Shares of Swift Haulage Bhd fell to a 13-month low on Thursday, following weaker-than-expected earnings. The stock dropped 5.3% to 45 sen, its lowest since September 2023, with a market capitalization of RM406 million. This decline brings Swift Haulage’s year-to-date fall to nearly 17%, erasing early optimism about higher logistics rates amid global shipping challenges.
Net profit for January-September came in at only about half of analysts' full-year forecasts, triggering earnings and target price cuts. Maybank Investment Bank cautioned that competition may slow uptake in the warehouse and container depot segments, lowering its target price (TP) to 49 sen and maintaining a "hold" rating.
Swift’s consensus TP is now 51 sen, with two "buy" and three "hold" ratings. Analysts note that port congestion in the Red Sea impacted this year’s container haulage performance, though MIDF Amanah sees potential growth from improved warehouse utilisation rates and cross-selling opportunities in land transportation.
The group's 3QFY2024 net profit fell nearly 80% to RM5.77 million compared to the same quarter last year, mainly due to the absence of a previous gain from a bargain purchase and increased finance costs. Revenue, however, rose 8.9% to RM183.06 million, driven by its container haulage and land transportation divisions.
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