What is SPX.L's Intrinsic value?

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC (SPX.L) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of May 28, 2025, Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $2687.72 to $8997.00 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $4062.75 -28.9%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $3844.30 -32.7%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $2687.72 -53.0%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $2692.37 -52.9%
Earnings Power Value $8997.00 +57.4%

Is Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC (SPX.L) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $5715.00, the stock appears to be significantly overvalued.

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 Spirax-Sarco Engineering 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 1.21
Cost of equity 9.9% 13.4%
Cost of debt 4.0% 5.2%
Tax rate 25.8% 26.4%
Debt/Equity ratio 0.24 0.24
After-tax WACC 8.6% 11.6%

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: 10.1% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $1,665 (FY12-2024) to $2,701 (FY12-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 11% to 11%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 5% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $3,844 $3,594M 65.9%
10-Year Growth $4,063 $3,759M 47.4%
5-Year EBITDA $4,919 $4,406M 72.2%
10-Year EBITDA $4,938 $4,420M 55.3%

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: 62.4%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 11.7%
  • Long-term growth rate: 3.0%
  • Fair value: $2687.72 (-53.0% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 13.4% (Low) to 9.9% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 2.0% (Low) to 4.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $1,550 to $3,835
  • Selected fair value: $2692.37 (-52.9% 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 $739M
Discount Rate (WACC) 11.6% - 8.6%
Enterprise Value $6,377M - $8,592M
Net Debt $691M
Equity Value $5,686M - $7,900M
Outstanding Shares 1M
Fair Value $7,531 - $10,463
Selected Fair Value $8997.00

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $4315M
Enterprise Value $5006M
Trailing P/E 22.57
Forward P/E 21.49
Trailing EV/EBITDA 10.85
Current Dividend Yield 276.47%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) 9.66%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 0.24

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% $1218.83
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $961.08
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $537.54
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $403.86
Earnings Power Value 10% $899.70
Weighted Average 100% $4021.00

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC's weighted average intrinsic value is $4021.00, which is approximately 29.6% below the current market price of $5715.00.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (11% to 11% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation
  • Conservative capital structure (Debt/Equity of 0.24)
  • Historical dividend growth of 9.66%

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