MONEY MASTER

Maintain buy, with a higher target price (TP) of RM2.40 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 ...

Maintain Hold with unchanged target price (TP) of RM55 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 l...

Maintain buy with a lower target price (TP) of RM6.50 Top Glove Remains the industry’s most profitable player 2QFY8/16 results were sequentially weaker but still solid, being Top Glove’s historically second most profitable quarter. For 3QFY8/16, we think earnings could be flattish QoQ as sales volume growth could compensate for the stronger MYR/USD and higher latex cost. We maintain our earnings forecasts and BUY call. However, given the volatility in external factors, we lower our target 2017 PER to 19x (+1SD to mean PER, from 25x) to derive our new TP of MYR6.50 (-22%). Within expectations 2QFY8/16 core net profit was MYR105m (-15% QoQ, +87% YoY), bringing 6MFY8/16 core net profit to MYR228m (+118% YoY) - 57% of our and street’s full-year forecasts. The comparative preceeding quarter’s core net profit excludes gains from the disposal of US bonds. No dividend was declared, as expected. Seasonally weaker; Margins remained strong The weaker QoQ earnings was due lowe...

Maintain Neutral, Preference: Axiata Malaysia telco sector Muted outlook   4Q15 results were mixed – mobile players struggled while it was more business-as-usual for fixed-line players. 2016 guidance was unanimously muted, and we have lowered FY16/17 net profit forecasts across the board. We now have HOLD ratings on all our stocks. On a relative basis, our preference is for Axiata (HOLD, TP: MYR6.10).  4Q15: Mobile struggled; routine for fixed 4Q15 proved to be another challenging quarter for the mobile players, with net profit of the Big 3 all below expectations. The Big 3 again posted sequential service revenue decline (-0.7% QoQ), which meant fullyear service revenue of the Big 3 declined for a second consecutive year (-1.0% YoY). Net profit was further depressed by higher-than-expected depreciation, interest expense and taxes. Meanwhile, full-year results of fixed-line players (TM and TDC) were not as negative, with TM in line and TDC above expectations on f...

Maintain Buy call with unchanged Target Price (TP) of RM4.30 Inari Amertron Bhd Positive reinforcement to Inari’s new plant, P-21 We are positively surprised by the MYR100m matching grant awarded by MIDA; a testament to Inari’s capabilities. Look beyond temporary earnings weakness in 3QFY16 as Inari continues to offer long-term growth prospects. Our forecasts and MYR4.30 TP (17x CY17 EPS) are unchanged for now; reiterate Inari as the Top Pick of the sector for its improved earnings visibility and strong growth prospects. The biggest grant awarded by far Following the acquisition of the P-21 plant for the setting up of Inari Integrated Systems (IIS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inari, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has granted MYR100m matching grant to Inari to upgrade its P-21 plant and for the purchase of equipment and machineries. This is to power Inari’s next growth engine in the areas of advanced communication chips and die preparation. ...

Maintain Buy call with  lower Target Price (TP) of RM0.90 (+29%) Eversendai Corp Strong job win momentum to continue Following strong job wins in 2015, the momentum would continue in 2016 especially from Middle East and Malaysia. Variation order claim is expected to pick up in 2016, providing upside to our earnings forecasts. The pick up in job flows from key global events in the Middle East would re-rate the stock. Post earnings forecasts adjustments, we maintain BUY on Eversendai with a lower MYR0.90 TP (-10%) based on 12x 2017 PER. Potential job wins from ME and Malaysia Eversendai’s 2015 record high job wins of MYR1.73b was mainly from Middle East (64% of total) and 65% consisted of structural steel works. In 2016, Eversendai would continue tendering actively in Middle East and Malaysia but would tender selectively in India. The major events including World Expo 2020 in Dubai and World Cup 2022 in Qatar would continue to drive construction jobs in the M...