Don’t write off McGrath shares

This week Money asks Invast for a hot stock pick - McGrath (ASX:MEA)

Key statistics:

10/05/16 closing share price: $1.060 52 week high: $2.030 52 week Low: 0.857 Most recent dividend: - Annual dividend yield: - Franking: -

McGrath shares have been smashed since the initial public offering four months ago. We have no problem with the market response - there has been disappointment over earnings. But now is the time to sit back and have a mature look at the numbers.

The implied EV/EBITDA multiple (enterprise value divided by earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) at $1.10 a share is around 5.5 times. Keep in mind that we are talking about a business that has net cash, no debt and transactional earnings that can fluctuate and cause disappointment.

The fact that McGrath is a listed entity with reasonably strong earnings means that it can go out and consolidate the residential real estate agency market. We see this as a potential national rollout story that needs to be carefully executed.

The market will be cautious but the valuation is compelling. The market loves a good growth story.

McGrath has a huge job in restoring trust but it shouldn't be written off. We see a good opportunity to buy the stock at current levels - more earnings bad news is unlikely and, remember, there is no debt issue, unlike many other cyclical businesses.

Set a stop-loss at around 85-90 cents. Residential real estate sales commissions are estimated at $5 billion a year. It's a huge market.

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