Malaysia’s CPO inventory level for Apr-12 was reported at
1.85m mt, coming in at the lower range of the consensus estimate of 1.82m-1.92m
mt. It was also 3% below our estimate of 1.90m mt as the tree stress effect had
caused a deeper than expected production decline. With the total demand increasing 4% against the total supply drop
of 2%, the stocks-to-usage ratio
declined to 10.3% in Apr-12 (from 11.2% in Mar-12). On the supply side,
CPO production slumped 17% YoY to only 1.27m mt in Apr-12. We believe that the
data confirmed that the tree stress effect has intensified as the drop of 17%
YoY in Apr-12 was worse than the YoY decline of 15% in Mar-12. We think that
the tree stress effect may stay for a while with the worst case scenario of
lasting for two years. On the demand side, exports was flat in Apr-12 at 1.33m
mt as demand growth from the major CPO consumers was neutralised by lower
demand from other smaller CPO consumers such as Egypt and Bangladesh. The
fundamentals are leaning towards bullish CPO prices, which continue to support
our OVERWEIGHT call on the Plantation Sector. We maintain our CY12 average CPO
price of RM3,200 per mt but there is an upside bias if the tree stress effect
worsens. We have OUTPERFORM calls on SIME (TP: RM11.60), GENP (TP: RM10.70) and
IJM Plantation (TP: RM4.25) on valuation
grounds. To capitalise on their double digit FFB growth, we also have
OUTPERFORM calls on Ta Ann (RM7.75) and United Malacca (TP: RM8.00). Meanwhile,
we are maintaining our MARKET PERFORM calls on KLK (TP: RM23.60) and IOI (TP:
RM5.60).
Apr-12 stocks level
in the lower range of consensus expectations. The CPO inventory level of
1.85m mt was at the lower range of the consensus estimate of 1.82m-1.92m mt. It
was 3% below our estimate of 1.90m mt as the tree stress effect has caused
production to dip further than expected. As total demand increased 4%, and the
total supply declining by 2%, the stocks-to-usage ratio eroded to 10.3% in
Apr-12 (Mar-12: 11.2%). On the overall, the sustained drop in the stocks level
to ow 2.00 mt is positive for CPO prices. Tree stress effect is more severe
than expected. CPO production slumped 17% YoY to only 1.27m mt in Apr-12. We
believe that the data confirmed that the tree stress effect has intensified as
the drop of 17% YoY in Apr-12 was worse than the YoY decline of 15% in Mar-12.
Apr-12 production was also 2% below the market
estimate of 1.29m mt and 14% lower than our estimate of 1.47m mt. We
believe that there is still long way to go before the tree stress effect ends.
In the past 10 years, the worst CPO production down-cycle due to tree stress
lasted for more than 2 years. As this round
of tree stress is only 2 months old, we believe that it will be some
time before one can see a significant increase in production again.
Resilient demand from
China, India and Europe supportive for CPO prices. Exports was flat in
Apr-12 at 1.33m mt as demand growth from major CPO consumers was neutralised by
lower demand from the other smaller CPO consumers such as Egypt and Bangladesh.
Among the key CPO consumers, the highest growth came from India (+104% MoM to
245k mt), Europe (+18% MoM to 204k mt) and China (+6% MoM to 274k mt). The strengthening
CPO exports to India were probably caused by a shift of demand towards cheaper
CPO instead of soybean oil, which has appreciated significantly. European
demand for palm oil may have increased due to higher usage of it as a cheaper
feedstock for biodiesel after winter ended. The increase in exports to China
may reflect continuous aggressive buying from the country to hedge against
potentially worse-than-expected droughts in South America.
Tight US soybean
production positive for CPO prices. It appears that chances are now slimmer
for US soybean to exceed the low planting intention of 73.9m acres. We
understand that plantings for most crops in US have intensified due to the good
weather. Spring plantings had a very good start with corn as the key
beneficiary. Corn sowings until 29 April was 53% completed over the intended
area (significantly higher than last year’s 12% and the 5-year average of 27%).
The rapid planting progress should result in very large corn plantings, and hence
less acreage for soybean. In order to cover the lower soybean oil supply, CPO
demand will have to increase given its use as a soybean oil substitute, and
hence offering more upside for CPO prices ahead.
Source: Kenanga
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