Half Year 2021 ALS Ltd Earnings Call Transcript

The following is excerpted from the question-and-answer section of the transcript.

Question: John Purtell - Macquarie Research - Analyst : Just had 3 questions, if I can. Just picking up on Paul's earlier question re the juniors. I mean is this a normal lag, Raj, in terms of capital being put to work? Or is the lag longer because there are still COVID restrictions in place, such as in Latin America, and therefore is taking longer to mobilize?

Question: John Purtell - Macquarie Research - Analyst : And second question in relation to M&A. Obviously, that continues to be a focus for you. But to what extent is the high multiples an impediment to executing. We obviously saw a healthy multiple paid by SGS for a business in Europe last week. So essentially are there still seems to be prized acquisitions in the space and size that you're looking at?

Question: John Purtell - Macquarie Research - Analyst : And just the last question. Look, I appreciate you haven't given full year guidance, but in the past we've seen a slight profit skew towards the first half. And as a general comment, I mean is that likely to be less pronounced this year? Or indeed you could see a second half skew given that the recovery from COVID is obviously taking place through the course of the year. So obviously it's been an abnormal year in just about every respect.