The price has actually been slowly falling for the past couple of weeks - not clear why but my guess would be that it is linked to our huge expenditure this summer, it is obviously far more than we have spent for many years
Hi, I'm quite new to reading and analysing Financial Statements (Just started University a few weeks ago). But may I ask how our squad having expenditure of nearly 25% of the company's actual worth not reasonable? Our Operating expenses are about 269.422m while our Revenue is at 336.943m, and profit for the 9 month period is at 29.661m. From what I understand, don't manufacturing firms operate similarly? For example, one of the largest plastic moulding firms in the world, Foxconn's expenses are about 20-30% of their firm's actual worth, which is in the hundreds of billions of dollars in terms of expenses. But their revenue exceeds it, and I would think that as an investor, Foxconn would be a relatively safe firm to invest in.
And from what I have read, many stockholders take priority in looking a firm's cash flows rather than the income/balance sheets. At 34.33m worth of available cash flows for the firm, I would think that our team is in a relatively healthy position? Isn't it good to note that our cash flows aren't too high, nor is it too low for a firm of United's size? (Not losing the opportunity cost of investing or lack of "rainy-day" funds that the fund may need to use in emergency situations)
That's just my first impression from what I currently know about Financial Statements and how I would personally assess a firm. Of course, there are major gaps in my knowledge, but United doesn't really sound like a high-risk investment to me.
Right. Meant to that there is cash to pay the transfer fees assuming that they all aren't paid up front given EBITDA. If they are all paid up-front, then we should see a big slug of cash go out in this quarter.Player purchases go on the balance sheet and cash comes from the bank to pay for them. Player values will be amortised, presumably over the life of their contract but, amortisation is part of ITDA(mortisation), so has no effect on EBITDA. The loan fee for Falcao would however, go straight to P&L and would be included.
Coincidently I was just reading a fresh article from a fund I'm invested in. It quotes Warren Buffet and jumped to mind when I read the bolded part of your post:
Every investor has their own investment strategy and priorities though of course. I doubt your average investor is interested in sports clubs purely for financial reasons, as there must be better options elsewhere.
In his 1979 letter to shareholders, Mr Buffett stated: “The primary test of managerial economic performance is the achievement of a high earnings rate on equity capital employed (without undue leverage, accounting gimmickry, etc) and not the achievement of consistent gains in earnings per share.
Perhaps you can't apply Buffett's quote to a football club because the 'high earnings rate on equity capital employed' is so uncertain based on how these players who we've paid vast amounts for will perform. In the blink of an eye an injury can cause millions of pounds worth of wages to go down the pan, which makes this all a bit meaningless without the benefit of hindsight.
Player purchases go on the balance sheet and cash comes from the bank to pay for them. Player values will be amortised, presumably over the life of their contract but, amortisation is part of ITDA(mortisation), so has no effect on EBITDA. The loan fee for Falcao would however, go straight to P&L and would be included.
It'll all be down to the impending release of the accounts.
Telegraph reckon it'll be turnover of around £430 million, Ebitda of around £130 million, maybe investors concerned that most of this has been taken up this year with transfers, on top of the new article that Moyes's reign cost us £50 million, this with our slow start to the season just got everyone a bit jittery.
It'll soon bounce back if we get CL next season, if we do, and with the new Adidas deal then the accounts for year after (2016) could see surpass Real Madrid in turnover again, reckon we'd looking at £530-£550 million, with Ebitda of £200 million +.
So basically our amortised cost for this year's transfer would be around £30 million assuming they are all on 5 year contracts, plus £5 million for the Falcao loan?
Do you know what the cost of our previous 4 - 5 years worth of amortised fees are on the balance sheet?
Jesus.. We would be unstoppable.
According to the most recent financials (3Q 2014), United reported £162M of player registrations on its balance sheet and £13.9M of amortization of player registrations in the quarter.
This summer is probably only the beginning of our ability to finally flex our muscles in the market, as a club like United should. I doubt we'll suddenly go back to our penny pinching ways, especially with the money that'll be flowing in.
So around £41 million per year from the profits then? plus this years, could get a bit eye watering for next years accounts.
Hi, I'm quite new to reading and analysing Financial Statements (Just started University a few weeks ago). But may I ask how our squad having expenditure of nearly 25% of the company's actual worth not reasonable? Our Operating expenses are about 269.422m while our Revenue is at 336.943m, and profit for the 9 month period is at 29.661m. From what I understand, don't manufacturing firms operate similarly? For example, one of the largest plastic moulding firms in the world, Foxconn's expenses are about 20-30% of their firm's actual worth, which is in the hundreds of billions of dollars in terms of expenses. But their revenue exceeds it, and I would think that as an investor, Foxconn would be a relatively safe firm to invest in.
And from what I have read, many stockholders take priority in looking a firm's cash flows rather than the income/balance sheets. At 34.33m worth of available cash flows for the firm, I would think that our team is in a relatively healthy position? Isn't it good to note that our cash flows aren't too high, nor is it too low for a firm of United's size? (Not losing the opportunity cost of investing or lack of "rainy-day" funds that the fund may need to use in emergency situations)
That's just my first impression from what I currently know about Financial Statements and how I would personally assess a firm. Of course, there are major gaps in my knowledge, but United doesn't really sound like a high-risk investment to me.
I'm not sure how the stock works but my guess is that United's stock prices has no effect on the club since its the Glazers shares? i.e if the stocks fall its the Glazers that would lose money (if they sold shares) and not the football club?
Not all shares are held by the Glazers. About 16M shares are now held by the public-this will increase by another 12M as the Glazers sell some of their shares.
As you noted, changes in share prices only affect stockholders-which includes my large 10 share block. It has no effect on the club's financial health.
What about dividends?
Not all shares are held by the Glazers. About 16M shares are now held by the public-this will increase by another 12M as the Glazers sell some of their shares.
As you noted, changes in share prices only affect stockholders-which includes my large 10 share block. It has no effect on the club's financial health.
Also, not all shares are equal. The Shares we have floated do not carry the same voting rights as the Glazers shares. Do I have that right?
That's good figures. Now please let's get rid of the debt and the Glazers..
OMFG can't anybody spell "can't" or "their"?
I'm not sure how the stock works but my guess is that United's stock prices has no effect on the club since its the Glazers shares? i.e if the stocks fall its the Glazers that would lose money (if they sold shares) and not the football club?
Actually now that the Glazers do not own the shares, it really does not hurt them at all if the price falls, unless of course they want to issue some more shares. the Glazers already have their money from selling the shares that are now being traded on the stock exchange.
'There' was spelled correctly it was just the wrong word to use.
So that was a random quote...
That's good figures. Now please let's get rid of the debt and the Glazers..
Most likely because our shares are undervalued against the multiple revenue streams we have in terms of global brand, kit deals etc. Our stock price is actually down 20% in the past couple of months, which may have just been people selling their positions after it spiked when LvG came aboard. Now that there's a market dip, the big hedge funds are incentivized to buy the dip to consolidate their positions and profit once the market resumes its upwards drift.
in my opinion, it is down for 2 main reasons: increased supply following the new tranche of shares released a couple of months back plus worries about how much the club needs to spend in the transfer market to get back to the top.
Seems that Ron Baron is not too worried about these short term issues though and obviously sees long term value in the club. Not so sure how healthy it is for 1 investor to hold so much of the floated shares though.
What's not mentioned very often is that George Soros owns something like 8% of the club. He could easily buy them outright if he wanted to, although its unlikely given that he's probably not interested in owning a club.