Franklin Covey’s Underappreciated Market Potential

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Written By Faith Boluwatife

Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC) consistently delivers strong financial results, yet the market often overlooks its potential.

This underestimation largely stems from perceptions anchored to the company’s historical business operations rather than its current strategies and growth prospects.

This oversight persists despite the company’s clear trajectory towards significant sales growth and improved earnings, driven by its operational leverage and timely investment decisions.

Franklin Covey’s Valuation Discrepancy

Franklin Covey trades at approximately 8.8 times its EBITDA, which is modest considering its potential for high single-digit sales growth over time.

This growth, combined with substantial operating leverage, should ideally propel the company’s earnings growth into double digits.

Credit: DepositPhotos

Given this profile, a more fitting valuation would be above 10 times EBITDA.

At around $40 per share, Franklin Covey represents a compelling investment opportunity with attractive capital return prospects over the next three to five years, with minimal risk of significant losses due to strategic capital allocation.

A Foundation for Growth

The Enterprise segment, which forms the core of Franklin Covey’s valuation and future growth, primarily sells content to a diverse clientele, including small businesses, large corporations, not-for-profits, and governmental bodies.

This content, which ranges from direct sales to licensing revenue through international franchises, focuses on soft skills and behavioral changes essential for organizational improvement.

Notably, over half of the Enterprise segment’s revenue comes from the All-Access Pass, a subscription-based service that has shown growth of 8% in its segment despite a 2% overall segment decline.

Strategic Adjustments and Macroeconomic Challenges

While the company faces macroeconomic pressures, such as client budget constraints leading to non-renewals of subscriptions, it continues to secure new clients and maintain its growth trajectory.

The recent adjustments in their client partner base, reducing from 300 to 265, reflect a strategic realignment rather than a reduction in market presence. This realignment aims to enhance productivity and better adapt to the evolving business landscape.

Sustained Competitive Advantage and Operational Efficiency

Franklin Covey has not only maintained its competitive edge but has also managed to expand its offerings without significant encroachment by competitors like LinkedIn Learning and Dale Carnegie.

The company’s substantial investment in content development over the years has fortified its position, providing a robust platform for continuous growth and service enhancement.

The Enterprise segment’s operating leverage remains a pivotal element in its financial structure, balancing cost management with strategic investments to optimize profitability.

The inherent scalability of Franklin Covey’s business model, particularly in the Enterprise segment, suggests potential for improved EBITDA margins and overall financial performance.

Financial Outlook and Capital Allocation

Looking forward, Franklin Covey’s strategic focus on share repurchases and prudent capital management positions it for sustained growth and profitability.

Member of the business team asks a question to the speaker at a — Stock Photo, Image
Credit: DepositPhotos

The company’s capital expenditures are relatively low, reflecting its capital-light business model.

Additionally, strategic acquisitions like Jhana and Strive indicate a targeted approach to R&D, enhancing the company’s product offerings and market reach.

Market Mispricing and Investor Opportunity

Despite its strong fundamentals and strategic positioning, Franklin Covey remains undervalued by the market, which may not fully appreciate the long-term benefits of the company’s operational adjustments and growth strategy.

However, for patient investors, Franklin Covey offers a promising investment with the potential for high internal rates of return, driven by strategic capital allocation and a robust growth trajectory.

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