EM CEEMEA CREDIT: Czechoslovak Group: Q325 results – Solid growth as expected

Nov-18 13:29

(CZGRPA: Ba1/-BB+/BBB-)

  • Credit supportive. Well like credit for obvious reasons, solid growth and robust back log, which looks set to continue for the mid-term. Czechoslovak Group (CSG) reporting solid 9M25 revenues of €4.49bn, we estimate Q325 was €1.67bn or +15.9% q/q, slight uptick compared to Q225.  Revenues for the Defence systems unit was €1408mn (no q/q comparison given) and for Ammo+ was €316mn.
  • EBITDA for 9M25 was €1216mn or 27% margin. We estimate EBITDA for Q325 was €444mn or +11% q/q. Defence system continues to be key with 27% EBITDA margin flat vs Q2, while Ammo+ is also flat at 8%.
  • Given the growth and build out, working capital consumption resulted in operating cash flow consumption of €860mn and FCF consumption of around €1bn. Net debt was reported at €3.6bn (cash and equiv of €837mn). Company calculated leverage is around 2.1x.
  • In terms of outlook, order backlog is solid at €14bn (2.8x) and a further €18bn in negotiation. For FY25 management guidance is revenues >€6.5bn, EBIT margin 24-25%. Company expects mid-teens organic growth in the mid-term.

Historical bullets

LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead Headlined By Delayed CPI Report On Friday

Oct-17 20:51
  • The September US CPI report will be released on Friday, delayed amidst the government shutdown but with the BLS making a special exception on social security payment considerations.
  • Bloomberg consensus looks for headline CPI inflation at a rounded 0.4% M/M after 0.38% back in August and for Y/Y inflation to firm two tenths to 3.1% for what would be its highest since May 2024.
  • Core inflation is seen at a rounded 0.3% M/M after 0.35% in August (exceeding the median unrounded estimate of 0.31%) and 0.32% in July. It’s expected to see core CPI inflation hold at 3.1% Y/Y having in August increased to its highest since February.
  • Core details should see focus on both goods and services angles: underlying goods inflation has clearly firmed in recent months on tariff pressures although the median increase has currently seen a peak back in June, whilst services will be watched for any spillover after some strong recent non-housing readings.
  • The report will come within the FOMC blackout period ahead of the Oct 28-29 decision, with a 25bp cut fully priced and likely needing a large surprise to alter this.
  • As for broader inflation details, Fed Chair Powell this week confusingly suggested that we will have the September PPI report but the BLS had previously said “No other releases will be rescheduled or produced until the resumption of regular government services”.

US DATA: Latest Jobless Claims Estimates During The Shutdown

Oct-17 20:30

As noted earlier, MNI estimates initial jobless claims at a seasonally adjusted 218k in the week to Oct 11 and continuing claims at a seasonally adjusted 1929k in the week to Oct 4. 

  • To give a better idea of sensitivity around these estimates, which rely on estimates for some missing states, we note the below analyst estimates:
  • Goldman Sachs have a central estimate of 217k for initial claims in a range of 211-225k, whilst they see continuing claims at 1917k in a range of 1885-1930k.  
  • JPMorgan meanwhile also see 217k for initial claims whilst they see continuing claims as having held constant at 1927k. 

NATGAS: Venture Global in Talks with Ukraine for more LNG Deliveries, Reuters

Oct-17 20:28

Ukraine is seeking more cargoes from Venture’s Plaquemines facility as the embattled nation approaches the winter heating season, according to Reuters sources

  • Venture is in talks with Ukraine’s DTEK to procure more LNG cargoes after a year of gas infrastructure attacks by the Russians.
  • Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday October 16.
  • DTEK signed an agreement in 2024 for an undisclosed amount of LNG from the facility, as well as 2 mtpa from Calcasieu Pass Phase 2 currently under construction.
  • Plaquemines currently has spare capacity to deliver more cargoes to Ukraine on the spot market, per Reuters.
  • Plaquemines now sends out the second highest LNG volume in the US, with feedgas demand averaging 3.45 bcf/d according to MNI figures.