Initiating coverage: Back to growth

Like the rest of the industry, Pharos Energy was impacted by the Covid-induced collapse in the oil price, at a time when the company was heavily investing in Egypt. Net debt rose to US$57.5m at end-FY21. However, management has farmed out 55% of its Egyptian assets and put through significant cost-cutting measures, reducing debt to a more modest level of c.US$16m at the end of June 2023. Pharos is now in a position to restart returning cash to shareholders (via a dividend and buyback) and we believe it is set to increase investment, including commitment exploration, which should be a significant driver of shareholder value.