Web Site : http://www.kentz.com

Kentz Engineers & Constructors have been in the construction business for almost 90 years, operating in over 20 countries world-wide with a turnover of approximately $600 million. Kentz provide a full range of technical and project management skills, from design through procurement, construction, commissioning and start-up to assist world-wide clients in developing and upgrading facilities.

Kentz is a successful engineering contractor, which serves clients
primarily in the oil and gas, petrochemical and mining and metals sectors.
The Company's principal activities are the provision of mechanical,
electrical, controls and instrumentation engineering, construction and
management services

Kentz today is a truely international company with approximately 7,000 staff in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia and is represented by subsidiaries and offices in over 20 countries world-wide.

KENTZ (KENZ)

ORIEL also banged out a BUY note today...

Kentz Corporation Broker Views

Date Broker Recommendation Price Old target price New target price Notes

26 Mar Investec Buy 469.50 600.00 600.00 Reiterates
26 Mar Oriel Securities Buy 469.50 - - Retains


More to come in the next 48 hours.

a lousy 423k shares traded .... as i said, far too illiquid for my taste

BUY here on bar Chart

http://www.barchart.com/quotes/stocks/KENZ.LS

KENTZ (KENZ)

Another broker reported BUY after the
close yesterday, Morgan Stanley Target SP
630p.

Date Company Name Broker Rec. Price Old target price New target price Notes

26 Mar Kentz Corporation... Morgan Stanley Equal weight 469.05 630.00 630.00 Retains

HB Markets Breakfast Today including: KENTZ, Lamprell, Aberdeen Asset Management, Easyje


http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/columns/hb-markets/8809/hb-markets-breakfast-today-including-kentz-lamprell-aberdeen-asset-management-easyjet-8809.html?__utma=159696636.197062779.1331694796.1332722713.1332836682.6&__utmb=159696636.1.10.1332836682&__utmc=159696636&__utmx=-&__utmz=159696636.1332836682.6.6.utmcsr=t.co|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/lA5b3xrw&__utmv=-&__utmk=18135801

KENTZ (KENZ)

WOW GREAT WRITE UP
JUST OUT>>>>>>>

Stock to Watch: Kentz Corporation
By Edmond Jackson | Tue, 27/03/2012 - 00:00

This article is for information and discussion purposes only and does not form a recommendation to invest or otherwise. The value of an investment may fall. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

Genuinely strong results from Kentz Corporation (KENZ), the FTSE 250-listed engineering and construction services group to the natural resources industries, have reiterated its appeal during uncertain economic times.

Stubbornly high oil prices are helping sustain industry activity, making this a relatively secure sector, and Kentz is geared to faster-growing economies.

Reporting in US dollars, very good progress was made at the top line with a 29% increase in top-line revenue to $1.37 billion (£0.86 billion), albeit pre-tax profit lagging this rate, up 18% to $79.4 million partly because this margin slipped from 6.4% to 5.8% amid some non-recurring costs. Basic earnings per share rose 25% and the total dividend is proposed up 23%, both highly respectable.

Admittedly a lower tax rate of 22.8% compared with 27.4% in 2010 has helped, although this is not artificial: it derives from prudent tax planning and more profits being earned in lower tax jurisdictions.

Forecasts published in Company REFS indicate barely 10% earnings growth this year, similarly the dividend, although these projections were made over three months ago and don't appear to square with the momentum being reported.

At 470p currently the shares trade on about 14 times these 2012 earnings forecasts; however following the results Investec upgraded its 'hold' stance last October and is now targeting 600p a share - i.e. about 28% upside. This implies about 30% total shareholder return for new investors around the current level, including a 2% prospective yield.

The chief executive cites a 50% rise in work on hand during 2011, "a record backlog of $2.4 billion that gives us greater visibility of earnings, and supports our investment in building out our capability and resources". The total order intake to backlog is cited "up nearly 80% providing very good visibility of future work through to 2015". The pipeline of opportunities with key clients and sectors has grown 23% over $10 billion.

Oil, gas and petrochemical works have historically delivered about 75% of revenue, although mining and metals jumped last year amid construction projects in Southern Africa. The chief executive sees "huge potential still for Kentz; in the provision of more services to new and existing clients as well as in new geographies and sectors". During 2011 the development side of Kentz expanded to meet such opportunities.

The revenue breakdown shows Africa being the largest source of revenue at 41.8%, then the Middle East with 30.7% and Australasia with 17.3% - this element accounting for nearly 90%, hence useful diversification from European woes, also America if its economy stalls amid fiscal drag later this year. America is only 5.4% of revenue, the Far East 3.8% with Europe the remaining 1%. So Kentz is effectively an emerging markets share without the hassles of foreign share ownership.

From end-June to end-December 2011, gross cash grew by $27 million to over $238 million, ample resource for acquisitions and further organic growth - including assurance to clients the group has balance sheet strength to take on larger projects. Kentz has virtually no bank debt and the balance sheet shows a total of just $12.4 million finance leases in context of $237.7 million net assets. There is hardly any capitalised goodwill or intangible assets.

A main issue for the shares' rating is the market tending still to regard oil services as cyclical, hence a forward price-earnings multiple in the low teens. If superior growth rates continue then it is possible the rating will steadily improve.

While this may add to risk, say if another global crisis makes a higher rating look exposed, this company grew revenue and profit strongly in the 2008-09 recession even though its shares nearly halved below 100p during 2008. So the business risk is likely lower than the shares' market risk.

I first drew attention to Kentz at 240p in June 2010 (and again a year ago) when the market was hit by global recessionary fears, however the company had a substantial order book to underpin the next two years at least and brokers were increasing forecasts.

A rationale for the emerging economies to sustain energy demand was backed by an estimate from the International Energy Agency, that a staggering $1,100 billion a year needs investing in global energy supply infrastructure by 2030. Kentz's progress appears to verify this, and it is worth reiterating because it could underpin the company for relative outperformance over many years.

Nothing is guaranteed in equities, but Kentz offers an attractive long-term economic context supported by evidence in the company's figures. The last six years show excellent progress while the shares have only traded up to an average P/E in the mid teens, most likely because investors fear "oil services" are inherently cyclical. Yet this company's weighting to faster-growing economies has helped its shares climb the proverbial "wall of worry" and it would need a serious global shock to scupper their energy demand.

An Israeli strike against Iranian nuclear development would likely keep oil prices strong, if risking economic recovery in some areas; the European debt crisis is liable to boil over again at some point; and the American economy is not yet definitively in sustained recovery. But it would likely need all such risks coming together at once, to affect Kentz's markets - which have relatively long lead times for decisions anyway, so it is hard to envisage a hit.

Kentz therefore merits further attention for long-term capital growth, as a priority 'buy' especially when markets turn jittery. Its shares may occasionally fall with the trend but the underlying fundamentals show robust growth backed by a strong balance sheet.

Stock to Watch: Kentz Corporation http://precogz.com/N1F48E43DB0

Stock to Watch: Kentz Corporation
By Edmond Jackson | Tue, 27/03/2012 - 00:00
and who is this guy? ..... racing certainty he has a vested interest in pumping the stock

What youve never heard of Edmond ?????????????.

Bloody hell cyners hes been around for years.

A bit like you he says it as he sees it. Respected Stock analyst and media reporter.

You can find him on ample and on board across road posting.

Hes a decent chap cyners. youd like him.

perhaps i missed it, but did he say whether or not he had a financial interest in this company?

Not sure, he normally doesnt but if he does declares it.

fair enough then

Hard man to please You cyners . Your OK though.

indeed though had one hell of a lot going on in my life over the last 6 months or so, most of it good and interesting and now generally on the home straight ..... poor year in the markets, but did exceptionally well in previous two and this year has been very tough for everyone i think

Hope you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel mate. Good luck.

not situations like that :-) .... just a lot of major projects all started coming together in a very short space of time instead of being nicely spread

looks as if these guys have some good projects on the go - found this interview with them, done today - Audio interview

Going after a pipeline of contracts worth $13.1 billion . This should see the company maintain its record of double digit EPS growth . The current rating fails to reflect this potential . Based on a consensus forecast 2013 EPS of 41.4p it trades on a price/earnings ratio of 8.9 against a sector average of 11.5. The irish company has a strong track record of execution and unlike mid-cap peers such as Cape and Lamprell has not blotted its copy book by warning on profits since becoming a public company in Feb 2008.Its robust performance is supported by a diverse business mix and wide geographical spread. It is active in the Americas,Canada, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Mozambique, Middle East, Russia and Australia and its client base is principally made up of blue chip companies.
The £427 million cap is good at positioning itself for future growth. A long-term training agreement with the Mozambique government ,for example, means Kentz is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the large liquefied natural gas facilities set to be developed off the country's coast.
The dividend yield, at 2.5%, is nmodest but the company is commited to a progressive policy and the dividend per share increased from 5.7c in 2008 to 12.3c in 2011.

Pre-close Trading Update
RNS
RNS Number : 8316V
Kentz Corporation Ltd
18 January 2013



Kentz Corporation Limited (the "Company")

Trading Update

London, 18 January 2013 - Kentz Corporation Limited (LSE: KENZ), the holding company of the Kentz engineering and construction group, announces a pre-close trading update ahead of its results for the year ended 31 December 2012, due to be published on 25 March 2013.

· Earnings per share (diluted) for 2012 in line with analyst consensus, reflecting strong growth on 2011

· Backlog of US$2.57 billion at the end of December 2012, up 7% from December 2011

· Order intake of US$1.72 billion to the end of December 2012

· Pipeline of prospects increased 32% to US$13.2 billion at December 2012 (December 2011: US$10.0 billion)

· Net cash balance of approx. US$220 million at the end of 2012



Christian Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Kentz commented:

"2012 was another successful year for Kentz in which the Company again delivered strong earnings growth. The outlook for 2013 continues to be positive with backlog growing to US$2.57 billion and over 65% of target 2013 revenues under contract.

"Our success in growing our backlog and sales pipeline is underpinned by our ability to successfully execute projects and secure repeat business from our major clients. Against this backdrop we have also added further opportunities to our pipeline of prospects all of which gives us excellent earnings visibility and confidence that we will deliver double digit earnings growth in 2013."

Operational update

Kentz's operations worldwide have performed very well during 2012 with growth achieved in the Construction and Technical Support Services business units. Continuing to strengthen the EPC business unit is a key focus for the Company and a range of options to achieve enhanced growth in this part of the Group are currently being assessed.

The order intake of US$1.72 billion in 2012 demonstrates continued ability to win new projects and achieve natural growth on existing contracts, in what remains an uncertain economic environment. Despite this climate, having over 65% revenue cover from orders on hand is in line with our expectations and also with prior years' experience. This achievement, coupled with the continuing solid margin levels supports our confidence in achieving our targets in 2013.

Cash Position

The Group's cash position remains strong. Net cash at the end of December 2012 was approximately US$220 million and provides a sound financial base from which to support continued growth.



Ends

Repeat business underpins healthy results at Kentz Corp.
Fri 18 Jan 2013

KENZ - Kentz Corporation Ltd
LONDON (SHARECAST) - The holding company of engineering and construction group Kentz Corporation has announced a pre-close trading update ahead of its results for the year ending December 31st.

The group announced a backlog of $2.57bn at the end of December, up 7.0% from December 2011, and an order intake of $1.72bn.

Pipeline prospects increased 32% to $13.2bn and the group had a net cash balance of approximately $220m at the end of 2012.

Christian Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Kentz, commented: “The outlook for 2013 continues to be positive with backlog growing to $2.57bn and over 65% of target 2013 revenues under contract.”

He added: "Our success in growing our backlog and sales pipeline is underpinned by our ability to successfully execute projects and secure repeat business from our major clients.

"Against this backdrop we have also added further opportunities to our pipeline of prospects all of which gives us excellent earnings visibility and confidence that we will deliver double digit earnings growth in 2013."