CHINA SUNSINE: Strong Profit Recovery in Play

This article was published recently on Ernest Lim's blog and is reproduced with permission.


IN FEBRUARY, I wrote on China Sunsine (CHINA SUNSINE: Expect positive results going forward!), pointing that it may be on the cusp of a recovery.

Since then (Sunsine closed at $0.255 on 21 Feb), it has surged 36.7% (inclusive of a dividend of $0.01 during the period) to touch an intraday high of $0.335. It closed at $0.310 last Friday. 

Sunsine’s 1HFY14 net profit exceeds the entire net profit earned in FY13 

Based on Table 1 below, Sunsine seems to be turning around with 2QFY14 sales and net profit up significantly from the previous few quarters and on a year-on-year comparison.

What is interesting is that 1HFY14 net profit has exceeded the net profit earned in the entire 2013. This good set of results is on the back of an increase in ASP as well as sales volume.

3QFY14F looks bright on several aspects  

The upcoming 3QFY14F looks bright in several aspects. 

Firstly, according to brokerage 中信建投证券, the supply of MBT, an intermediate product necessary for the production of MBT-based accelerators, dropped more than 30% as some MBT producers were forced to close down or suspend production due to their inability to meet the environment standards set up by the Chinese authorities.

As MBT prices rise, so do MBT-based accelerators. China Sunsine has its own factory for producing MBT, and has been compliant with the environment standards, hence its production is not affected.

Secondly, the accelerators’ inventory levels in China have been reduced due to an increase in the export of accelerators. 

The trend of relatively high prices of accelerators is unlikely to ease in the near term as companies need time to rebuild / improve their production facilities and comply with environment standards. In addition, China is likely to maintain its resolve in reducing pollution, especially with the upcoming APEC meeting in November. 

Thirdly, raw material prices for producing accelerators continue to be stable, hence they are unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on its upcoming 3Q results. 

Sunsine has paid $0.01 / share as dividends for seven consecutive years 

For seven consecutive years, Sunsine has paid $0.01 / share as dividends. At Friday’s closing price of $0.310, this represents a dividend yield of 3.2%. There may be scope for higher dividends as Sunsine's 1HFY14 net profit has already eclipse that of FY13.

Stark discount to its Chinese peer 

Sunsine trades at 0.8x P/BV and annualised 2014F PE of around 4.3x. Net asset value per share is around $0.380. On a historical basis, Sunsine trades at an average P/BV and P/E of around 1.0x and 7.3x, respectively. 

With reference to Figure 1 below, it is noteworthy that its peer, Shandong Yanggu Huatai Chemical (“YGHT”), trades at 35x FY14F PE and 4.6x FY14F P/BV. Furthermore, YGHT’s estimated FY14F revenue and net profit are lower than Sunsine’s 1HFY14 figures. 

Figure 1: Analysts’ estimates of YGHT’s financials in the next 3 years

Note the strong growth in sales and profit that analysts are forecasting for Shandong Yanggu Huatai Chemical in FY2014 through to FY2016. Source: Bloomberg as of 25 Aug 14.

Other developments 

Sunsine is on track to complete its new heating plant by 3QFY2014. This may incur additional costs but it is likely to be an interesting cash flow generating investment over the medium term. See my previous writeup for more information on this. 

Sunsine’s chart analysis 

China Sunsine (31 cents) has a trailing PE of 5.6X, dividend yield of 3.23% and a market cap of S$149 million. Chart: Bloomberg.Since my writeup (Sunsine closed at $0.255 on 21 Feb), it has surged 36.7% (inclusive of a dividend of $0.01 during the period) to touch an intraday high of $0.335. It closed at $0.310 on last Friday.

Sunsine has closed the gap around $0.290 – 0.310 as it weakens from $0.335 on 7 Aug. It seems to have just formed an upside break in the flag formation.

However, we have to monitor how the price performs in the next few days.  A sustainable upside breakout above $0.305 with volume points to a measured eventual technical target of around $0.365. 

Supports and resistances are as follows: 

Supports: $0.300 / 0.290 / 0.275 

Resistances: $0.320 / 0.330 - 0.335 / 0.350 

Conclusion – FY14 likely to be a record year for Sunsine 

Sunsine seems to be in a sweet spot and FY14F may well be a record year for it. Nevertheless, as there is no rated analyst coverage on this stock, it may take time for the market to appreciate it.

Notwithstanding the positive points about Sunsine, readers should note that this is an S chip which is subject to S-chip risk, fluctuations in raw material prices and the vagaries of the automotive industry cycle in China. Readers who are interested should take a look at the company's website and email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the unrated reports on Sunsine. 


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