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 buy, with a higher target price (TP) of RM2.40
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| Hock Seng Lee |
Maintain BUY, with a raised TP of MYR2.40
HSL’s Kuching Centralised Sewerage Package 2 job win worth MYR750m is a positive surprise as the project value is higher than expected. We expect more construction jobs to be dished out in Sarawak as the state election looms closer. We raise our 2016 job win and EPS forecasts given the strong job wins todate. Reiterate BUY with a higher TP of MYR2.40 (+7%) on unchanged 12.5x 2017 PER.
Higher-than-expected project value
HSL-led Kumpulan Nishimatsu-HSL Consortium (75% owned) has won the Kuching Centralised Sewerage: Package 2 (P2) from Sewerage Services Department of Sarawak worth MYR750m. This is 42% higher than P1’s MYR530m as P2 has a wider coverage. P2’s project value is also higher than expected, of MYR500m. The job scope covers construction and commissioning of a wastewater treatment plant and other related works. The works are expected to complete in 72 months by 2Q22.
More job awards in the pipeline
This latest win has lifted HSL’s outstanding orderbook significantly by 85% to MYR1.2b. Assuming a pretax profit margin of 15%, we forecast a net profit contribution of MYR63m (11.5sen EPS) into 2022. YTD job win amounts to MYR621m (vs. total win of MYR275m in 2015). More job awards from SCORE and Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak could be expected as we inch closer to Sarawak election expected to be held in Apr 2016. In the long run, HSL could continue to benefit from the whole Kuching sewerage project worth MYR4b that would be implemented in 8 phases.
Record job win in 2016?
Given its strong job wins todate, we raise our 2016 job win forecast to MYR1.6b (+23%) and subsequently raise our 2016/17/18 EPS forecasts by +1%/+15%/+13%. Our new TP is MYR2.40 (+7%) based on unchanged 12.5x 2017 PER. HSL could achieve record high annual job win in 2016 that would lead to another step up in earnings. Reiterate BUY.
Source: Maybank IB Research, 18 March 2016

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