5 minute read 18 Feb 2019
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How technology CFOs can optimize capital allocation strategies

Authors
Barak Ravid

EY-Parthenon Americas Leader

Energized by all things at the intersection of technology and strategy. Passionate about the strength of diverse and inclusive teams. Love sailing, biking, soccer, snowboarding. Father of three girls.

Evan Sussholz

EY US Strategy and Transactions

Global client services partner and experienced transaction advisor who helps clients enhance shareholder value by making better decisions around capital strategy. Dedicated husband and father.

Loren Garruto

EY Global Corporate Finance Leader

Results-oriented business advisor focused on driving shareholder value. Collaborator, developer of people, avid reader and proud mother.

5 minute read 18 Feb 2019

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Three questions for technology CFOs to help optimize capital allocation strategies.

Tech companies approach capital allocation in different ways, depending on where they are in the growth life cycle. Younger, high-growth companies are — and should be — focused on how fast they can capture customers. These companies are looking at new markets and which products to advance with a focus on customer growth before they focus on profitability. They are not necessarily thinking about capital allocation in the same way as a more mature company, which may have excess cash and seeks to reignite rapid growth.

As a whole, however, technology sector CFOs are less likely to call their capital allocation process “very successful” than CFOs of other industries in a recent EY survey (pdf) that asked companies about their capital allocation process (23% vs. 27%). Technology CFOs also indicate that their companies are less likely to review their capital allocation process at least once a year (38% vs. 44%) and less likely to say they could react quickly to either market threats or opportunities (33% vs. 40%).

Capital allocation approach

23%

of technology executives say their company’s capital allocation process is “very successful.”

There is a lot at stake. The top 10 US-based public technology companies showed more than US$520 billion of cash and short-term investments on their most recent public filings. While understanding that companies at different stages of growth have different priorities and differing levels and needs for cash, in an environment with rising interest rates, as well as geopolitical, trade and regulatory uncertainty, it is essential to make the right capital allocation decisions.

In the recent EY Capital Allocation survey we pose three questions tech CEOs and CFOs need to be able to answer:

  • Can we react quickly enough to opportunities and threats?
  • Are we making objective, unbiased decisions?
  • Are we returning cash to shareholders at the right time, and in the right way?

Diversify capital allocation

Capital allocation decisions include more than a choice between M&A or returning cash to shareholders. But in the CFO survey, half of tech CFOs (50%) say one of the main focuses of their capital allocation process was returning cash to shareholders, compared with 43% of CFOs overall. Tech companies are slightly less likely to name M&A as a priority (41% vs. 43%), while capex (including organic growth opportunities) is mentioned by 58%, compared with 59% overall.

Just as telling may be why tech companies are repurchasing shares, as 41% say the primary reason for buying back shares was to increase earnings per share, compared with 31% of CFOs overall. Only 10% of tech CFOs say they are making repurchases because the shares were undervalued in the market and 19% said they had cash in excess of investment opportunities with an acceptable return. However, share repurchases may not always yield favorable returns and may even result in negative return on investment in a rising interest rate environment.

Tech executives need to examine share repurchases like they would any other investment to make sure they are not making a short-term investment that will hinder opportunities for long-term growth. Successful tech companies have a balanced, strategically aligned, and value-focused portfolio built upon fact-based decision-making. These companies stress a capital allocation approach that is objective, transparent and flexible.

Find more data and improve analytic

Having the right data, and the right analytics tools to evaluate the data, coupled with proper statistical analysis, is key to not only making capital allocation decisions, but to analyzing the performance of past investments in order to course correct when necessary and learn lessons to optimize future decisions. Tech companies with successful capital allocation frameworks have the processes and tools in place to execute upon a nimble, effective, decision-making framework. Clearly defined measurement criteria and KPIs built around data analysis are a key pillar of an effective capital allocation framework.

Yet the tech industry, which in many cases generates a trove of data in its operations, is far more likely (49% vs. 41%) to cite insufficient data as a primary barrier to optimal capital allocation. Some mature tech companies use legacy systems that are not always interconnected, making it more challenging to pull meaningful data, which could necessitate investing in systems integration. Also, to better utilize data, tech companies should consider data visualization software to understand where capital investment may be needed.

Additionally, companies should scrutinize and carefully assess data to the extent it does exist and search out new third-party sources of data if they do not have the data they need internally. For example, we observed a major technology company rely on a legacy allocation methodology that resulted in misguided conclusions as to the profitability of a business segment. We scrutinized the data and assumptions to present management with a grounded view of segment operations. Company executives were then able to make informed decisions around portfolio rationalization.

Align incentives

Less than half (45%) of tech CFOs say that investment evaluation criteria, management incentives and long-term strategy were fully aligned, compared with 58% of their non-tech counterparts. This misalignment can hinder the long-term thinking required for management to be effective stewards of capital. Instilling a cash culture that balances both long- and short-term risk with ROI can help ensure that executives don’t make decisions that might give a short-term boost to the stock price, while crippling the company down the road. Additionally, in a time where it’s becoming more common for horizonal companies to enter vertical markets both organically and through M&A, it is important that incentives are rethought as vertical markets which often require a nuanced incentive structure (i.e., subscriber growth for a particular product segment) as opposed to general profitability targets that are often in place at horizontal companies.

Portfolio optimization

83%

say investment decisions are driven by periodic portfolio reviews.

Other ways tech companies compare with other sectors

Tech companies with successful capital allocation strategies objectively review, evaluate and approve capital allocation. Strong business case presentations use balanced scorecards to outline the strategic, economic, commercial and financial impact of a proposed business decision. Additionally, proactive performance monitoring is critical for any capital allocation decision. Regular reporting instills execution discipline and allows for the ability to course correct when necessary.

Tech capital allocation appears to be more strategic in this area than that of their peers. They are more likely (95% vs. 93%) to objectively assess the risk and return profile of investments. They are also as likely (83% vs. 83%) to say that investment decisions are driven by periodic portfolio reviews.

Summary

Tech companies can better position themselves for the future by taking a fresh look at how they allocate capital, especially as they make the shift from high growth to more mature, profit-focused companies. The muscles for considering different investment decisions change as companies move past the stage of acquiring customers quickly. The capital allocation strategy needs to be optimized as companies grow.

About this article

Authors
Barak Ravid

EY-Parthenon Americas Leader

Energized by all things at the intersection of technology and strategy. Passionate about the strength of diverse and inclusive teams. Love sailing, biking, soccer, snowboarding. Father of three girls.

Evan Sussholz

EY US Strategy and Transactions

Global client services partner and experienced transaction advisor who helps clients enhance shareholder value by making better decisions around capital strategy. Dedicated husband and father.

Loren Garruto

EY Global Corporate Finance Leader

Results-oriented business advisor focused on driving shareholder value. Collaborator, developer of people, avid reader and proud mother.