hold.

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07 April 2016
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Interim results for the six months to 31 January 2016 published 05 April

Summary: These interim results were poor, but that was no great surprise given GTC supplies specialist data and services to the battered oil and gas sector. At least the promise of cost cuts and a few new contracts ought to signal a better second half. Valuation remains tricky here with reported losses and a scrapped dividend, but the asset-rich balance sheet should see the business through the downturn. I continue to hold.

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03 November 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Final results published 03 November

Summary: Oh dear — a profit warning for 2016. So much for management’s optimism from just a few months ago!  The oil-sector downturn has also created extra guesswork with GTC’s valuation, while I remain concerned about the firm’s hefty development expenditure. Nevertheless, I believe GTC’s range of specialist data and services, alongside an asset-rich balance sheet, should see the firm through the difficulties. I continue to hold.

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24 March 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Getech (GTC).

Event: Interim results and acquisition details published 24 March

Summary: A better-than-expected set of results that was blessed with a reasonable outlook statement — a pleasant surprise given GTC serves the battered oil and gas industry. Progress was not perfect, though, with sizeable intangible expenditure and details of a substantial acquisition leaving me on ‘amber alert’. I am minded to await further results before considering any top-up. I continue to hold.

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13 January 2015
By Maynard Paton

Time now to face up to one of my investment disasters of 2014 — and one that could very well extend deep into 2015 :-(

Getech (GTC) supplies geophysical reports and data to oil and gas explorers — and I believe the recent oil-price slump is likely to have a significant impact on this small-cap’s near-term progress.

Indeed, even before the oil price started to plunge in the Autumn, GTC had already issued two profit warnings — so the immediate omens here are not great. But for better or worse, I am sticking with the share.

In my view, GTC is a fundamentally attractive business that should have the wherewithal to survive the oil downturn. Plus, this holding could in time become a very lucrative recovery story — assuming profits can one day return to levels witnessed during recent years.

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