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mttssn research · Nordic Deep Dive
TGS (TGS.OL)
Energi · Seismisk data (TGS) · LTM Q1 2026
Analysis date: 2026-06-04
Price at analysis: NOK 152.70
Method: mttssn_streamlined_v1
Conviction: MEDIUM
HOLD
Conviction: MEDIUM
A marine-seismic and energy-data provider (post-PGS merger) that earns below its cost of capital — ROIC 5.3% vs 8% WACC, economic profit −NOK 726M — yet the price embeds ~15% growth. The multi-client data library generates cash, but the economics are sub-WACC. HOLD with a bearish lean.
Adj. ROIC
5.3%
WACC 8% → spread -2.7pp
Economic Profit
NOK -726M
Negative — sub-WACC
FCF Yield
10.6%
10.6% FCF yield from data library
Price / Target
NOK 153 → NOK 130
-15% base; HOLD
Revenue (LTM)
NOK 15.4B
LTM; seismic + energy data
EBIT Margin
12.0%
GAAP; library-driven
EV / IC
1.37×
Enterprise value / invested capital
Net Debt
NOK 7.0B
NOK 7.0B
Thesis

TGS provides seismic data and energy-data/analytics, with a large multi-client data library, enlarged by the PGS merger. The library is cash-generative (10.6% FCF yield), but the business earns below its cost of capital — adjusted ROIC of 5.3% against an 8% WACC, with −NOK 726M economic profit — reflecting structural E&P capital discipline and seismic-market overcapacity.

The reverse-DCF implies the price embeds ~15% perpetual growth, against a sub-WACC, cyclical, structurally-challenged business — a demanding assumption. The data-library cash flow is the support; the economics are the caution.

Valuation · reverse-DCF & scenarios

Capitalising adjusted NOPAT, reverse-DCF fair value sits well below the NOK 153 price (negative economic spread). The multi-client library's high FCF conversion supports the equity, but on through-cycle economics it is not value-creating.

Base NOK 130 (−15%, de-rate toward sub-WACC economics); bull NOK 200 (an energy-data/seismic upcycle plus PGS synergies lift returns above WACC); bear NOK 100 (continued E&P discipline and overcapacity).

Market-implied growth
≥-50.0%
model ceiling — EV implies more than constant-ROIC sustains
No-growth value / share
NOK 42
28% of price; rest = priced-in growth
ROIC − WACC
-2.7 pp
ROIC 5.3% vs WACC 8.0% — positive = value creation
CAP (priced-in)
n/a
years of excess returns the price implies (fades to WACC)

At today’s enterprise value the constant-ROIC reverse-DCF maxes out: even at its sustainable-growth ceiling (~-50.0%, limited by ROIC 5% ≈ WACC 8%) it cannot reach the current EV. No-growth value is NOK 42/share (28% of price); the market prices in growth and/or a higher ROIC than booked — richly valued on this lens. Read the sensitivity grid.

Scenario24m targetImpl. gUpsideProb.Driver
BullNOK 200≥-50%+31%30%Seismic/energy-data upcycle + PGS synergies
BaseNOK 130≥-50%-15%40%De-rate toward sub-WACC economics
BearNOK 100≥-50%-35%30%E&P discipline + seismic overcapacity persist
Prob-weightedNOK 142-7%100%Scenario-weighted expected value

Sensitivity — fair value / share at WACC × growth

WACC \ g0%3%5%8%10%15%
6.50%676258514525
7.25%5346413224-0
8.00% (base)423529189-18
8.75%3426197-2-31
9.50%281912-1-11-41

Green = fair value above the current price of NOK 152.70. The reverse-DCF conclusion is dominated by WACC and growth — see the whole surface, not a single fair value.

Method & data. NOPAT NOK 1,435, invested capital and ROIC 5.3% are observed (adjustments.json); WACC 8.0% and terminal g 2.5% are assumptions. EV→equity uses net debt NOK 7,040. The model holds ROIC constant (no fade) over the explicit horizon; the CAP figure instead fades excess returns to WACC.

⤓ Download the full model (.xlsx) — formula-driven sheets; flex the blue input cells and the model cascades in Excel.

Key drivers

1. Multi-client data library

A large seismic library generates high-FCF-conversion late-sales revenue.

2. PGS merger synergies

Integration cost/scale synergies could lift returns.

3. Energy-data diversification

New-energy/data analytics diversify beyond pure seismic.

4. Cyclical recovery optionality

An offshore E&P/seismic upcycle would lift utilisation and pricing — the bull path.

5. Cash generation

10.6% FCF yield from the data library supports the dividend.

Key risks
Conclusion

TGS generates real data-library cash flow but earns below its cost of capital, with the price assuming a steep recovery. HOLD with a bearish lean, medium conviction; base target NOK 130 (−15%).

A genuine seismic/energy-data upcycle plus PGS synergies lifting returns above WACC would change the thesis; sub-WACC economics are the principal caution.