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Knights Group Holdings Plc (GB:KGH)
:KGH

Knights Group Holdings Plc (KGH) AI Stock Analysis

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GB

Knights Group Holdings Plc

(LSE:KGH)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
192.00p
▲( 29.29% Upside)
Knights Group Holdings Plc is well-positioned for continued success, underpinned by strong financial performance, strategic acquisitions, and attractive valuation. The stock benefits from solid revenue growth, improving profitability, and strategic expansions in key markets. However, investors should be mindful of potential volatility indicated by technical indicators. Overall, the company presents a compelling investment opportunity with a balanced risk-reward profile.
Positive Factors
Acquisitions
Acquisitions of Thursfields and IBB Law are integrating well and performing as expected.
Financial Performance
Knights delivered good profit growth driven by a 3% increase in gross margin to 50.5%, due to growth in higher margin areas.
Recruitment
The group hired 52 senior fee earners, reflecting strong momentum in recruitment.
Negative Factors
Investment Case
The interim results do not significantly alter the investment case debate, as organic growth challenges and leverage concerns persist.
Leverage
Leverage at 1.4x is elevated compared to professional services peers, posing a challenge for a re-rating.
Organic Growth
Organic growth remains challenging for Knights Group, as indicated by past performance metrics ranging from -0.1% to 1.9%.

Knights Group Holdings Plc (KGH) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Knights Group Holdings Plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKnights Group Holdings plc provides legal and professional services in the United Kingdom. The company offers business services, in the areas of banking, commercial, corporate, data protection, debt recovery, dispute resolution, and housing and regeneration. It also offers services in the areas of immigration, licensing and gambling, and employment. In addition, the company provides personal services, including agriculture, charities, conveyancing, family, landed estates, planning, professional discipline, tax and trusts, and wills and estates. Further, it offers real estate; restructuring and insolvency; regulatory; and tax services. The company serves aviation, consumer and retail, energy, waste and natural resources, financial and professional services, healthcare, industrials, transport and support services, property management and development, agricultural and the food supply chain, technology, and media and telecommunications sectors. Knights Group Holdings plc was founded in 1759 and is based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyKnights Group Holdings Plc generates revenue primarily through providing legal services to its clients. The company's revenue model is based on charging fees for the legal expertise and services it offers, which can be billed hourly, through fixed fees, or on a retainer basis, depending on the nature and complexity of the service and client agreement. Knights Group enhances its revenue streams by expanding its client base through strategic acquisitions of other law firms, thereby increasing its market presence and service offerings. Additionally, the firm's integrated approach to combining legal expertise with business acumen allows it to attract partnerships and long-term contracts with a variety of corporate clients, further contributing to its financial performance.

Knights Group Holdings Plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Knights Group Holdings Plc exhibits a promising financial trajectory with consistent revenue growth and improving profitability. The balance sheet is stable with a reasonable debt level and healthy return on equity. While cash flow generation is strong, further improvements in free cash flow growth could enhance financial flexibility.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Knights Group Holdings Plc has demonstrated solid revenue growth with a consistent increase over the past years, highlighted by a recent 5.5% increase from 2023 to 2024. The gross profit margin is stable at around 38.0%, and the net profit margin improved to 6.6% in 2024 from 5.6% in 2023. However, the gross profit dropped substantially from 2023 due to high operating costs. Overall, profitability metrics are improving, but the company needs better control over costs to enhance margins further.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet shows a moderate level of leverage, with a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.81 in 2024, indicating a manageable level of debt. The return on equity (ROE) has improved to 9.8% in 2024, showing efficient use of equity. However, the equity ratio stands at 45.8%, suggesting a balanced but slightly risk-averse capital structure. Increased equity and asset growth over the years have stabilized the financial position.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
The cash flow statements reveal a healthy operating cash flow increase to 22.8 million in 2024, supporting a steady free cash flow. The free cash flow growth rate is marginal, reflecting consistent capital expenditure. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is strong at 2.32 in 2024, indicating good cash generation relative to reported profits. However, more robust free cash flow growth is needed for long-term sustainability.
Breakdown
Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021Jun 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
149.96M142.08M125.60M103.20M74.25M
Gross Profit
56.95M130.47M48.74M40.49M28.68M
EBIT
19.96M16.06M15.98M17.11M12.77M
EBITDA
31.72M26.80M14.18M24.81M9.81M
Net Income Common Stockholders
9.85M7.94M-2.53M3.40M1.82M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
5.45M4.04M4.10M4.78M12.74M
Total Assets
219.10M212.17M206.28M194.30M159.74M
Total Debt
81.19M78.18M79.68M68.56M52.49M
Net Debt
75.73M74.14M75.58M63.77M39.75M
Total Liabilities
118.84M119.36M120.62M111.61M83.79M
Stockholders Equity
100.26M92.81M85.66M82.69M75.95M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
14.63M14.41M7.52M2.52M3.88M
Operating Cash Flow
22.83M16.33M10.11M7.08M6.40M
Investing Cash Flow
-14.33M-7.85M-10.33M-6.65M-18.38M
Financing Cash Flow
-7.09M-8.67M1.52M-10.24M19.81M

Knights Group Holdings Plc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price148.50
Price Trends
50DMA
141.03
Positive
100DMA
132.39
Positive
200DMA
125.26
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
6.79
Positive
RSI
47.58
Neutral
STOCH
32.52
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:KGH, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 148.5 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 154.00, above the 50-day MA of 141.03, and above the 200-day MA of 125.26, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 6.79 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 47.58 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 32.52 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GB:KGH.

Knights Group Holdings Plc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
GBKGH
77
Outperform
£127.43M11.1911.37%2.84%5.40%19.01%
73
Outperform
£192.72M22.5145.84%3.06%12.22%7.48%
GBRST
68
Neutral
£360.11M28.775.32%2.02%-0.65%
64
Neutral
$4.39B11.815.20%249.38%3.96%-12.36%
GBBEG
64
Neutral
£156.54M64.053.11%4.25%13.88%512.00%
GBCPI
62
Neutral
£202.28M3.1849.03%-10.33%
50
Neutral
£166.30M-28.97%5.19%7.76%-60.70%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:KGH
Knights Group Holdings Plc
148.50
8.40
6.00%
GB:BEG
Begbies Traynor
100.00
-4.37
-4.19%
GB:CPI
Capita plc
216.20
0.50
0.23%
GB:RST
Restore
263.00
-0.70
-0.27%
GB:KEYS
Keystone Law Group Plc
595.00
-85.37
-12.55%
GB:PPHC
Public Policy Holding Co., Inc.
135.50
13.33
10.91%

Knights Group Holdings Plc Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Knights Group Holdings Reports Strong Growth and Strategic Acquisitions
Positive
May 20, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc reported a strong financial performance for the year ending April 2025, with an 8% increase in revenue to approximately £162 million and an 11% rise in underlying profits to around £28 million. The company has shown significant recruitment momentum, adding 52 senior fee earners, and has continued its acquisition strategy by integrating Thursfields and completing its largest acquisition to date, IBB Law, which strengthens its presence in the South East. These strategic moves, along with a new acquisition post-period end, have bolstered Knights’ position as a leading national legal services firm with a strong regional focus, enhancing its service offerings and market reach.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:KGH) stock is a Buy with a £170.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Knights Group Holdings Plc stock, see the GB:KGH Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knights Group Expands with Acquisition of Birkett Long
Positive
May 6, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc has announced the acquisition of Birkett Long LLP and Birkett Long IFA LLP, a regional law firm and independent financial advisory business based in Essex. This strategic move aligns with Knights’ growth strategy, expanding its presence in the South East and entering the wealth advisory sector. The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing and will increase Knights’ annual revenue to over £200 million. The integration of Birkett Long is anticipated to be smooth due to cultural and operational synergies, offering Knights an opportunity to provide a broader range of services to clients and further organic growth in the region.

Other
Knights Group Holdings: Change in Major Shareholding
Neutral
May 2, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc has announced a change in its major holdings, with Octopus Investments Limited increasing its voting rights from 14.41% to 15.18%. This adjustment in voting rights signifies a strengthened position for Octopus Investments in the company, potentially impacting future strategic decisions and stakeholder interests.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Knights Group Holdings Plc Sees Change in Major Shareholder Voting Rights
Neutral
Apr 30, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc has announced a change in its major holdings as Octopus Investments Limited has increased its voting rights in the company to 14.41% from a previous 13.98%. This acquisition of voting rights signifies a strengthened position for Octopus Investments within Knights Group Holdings, potentially impacting the company’s strategic decisions and stakeholder interests.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knights Group Holdings Completes Acquisition of IBB Law LLP
Positive
Apr 4, 2025

Knights Group Holdings PLC has completed the acquisition of IBB Law LLP, a full-service regional law firm with offices in Ascot, Beaconsfield, Reading, and Uxbridge. This acquisition aligns with Knights’ strategy to enhance its organic growth through selective acquisitions, adding 140 professionals and a national client base. The integration of IBB Law LLP will expand Knights’ expertise in franchising, education, and residential development, strengthening its presence in the South East and providing new clients access to Knights’ broader range of services.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Knights Group Holdings PLC Announces Change in Major Holdings
Neutral
Mar 31, 2025

Knights Group Holdings PLC, a UK-based company, announced a change in its major holdings as Octopus Investments Limited adjusted its voting rights. The notification indicates that Octopus Investments now holds 13.98% of the voting rights in Knights Group Holdings, a slight decrease from its previous position of 14.16%. This adjustment in holdings could impact the company’s governance and decision-making processes, reflecting a shift in stakeholder influence.

DividendsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knights Group Holdings Reinforces Employee Investment with SIP Share Purchase
Positive
Mar 18, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc announced that its SIP trustee has reinvested dividends by purchasing 7,971 ordinary shares at £1.38 per share on behalf of participating employees. This move, following a recent dividend payment, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to employee investment and aligns with its strategic initiatives to enhance stakeholder value.

Business Operations and Strategy
Knights Group Holdings Sees Increase in Major Holdings by Octopus Investments
Neutral
Mar 13, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc has announced a change in its major holdings, with Octopus Investments Limited increasing its voting rights from 13.99% to 14.16%. This acquisition of voting rights signifies a strengthened position for Octopus Investments within Knights Group Holdings, potentially influencing future strategic decisions and impacting stakeholders by consolidating control and influence over company operations.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Octopus Investments Increases Stake in Knights Group Holdings
Neutral
Mar 10, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc has announced that Octopus Investments Limited has increased its voting rights in the company to 13.99% as of March 7, 2025. This acquisition of voting rights signifies a strengthened influence of Octopus Investments in Knights Group Holdings, potentially impacting the company’s strategic decisions and stakeholder interests.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knights Group Expands South East Presence with IBB Law Acquisition
Positive
Mar 3, 2025

Knights Group Holdings Plc has announced the acquisition of IBB Law LLP, a law firm based in the South East, to enhance its presence in this lucrative market. The acquisition, valued at £30m, is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing and aligns with Knights’ strategy of growth through selective acquisitions. IBB’s strengths in corporate, real estate, and private wealth complement Knights’ existing services, and the integration is anticipated to provide a strong platform for further organic growth in the region.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.