We are maintaining our NEUTRAL recommendation on the
Automotive sector due to the lack of fresh leads for the sector in the near
term. We believe that the recent 13% drop MoM in August TIV volume was due to
the “wait and see” stance taken by consumer waiting for possible goodies to be
announced in the Budget 2013. However, the Budget 2013 has not mentioned any
changes and benefits to the automotive sector. We think that the sector is
poised with incentives in the upcoming and long-awaited NAP revision. However,
with the uncertainties in policy ahead, we believe that the sector will continue to trade with
undemanding valuations. With a seasonally strong demand period at the end of
the year coupled with new model launches, this will somewhat cushion the impact
of the low approval rate and long lead time for loan approvals in early 2012.
Hence, we are maintaining our NEUTRAL rating on the sector. Our top pick is UMW
(OP; TP RM: 11.17) to leverage on its strong MyVi and Toyota sales and market
share. Its oil and gas division has also made a comeback to support its
valuation.
Tan Chong a laggard
in 1H12. Tan Chong Motor’s 1H12 sets of results came in below expectations due
to delays in the launching of its new model and slow recovery from the Japan
earthquake impact. MBM and UMW’s results were within expectations as the
recovery in supply was somewhat offset by the slowdown in sales due to the
stricter loan approvals, which drag the approval lead time longer.
August TIV growth
slows down. The YTD August TIV for passenger car segment grew marginally at
less than 1%. MoM, the sales for passenger car drop by 11% despite it being a
seasonally strong sales period prior to festive season, i.e. Hari Raya. This
was likely due to the “wait and see” stance taken by consumers prior to the
Budget 2013 announcement. However, we believe that it will be a short-lived
phenomenon as sales is expected to pick up pace at the end of the year. UMW and
Proton have registered a healthy growth in bookings, i.e. for Preve and Toyota
Camry, which should support our FY12 TIV growth forecast of 2.3% (613,674
vehicles). Thus far, the national car segment, Perodua has managed to increase
its sales by 10% (YoY) and maintained its first position in terms of market
share while Proton’s sales were down by 15%. So far, the sales of non-national
cars have seen a slow recovery in sales except for Toyota, which grew by13%.
Honda and Nissan sales are still lagging due to the timing difference of new
model launches like Nissan B-segment Almera and Honda.
Demand adapts to the
lower loan approval rate environment.
We conclude that the 1.6% growth in the YTD August TIV number as within
our 2.3% TIV growth forecast for 2012. Despite the down trending of the loan
approval rate for the passenger car segment from 52% in January 2011 to 46%
(present), the demand has actually grown by 12% YTD (YoY). This is considered a
strong recovery for the sector and we believe that the demand is hardly change
from stricter financing.
UMW (OP; TP RM:
11.17) as the sector’s Top pick. In line with the increased sales in
Perodua and Toyota, UMW’s 2Q12 earnings have marked a strong recovery and we
expect the momentum to continue, supported by its new models like Prius, Camry
and Vios new facelift. Its oil and gas division is also slowly contributing to
the bottom line as compared to its loss-making position in the past. The main
highlights here are the improving earnings contribution from NAGA 3 jack up rig
and also the contribution from the agency fees earned from HAKURYU-5
submersible rig. Nonetheless, its automotive division still remained as the
major earnings contributor for UMW and going forward, with its recovery set in
place, we expect value to emerge from its currently undemanding valuation at
14x.
MBM could emerged as
a dark horse…We do not discount that could be something are brewing in the
company itself as the management is seriously looking to utilize its
manufacturing license in the near term. This will be a big turnaround for MBM,
although we would like to wait for more visibilities from the upcoming
revisions on the NAP. That said, given the right circumstances, we see MBM
could emerge as the “favorite” play of the sector.
Source: Kenanga
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