Advertisement

Ferrari's New CEO: We Will (Almost) Double Profits by 2022

Ferrari (NYSE: RACE) said that it plans to introduce 15 new models, including a range of hybrids and an SUV-like vehicle, as it aims to double its earnings by 2022.

In the company's annual Capital Markets Day presentation on Tuesday, new CEO Louis Camilleri lowered Ferrari's long-term profit guidance slightly from the ambitious goal set by his predecessor. But he emphasized that the company has a plan already underway to maintain its recent strong profit growth.

A black Ferrari Monza SP2, a sleek open-top sports car, viewed from above with its red seats visible.
A black Ferrari Monza SP2, a sleek open-top sports car, viewed from above with its red seats visible.

The new Ferrari Monza is the first of a series of new super-exclusive Icona models intended to boost the company's margins. Image source: Ferrari N.V.

Ferrari just updated its guidance for the next few years

Let's start by looking at Ferrari's previous guidance. Back at the beginning of 2018, Camilleri's predecessor, Sergio Marchionne, confirmed three "mid-term" goals for Ferrari's finances:

  • Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) of 2 billion euros no later than 2022

  • Industrial free cash flow of 1.2 billion euros no later than 2022

  • "Net industrial debt" to zero no later than 2021

Confused? Here's what those terms mean.

Ferrari (like other automakers) uses "adjusted" to mean "excluding one-time items." Adjusted earnings numbers are thought to give a better view of the performance of the business over time.

"Industrial" is Ferrari's term for debt and cash flow attributable to its core businesses: automaking, racing, and the sale of engines and other parts. Put another way, it excludes cash and debt related to the company's financial-services unit.

"Net industrial debt" is Ferrari's term for debt, minus its cash on hand and receivables. It stood at 472 million euros as of the end of the second quarter of 2018. Not counted in that calculation: Ferrari also has 500 million euros in available credit lines.

Got all that? Now let's look at the very detailed guidance that Ferrari gave on Tuesday.

Ferrari's new guidance is both more and less aggressive

Here are the financial targets that Ferrari is aiming to hit in 2020 and 2022. I've included its actual 2017 results for comparison. Note that all financial figures are in euros.

Metric

2020 goal

2022 goal

2017 actual

Revenue

More than 3.8 billion

Less than 5.0 billion

3.4 billion

Adjusted EBITDA

More than 1.3 billion

Between 1.8 billion and 2.0 billion

1.0 billion

Adjusted EBITDA margin

Over 38%

About 34%

30%

Adjusted EBIT

More than 0.9 billion

More than 1.2 billion

0.78 billion

Adjusted EBIT margin

About 24%

Over 25%

23%

Adjusted earnings per share, diluted

More than 3.40

More than 4.70

2.82

Industrial free cash flow

More than 0.40 billion

1.10 billion to 1.25 billion

0.33 billion

Data source: Ferrari N.V. "EBITDA" = earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization. "EBIT" = earnings before interest and tax. "Adjusted" figures exclude the impact of one-time items. "Industrial free cash flow" is cash flow attributable to Ferrari's core businesses (autos, parts, and racing); it excludes cash flow related to its financial-services unit.

As you can see, Camilleri has backed off a bit from the profit goal set by his late predecessor in February. But there's good news on one other front not shown in the table: Ferrari said that it now expects to be free of net industrial debt by 2020. That said, the revenue, margin, and overall growth goals are still very ambitious, especially given that emissions regulations are tightening around the world, and Ferraris are not exactly green cars.

How Ferrari will deliver on those financial goals

How will it hit those numbers? With 15 new products -- some intended to boost overall sales and others intended to boost margins. The plan is somewhat complicated, but here are the two key takeaways:

  • Ferrari will launch 15 new models by 2022, including new not-so-hard-edged "gran turismo" offerings aimed at increasing sales particularly in China. The goal is to incrementally increase overall annual sales without compromising Ferrari's exclusivity and pricing power. Ferrari will do that by entering new market segments: A new Ferrari SUV called the Purosangue is in the works.

  • New high-priced (think seven figures) Icona models aimed at Ferrari's most favored customers (translation: wealthy enthusiasts who already own several Ferraris). These will be strictly limited editions, aimed at increasing Ferrari's already-hefty margins.

Ferrari's product plan also anticipates tightening emissions and fuel-consumption rules in its key markets: the U.S., China, and the European Union. Ferrari plans to make much wider use of hybrid technology across its portfolio in order to ensure that it can still offer its iconic internal-combustion engines while complying with these stricter regulations.

Is this going to work?

I think it will work, if -- and this is a big "if" -- the global economy cooperates. Because of its high prices, small annual volumes, and wealthy clientele, Ferrari is probably less vulnerable to a downturn than major automakers. But a steep recession between now and 2022 could leave it short of its growth goals by the end of the period.

So how should investors view this, then? Ferrari's stock isn't cheap at around 38 times earnings. That's a rich valuation even for a luxury-goods company, never mind an automaker. Still, when a 70-year-old company with some of the best margins in its business says that it will roughly double its profits over the next four years while improving its margins further, it's worth taking note.

Long story short, I think there's a very good chance that Ferrari will deliver on these ambitious profit-growth goals -- if not by 2022 then soon after. If it does, I think there's room for the stock price to increase nicely by then. Just be aware that the ride from here to there could be bumpy.

More From The Motley Fool

John Rosevear has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.