Skip to content

CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

Capita shares set to slump after major H1 earnings loss

The UK-based outsourcing and professional services company recorded a substantial loss in its half-year earnings on Tuesday after suffering a ‘significant’ hit at the hands of the coronavirus pandemic.

Video poster image

Capita shares are down more than 8% on Tuesday morning after the company reported a £28.5 million loss in its half-year (H1) results.

The UK-based outsourcing and professional services company recorded the loss after it suffered a ‘significant’ hit from the Covid-19 crisis, with the firm warning investors that it is unlikely it will generate sustainable cash flow for up to two years.

‘This crisis has come in a pivotal year for Capita when we had expectations of beginning to generate revenue growth and sustainable cash flow,’ Capita CEO Jon Lewis said in a statement.

‘Instead, we have had to focus on managing our way through the crisis,’ he added.

Capita is trading at 32p per share at the time of publication, with the stock down 80% year-to-date.

Capita H1 earnings: key figures

Adjusted revenue is down 9% to £1.7 billion, with that figure dragged lower by 2019 contract losses and the economic fallout of Covid-19, the company said.

The outsourcing and professional services firm reported a pre-tax loss for the six months ending on 30 June, compared to the £31.2 million the business recorded during the same period a year prior.

Adjusted net debt meanwhile stands at £609.5 million.

Despite the firm delivering £73 million in savings as part of its cost transformation programme, the worrying thing for investors moving forward is the company’s admission that it will struggle to generate cash flow for up to two years.

‘Having reported a first half loss of £28.5 million, Capita is now looking at second half revenues to be flat to slightly down,’ Jeremy Naylor, market analyst and presenter at IG, said. ‘The one highlight is the potential sale of its Educational Software Solutions business, the proceeds of which will be used to bolster the balance sheet.’

This will likely see the a lot of pressure put on the share price, particularly as the company scrapped its dividend. Investors may choose to invest in rival Serco Group instead, with the company reporting a rise in profit earlier in August.

Capita outlook looks grim

In its H1 earnings, Capita said that it will make asset disposals in order to strengthen its balance sheet. However, the company expects the impact of the coronavirus to ‘continue to negatively impact volumes and transactional revenue’ for some time.

Proceeds from asset sales will primarily be used to reduce its debt pile and pension liabilities, the company said.

As a consequence, the firm is focusing on building a more sustainable business, capable of navigating the myriad of headwinds rather than driving growth.

‘We expect to make further disposals which, alongside other measures, will strengthen the balance sheet and help build towards a more focused, sustainable Capita for the long term,’ Lewis added.

‘These are unprecedented times and we need to adapt but our strategy remains the right one.’

How to trade stocks with IG

Looking to trade Capita and other stocks? Open a live or demo account with IG and buy (long) or sell (short) shares using derivatives like CFDs in a few easy steps:

  1. Create an IG trading account or log in to your existing account
  2. Enter ‘Capita’ in the search bar and select it
  3. Choose your position size
  4. Click on ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ in the deal ticket
  5. Confirm the trade

IGA, may distribute information/research produced by its respective foreign affiliates within the IG Group of companies pursuant to an arrangement under Regulation 32C of the Financial Advisers Regulations. Where the research is distributed in Singapore to a person who is not an Accredited Investor, Expert Investor or an Institutional Investor, IGA accepts legal responsibility for the contents of the report to such persons only to the extent required by law. Singapore recipients should contact IGA at 6390 5118 for matters arising from, or in connection with the information distributed.

The information/research herein is prepared by IG Asia Pte Ltd (IGA) and its foreign affiliated companies (collectively known as the IG Group) and is intended for general circulation only. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any particular person. You should take into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation, and particular needs before making a commitment to trade, including seeking advice from an independent financial adviser regarding the suitability of the investment, under a separate engagement, as you deem fit.

No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently, any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Please see important Research Disclaimer.

Please also note that the information does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. Any views and opinions expressed may be changed without an update.

Seize a share opportunity today

Go long or short on thousands of international stocks.

  • Increase your market exposure with leverage
  • Get spreads from just 0.1% on major global shares
  • Trade CFDs straight into order books with direct market access
Learn more

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 20 mins.

The Momentum Report

Get the week’s momentum report sent directly to your inbox every Tuesday for FREE. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming key events to monitor in the coming week, as well as commentary and insight from our expert analysts on the major indices to watch.

For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

<h3>How much does trading cost?</h3>
<h3>Find out about IG</h3>
<h3>Plan your trading</h3>

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.