Monday, 27 February 2012

Tan Chong Motor - Thai floods, Vietnam losses drag earnings HOLD


• We re-affirm our HOLD rating on Tan Chong Motor (TCM) with a lower fair value of RM4.20/share, following  the release of weak 4Q11 results.

• TCM reported net earnings of RM31mil, which brought full- year net profit to RM222mil. This was below our expectation and consensus, accounting for 84% and 89% of full-year estimates, respectively. We have trimmed our FY12-13F estimates by 4%-12% on the back of the weak results.

• The deviation came mainly from lower-than-expected sales, particularly in 4Q11. Revenue declined 3% QoQ driven by an 11% QoQ sales volume contraction. This was slightly offset by higher sales per vehicle (+8% QoQ). 

• On a net basis, however, earnings fell some 43% as  a result of diseconomies of scale (given supply shortage and typically weak 4Q demand). Operating margins fell to 6% vs. 8% in 3Q11. The temporary weakening of the Ringgit in 3Q-4Q11 also drove imported costs higher sequentially. 

• TCM launched the replacement model for the Vanette sometime in February, Historically, this model fetched sales volume of over 400 per month, but margins are low relative to passenger models. 

• The big volume and earnings kicker for TCM should come from the launch of Nissan’s B-segment model (known as the Nissan Sunny in China). TCM is currently not represented in the B-segment, which represents the largest chunk of industry TIV accounting for circa 40% of volumes. 

• We have built-in a forecasted sales volume of 1,100 units/month for the B-segment, which is fairly conservative relative to the current B-segment models in the market i.e. Toyota Vios (1,500/month) and Honda City (1,600/month). Indications are for a launch in 4Q12.

• However, we believe the launch of this B-segment model is already largely factored in by the market judging by consensus’ 35% YoY earnings growth forecasted for FY12F. Our forecast is currently 6% below consensus. 

• From a valuation standpoint, TCM’s FY12F PE of 10x is close to the historical average valuation. We believe 1Q12 earnings will continue to be a drag as the impact of supply shortage is likely to persist while the negative impact of tighter HP loan approval only started in January 2012.  

Source: AmeSecurities

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