The growing trend for flexible working is likely to be reflected in positive results from serviced-office landlord Regus (RGU) when it reports interims on 26 August. But despite this strong momentum we suggest investors steer clear of the £1.6 billion cap which is trading at a near-200% premium to the value of its assets.
Regus provides offices, meeting rooms or just a desk with an internet connection and a landline at some 2,000 locations across 100 countries, and is currently in the process of adding an additional 300 new sites this year. Acquisitions play a huge role in its growth strategy, adding 123 centres in the first quarter. New additions will be funded by its free cash-flow, which is expected to grow 24.8% this year to £218.9 million, a figure which is vulnerable to currency headwinds.
Investec?s 10.5p prospective earnings per share forecast puts the company on a price to earnings ratio of 17.9, which looks expensive even if you primarily view it as a trading operation. However, due to its main assets being bricks and mortar Shares would argue the firm really needs to be viewed as a property company, in which case the eye-watering 186% premium to this year?s forecast 65.8p net asset value per share is a major red flag.
[buy_or_sell s]
At 188.4p Regus looks too expensive.
[broker_consensus 4 2 1 0]
