KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index rebounded from earlier losses to close at its intraday high on Wednesday, gaining 0.27 per cent in late trading as buying interest returned to selected heavyweights. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced 4.48 points to 1,676.83 from Tuesday’s close of 1,672.35. The benchmark index opened 0.88 of-a-point lower at 1,671.47 and subsequently hit a low of 1,665.94 during the mid-morning session before gaining momentum toward closing. On the broader market, losers led gainers by 565 to 512, while some 526 counters were unchanged, 1,046 untraded, and 10 suspended. Turnover improved to 2.73 billion units worth RM2.76 billion versus Tuesday’s 2.66 billion units worth RM2.76 billion. Dealers said that investors were cautious following geopolitical developments in Asia.
Maintain Hold with unchanged target price (TP) of RM55
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Strategic decision
The cessation of BAT’s domestic manufacturing activity is a strategic decision to achieve a more sustainable business model. We estimate that the disposal of its factory land and M&E could fetch about MYR1.45/shr, partially offsetting one-off staff costs, which raises the prospect of a special dividend. Retain HOLD for now with an unchanged MYR55 DCF-TP.
To cease manufacturing activity
BAT has announced that it will cease its factory operations in Malaysia in stages and that the wind down will be completed by 2H17. Management cites higher production costs on lower legal volumes due to the high excise environment and rise in illicits. What is also the case, in our view, is that it is probably cheaper now, under AFTA, to source from other ASEAN countries, which is why BAT plans to source its tobacco products from other BAT factories regionally.
Disposal of manufacturing facility
The factory land in Sekysen 36, Bandar Petaling Jaya will be disposed by May 2016 by way of a public tender exercise. Assuming an average price of MYR353/sq ft (avg transacted prices from 2005-2013 in the vicinity), the land itself (c.47k sq m) could be worth about MYR175m or 61sen/shr. The BV was MYR57.5m end-2014. The machinery and equipment (M&E) will be sold to related parties under the BAT group. BV was MYR240.8m or 84sen/shr. Total proceeds could amount to MYR415m or MYR1.45/shr.
Maintaining forecasts for now
The manufacturing ops, by its own, could be just marginally profitable, which prompted this recent move, we think. Over the longer term, BAT is likely to see cost savings on lower admin expenses. Pending further clarity from management, our back of the envelope computation suggests that the savings could add up to 8-9% to net profit p.a.. In the near term, the group will have to contend with closure and redundancy costs (230 employees will be affected by the factory closure, out of total 845 end-2014). Our forecast are unchanged for now, as is our HOLD call and DCF-TP of MYR55.00 (WACC: 7.1%, LT-growth: 1.5%).
Source: Maybank IB Research, 18 March 2016
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