Excerpts from analysts' reports

NRA Capital maintains 19-c fair value for Serial System

jackylee_chinaAnalyst:
Jacky Lee (left)

 
Earnings in-line with expectation. Serial's 2Q14 net profit of US$5.0m was in line with our net profit forecast of US$4.9m (including the US$1.38m exceptional gain on the disposal of its 13.6% stake in Jubilee Industries Holdings). However, other key variance included higher-than-expected finance costs and taxation but offset by lower-than-expected other expenses.

We maintain our FY14-16 net profit forecast and fair value at S$0.19, still pegged at 8x FY14 PER. Maintain Overweight with 36% potential upside and generous dividend of 8-11% projected. 

 Sales continue to outpace the industry growth by increasing 28% yoy to US$263m in 2Q14, led by North Asia market (+30% yoy). Greater China revenue grew 47% yoy driven by expansion of major product lines to cater to strong demand in the smartphones, household appliances and consumer electronic sectors and 25% rise in Taiwan’s revenue due to the growth of major product lines, supported by addition of new customers.
 
NRA8.14 Gross margins slid by 0.6% pt yoy to 8.6% in 2Q14 as a result of higher volume of lower-margin components. Mobile devices now account for more than 15% of the group’s semiconductor turnover, which increased significantly from 6.5% in 1Q13. 

 Balance sheet remains healthy.
S$28m negative free cash flow generated in 2Q14 due mainly to higher working capital requirement. As a result, net gearing increased from 95% as at end-Mar quarter to 118%.

We believe the credit risk is mitigated as the group has purchased credit insurance covering the majority of its customers in the electronic components distribution business. The board declared a higher 0.3 cts interim dividend. 

Recent story:  SERIAL SYSTEM to acquire GSH businesses; TECHNICS wins contracts




DBS Vickers derives 19-c target for Tiong Seng Holdings

Analyst: Alfie Yeo

Below expectations.  2Q14 core earnings came in at only S$1.4m (-59% y-o-y) mainly on lower margins in construction segment.  Revenue grew 18% to S$155m on the back of higher construction activities.  However, gross margins declined to 4.7% (-7ppts from 2Q13) attributed to higher direct labour, materials, and subcontracting costs and higher revenue mix from lower margin HDB projects.

peklianguan_crane1Pek Lian Guan, CEO of Tiong Seng Holdings. NextInsight file photo
Low margin environment to continue.  We expect the low margin environment to persist in the construction sector.  Keen competition among local and foreign construction players will keep tender prices competitive, while higher costs will come from higher direct labour costs from increased foreign worker levies. 

Cut FY14F/FY15F earnings by 17-22%. We lower our construction gross margin assumption from 7.5% to 5%/4.9% for FY14F/FY15F.  As a result, we have reduced FY14F/FY15F earnings by 17-22% 

Maintain HOLD, lower TP to S$0.19. We note that Tiong Seng’s share price has been supported by its book value despite weak earnings in recent quarters. The stock trades at -1SD of its average book value.  We have refined valuation our valuation methodology for Tiong Seng to derive a new TP of S$0.19 based on blended 1x book value and 6x FY15F earnings (from S$0.20 previously).  Maintain HOLD, given that the outlook in the construction sector remains challenging.

2Q resuls presentation slides are here.

Recent story: 
TIONG SENG: Precast tunnel segment JV with Japanese market leader

 


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