Thursday 15 March 2012

WCT (FV RM3.17- BUY) Corporate News Flash: Pays RM450m for KL Landbank


THE BUZZ
WCT announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Iris Green SB, has entered into a conditional share sale agreement with Eng Lian Enterprise  SB, Shen & Sons  SB and AMC SB, for the acquisition of the entire equity interest in Timor Barat Properties SB for a total cash consideration of RM450m. Timor Barat owns 3 parcels of land along Jalan Awan Cina, Taman Yarl with totaling 57.6 acres.

OUR TAKE
Reasonably priced. We found from Google Map  that Jalan Awan Cina is some 12-15km south-west from the Golden Triangle area. Accessibility to the city center is fairly decent through Old Klang road or the KESAS and MEX highways. Based on information provided by  jpph.info, an unofficial proxy to the  Property and Valuation Services Department of Malaysia displaying transacted property prices in Malaysia,  the last transacted land price in  a  similar area was  going  at an average of RM130 per sq ft in Nov 2010. Based on WCT’s offer of RM450m, this translates into approximately RM180 per sq ft, which we deem a reasonable premium given the significant size of the plots involved.

Pending conversion of land use. The acquisition offer is conditional upon conversion of land use on 2 of the 3 plots involved from nil to buildings with the conversion premium of up to RM15 per sq ft, to be borne by Timor Barat’s existing shareholders. All the 3 plots are largely vacant at this juncture.

An additional plot possible. Meanwhile, WCT has also secured an option to purchase an additional plot of land contiguous to one of the 3 plots involved should the alienation of the said parcel to Timor Barat take place before the acquisition is completed. Timor Barat had on 16 June 2011 submitted an application to Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) for the alienation of the said parcel of land contiguous to Land 3 as shown in Figure 2. The approval of the said application is still pending. Although not disclosed in its Bursa announcement, we understand that the said plot is approximately 10 acres. Based on the agreed pricing of  RM150 per  sq ft if freehold or RM135 per  sq ft if leasehold, this could translate into an additional RM59m-RM65m on top of WCT’s existing offer of RM450m for the 3 existing plots.

Outstanding landbank to break 1,000-acre mark. Should the acquisition be completed, WCT’s outstanding landbank could hit 1,055 acres (or 1,065 acres cum the additional plot). The acquisition would likely mark WCT’s closest development to the Golden Triangle in KL (prior presence  via the Paradigm in PJ, Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang as well as a sizeable 468-acre plot in Rawang, Selangor). This move  reaffirms our belief that WCT would likely enlarge  its property development footprint  going forward as part of its three-pronged approach on construction works, as well as property development and management.

RM804m cash hoard may  come in handy. We see no issues with WCT’s financing for the proposed acquisition given its cash pile of over RM800m as of Dec 2011, and its net gearing of 0.42x. Assuming an all-cash deal  at the maximum sum  of RM515m (cum the additional plot at RM65m), we expect its net gearing to close FY12 at a relatively unchanged 0.41x owing to its strong cash flow generation. Note that the group’s bond covenant allows a net gearing of up to 1.75x.

Mixed development likely. From our brief checks on  iProperty.com, Jalan Awan Cina mainly comprises medium-end condominiums named O.G. Heights, which are selling for RM350 per sq ft in the secondary market, as well as some detached bungalows going for RM2m-RM5m each.  Taman Yarl itself is primarily a mixed residential development comprising mass market apartments, terrace houses, as well as semi- and fully detached residences.  Judging from this mix  as the proposed land usage, we believe WCT would likely look at a mixed medium to high end condominiums development, with some potential commercial  units  given the lack of commercial lots, family malls as well as hotels in the said area. Management confirmed that the group is looking at a target GDV of RM4bn over a period of 8 to 10 years, with first launch targeted by 2014 should the acquisition be completed on time.

BUY. All in, we deem the acquisition reasonably priced and are encouraged by WCT’s move to further expand its property development footprint  via  its maiden venture  into Kuala Lumpur.  No changes to our earnings model at this juncture.  Maintain BUY, at an unchanged FV of RM3.17, based on 14x FY12 PER.

Source: OSK188

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