Goldman Sachs starts Halma at “buy,” citing durable EPS and ROIC growth

Published 07/08/2025, 12:04
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage on Halma Plc (LON:HLMA) with a “buy” rating and a 12-month price target of 3,740p, implying a 15.7% upside from its August 6 close of 3,232p. 

The brokerage flags Halma’s consistent financial performance, forecasting an adjusted EPS CAGR of 11.1% and an average ROIC of 18% through FY2030, supported by a sustainable growth model and ongoing M&A activity.

Goldman’s estimates for FY26, FY27, and FY28 adjusted EBIT are 1%, 7%, and 9% ahead of consensus, respectively. 

These are underpinned by inclusion of generic M&A in its model, drawing from Halma’s 94 acquisitions worth £2 billion over the past two decades, funded entirely from free cash flow. 

M&A has contributed more than 3% to annual sales on average since FY2005, accounting for 31% of incremental revenue.

Despite a 32x 12-month forward P/E, Goldman argues Halma is priced for only 8% forward EPS growth, lower than its 20-year historical average of 12.2%. 

The brokerage notes Halma’s three-year trailing EPS CAGR has dipped below 8% just once in the last two decades. Dividend growth has averaged 6.6% annually over the same period.

The report forecasts EBIT margins to remain above 20%, supported by normalising inventories and a stable cost base. 

FCF yield is projected at 3.5%-4.1% from FY26-FY28, while FCF margins are expected to surpass 16%. Net debt to EBITDA (ex-leases) is forecast to fall from 0.8x in FY25 to below zero by FY28.

Segment-wise, Safety contributes 40% of FY25 revenue and is expected to deliver a 6.4% organic sales CAGR over five years. 

Environmental & Analysis, at 35% of revenue, is forecast to grow at 8.6%, while Healthcare, comprising 25%, is projected at 4.6%. 

EBIT margins across segments average 23-24%. Group R&D spend has averaged 5% of sales since FY2005 and is forecast to continue at that level.

Halma’s decentralized model supports resilience, with 90% of its U.S. revenue coming from domestic manufacturing. 

In fiscal year 2025, its regional revenue mix was 46% from the USA, 19% from Europe, 14% from the UK, 14% from Asia Pacific, and 7% from other regions.

Goldman outlines a three-phase operational history since FY2006, characterising Halma’s strategy as evolutionary rather than transformative. 

Adjusted EBIT margins have exceeded 20% since FY2012, with ROIC consistently above 14% and lowest in-class volatility within Multi-Industry peers. 

The brokerage values Halma at 23.5x 12-month forward EV/EBIT, a 55% premium to Multi-Industry peers, slightly below its historical 65% average.

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