Thursday 27 September 2012

Faber Group Bhd - A Dark Horse In The Making?


INVESTMENT MERIT
- Recovering.  Faber’s bottom line has improved since a hiccup in 3Q11 when it recognised additional costs of RM44.5m for works completed in UAE. In addition, an amount of RM12.9m was provided for delay in the collection of trade receivables from a principal, Western Region Municipality. In its latest 2Q12 financial results, Faber registered a 2Q12 net profit of RM19.5m, +18.5% QoQ or +18.4% YoY, bringing the 1H12 net profit to RM36.0m, +17.5% YoY. Going forward, we believe the profitability of Faber will be driven by its principal businesses and also by the potential writeback of the RM12.9m impairment loss in 4Q12 or 1Q13 as the chances of recoverability have improved significantly. 

- Concessions renewal.  It was reported that the upcoming year will be even more profitable for the group on the back of it possibly securing a hospital support service concession deal with the government by this year-end. This is likely achievable based on Faber’s track record with the government. Reassuringly, two other concession holders – Pharmaniaga and Padiberas – have also managed to secure concession renewals with the government of late. 

- Healthy organic growth. Before finalising the concession renewal, Faber has been given the rights to continue carrying its existing  concession under Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) Management. As such, its business is running as usual. It plans to grow its non-concession IFM income by expanding into the private healthcare sector. Organic growth in the IFM segment, which accounts for >80% of its revenue, is guided to be at 3%-4% p.a..

- Property division – a profit booster.  Revenue from this segment should surpass RM157m in 2011 driven by its existing projects in Taman Desa and Kepong. The group also plans to launch two other projects with a total Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM414m in Persiaran Gurney, Kuala Lumpur and Lucky Heights II, Kota Kinabalu in 4Q12. Going  forward, the group is likely to grow this segment via pocket-size property developments in the Klang Valley.

- Dividends.  Faber has been paying 8 sen gross dividend per share (DPS) for the last two financial years, translating into payout ratios of 27.6%-35.4%. We understand that the group plans to increase its  dividend payout after paring down its RM77.58m loan stocks in 3Q12. Based on our cashflow projections, we believe that the group will be able to increase its gross DPS to 10 sen, or 7.5 sen net, translating into a net dividend yield of 5.7% and a payout ratio of c. 40%. 

- Due for a rerating?  Faber is traded at 7.6x FY11A PER and 6.7x FY12E PER, which are undemanding compared to the small cap healthcare and waste management stocks’ FY11-FY12 PER of 10x-9x. In addition, the recent inclusion of IHH Healthcare into the FBMKLCI has also boosted the sector's valuation. However, we recognize that the stock will only stage a significant
re-rating if it is granted the concession renewal.  At this juncture, we only value the stock at RM1.41 based on the FBMSC Index FY12E PER of 7.0x on our FY13E EPS projection of 20.2 sen. Should the concession be renewed, we believe the stock could be rerated to RM1.81, implying 9x FY13E PER.

TECHNICALS
- Resistance: RM1.45 (R1), RM1.60 (R2)
- Support: RM1.28 (S1), RM1.25 (S2)
Comments: Faber’s persistent downtrend appears to be coming to an end with the share price failing to make new lows since September last year. The share price is just above a strong support line at RM1.28, and looks poised for a rebound. The MACD is in agreement is indicating a shift of momentum from negative to positive.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Faber Group Bhd was formed through a merger between Merlin Hotels Malaysia Bhd and Faber Union Sdn Bhd in 1972 and later on was established as Faber Group in 1990. It is now a leading player in the Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) and has expanded into the Property Development Sector. The group provides IFM services to hospitals, commercial and residential properties both in the public and private sectors and is Malaysia’s largest Hospital Support Services company for over 70 government hospitals and 400 healthcare institutions. 

It also has a growing property solution division that has established itself in the Taman Desa development region and is now actively expanding its portfolio. Faber Group currently extends its services to hospitals and hotels in Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and several parts of India.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Integrated Facilities Management: Biomedical engineering maintenance services, Cleansing Services, Clinical Waste Management Services, Facility Engineering Maintenance Services, Linen and Laundry Services, Maintenance Management Information Systems Property Development: Condominium, Commercial and Residential developments. Completed portfolio includes developments in Taman Desa (current projects are Armada Villa and Villa Prima); Laman Rimbunan, Kepong (Areca Residence) and East Malaysia.  

Source: Kenanga

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