What is KIE.L's Intrinsic value?

Kier Group PLC (KIE.L) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of May 24, 2025, Kier Group PLC's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $61.79 to $484.50 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $319.79 +93.1%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $297.52 +79.7%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $78.52 -52.6%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $61.79 -62.7%
Earnings Power Value $484.50 +192.6%

Is Kier Group PLC (KIE.L) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $165.60, the stock appears to be significantly undervalued.

Understanding Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value represents the "true" worth of a company based on its fundamentals rather than market sentiment. We've employed multiple methodologies to triangulate Kier Group PLC's intrinsic value, including:

  1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF): Values the company based on projected future cash flows
  2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM): Values the company based on expected future dividend payments
  3. Earnings Power Value (EPV): Values the company based on its current earnings power, assuming no growth

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)

The cost of capital is a critical factor in valuation models, representing the required return for investors.

WACC Component Low High
Long-term bond rate 4.0% 4.5%
Equity market risk premium 6.0% 7.0%
Adjusted beta 1.32 2.01
Cost of equity 11.9% 19.0%
Cost of debt 4.7% 6.2%
Tax rate 22.6% 24.1%
Debt/Equity ratio 2.33 2.33
After-tax WACC 6.1% 9.0%

Valuation Methods

1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation

Our DCF model projects cash flows over 5-year and 10-year horizons, with the following key assumptions:

  • Forecast Period: 5-year DCF and 10-year DCF
  • Terminal Growth Rate: 0.0% (range: 3.0% - 5.0%)
  • Discount Rate: 7.6% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $3,905 (FY06-2024) to $5,407 (FY06-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 1% to 1%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 0% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $298 $1,353M 74.7%
10-Year Growth $320 $1,447M 54.2%
5-Year EBITDA $138 $682M 49.8%
10-Year EBITDA $196 $929M 28.7%

2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM)

The DDM values a company based on its expected future dividend payments. We used two approaches:

Multi-Stage DDM:

  • Current payout ratio: 51.7%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 15.5%
  • Long-term growth rate: 0.5%
  • Fair value: $78.52 (-52.6% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 19.0% (Low) to 11.9% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 0.0% (Low) to 1.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $38 to $85
  • Selected fair value: $61.79 (-62.7% from current price)

3. Earnings Power Value (EPV)

EPV assesses a company's value based on its current normalized earnings power, assuming no growth.

EPV Component Value
Normalized Earnings $156M
Discount Rate (WACC) 9.0% - 6.1%
Enterprise Value $1,731M - $2,546M
Net Debt $104M
Equity Value $1,627M - $2,441M
Outstanding Shares 4M
Fair Value $388 - $581
Selected Fair Value $484.50

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $695M
Enterprise Value $799M
Trailing P/E 15.98
Forward P/E 12.29
Trailing EV/EBITDA 3.55
Current Dividend Yield 332.85%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) -48.90%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 2.33

Investment Decision Framework

To determine the most reliable intrinsic value estimate, we weigh each valuation method based on:

  1. Forecast Certainty: DCF methods rely on long-term projections, while earnings power value focuses on current normalized earnings
  2. Business Model Alignment: Dividend models are more appropriate for mature companies with established dividend policies
  3. Historical Accuracy: How well each method has predicted fair value historically

Valuation Weight Matrix

Valuation Method Weight Weighted Value
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) 30% $95.94
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $74.38
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $15.70
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $9.27
Earnings Power Value 10% $48.45
Weighted Average 100% $243.74

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Kier Group PLC's weighted average intrinsic value is $243.74, which is approximately 47.2% above the current market price of $165.60.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (1% to 1% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation

Given these factors, we believe Kier Group PLC is currently significantly undervalued with the potential for long-term appreciation based on the company's growth trajectory and financial strength.