Credit

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• Tata Motors ADR
• Xiaomi Corp

Melco Resorts and Entertainment (MLCO) announced yesterday that it is planning to issue USD 500 mn in 8NC3 notes. In addition, subsidiary Studio City has initiated a tender offer to repurchase up to USD 100 mn of the STCITY 6.0 ’25s. We view positively MLCO’s proposed bond issuance and the maturity extension of its credit facilities, as well as Studio City’s tender offer, as they demonstrate management’s proactive approach in managing the company’s debt maturities. The transactions will significantly reduce MLCO’s refinancing risk in FY 2025, as the company would have c. USD 1.5 bn of availability under its credit facilities that can be used to help repay the USD 1.0 bn MPEL 4.875 ’25s due in June 2025. Moreover, management has committed to prioritise debt reduction over dividend payments in FY 2024.

We view the price talk of 7.75-7.875% as fair.

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• Pakuwon Jati
• Sunny Optical Technology Group

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• Greentown China

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• China Vanke
• Indika Energy
• Vedanta Resources

Indika Energy’s FY 2023 numbers were soft as projected, owing to lower coal prices and the impact of the new licence for 91%-owned PT Kideco Jaya Agung. While Indika’s financial risk profile deteriorated significantly, the credit metrics remained robust within the rating category. Liquidity stayed sound.

The company should have a more difficult year in FY 2024, with decreased selling prices, revenue and earnings expected. That said, we still believe Indika can generate positive FCF, given its low-cost position.

The company is set to redeem the c. USD 294 mn outstanding USD 5.875% 11/24 notes on May 3rd at par. While the redemption will be leverage neutral, we view the move as credit positive. Indika will only have the USD 2025 bonds remaining after the 2024 notes redemption, and these can be almost fully funded by the holdco’s cash position.

Medco Energi’s FY 2023 numbers were acceptable in our view. The top line and margins softened, weighed down by reduced oil & gas (O&G) selling prices and slightly lower production volumes. FCF was negative and net debt increased, owing to the acquisition of a 20% stake in two O&G blocks at Oman in December. While leverage weakened, Net Debt/EBITDA remained acceptable at 2.5x at FYE 2023.

We believe earnings may continue declining in FY 2024, as management has guided for production to decrease further (mainly driven by lower working interest at Corridor Block PSC). Still, we believe Medco can generate slightly positive FCF in FY 2024 if it does not undertake new acquisitions. Liquidity is sound, and we note positively that the company’s sizeable equity stake in copper and gold mining JV Amman Mineral Internasional (listed on IDX) would provide it with meaningful financial flexibility if needed.

We revise our LARA to “Medium Risk” from “High Risk”, considering Medco’s longer reserve life and track record of proactive debt management.

Anton Oilfield’s FY 2023 results were strong, with revenue growth accelerating to levels not registered since H1/19. The strong FCF boosted the cash balance. The company’s financial risk profile improved significantly, with Net Debt/EBITDA below 1x and healthy interest coverage ratios. Liquidity is adequate.

We expect the business’ positive momentum to continue in FY 2024. H1 is projected to be significantly better y-o-y, while H2 is anticipated to improve only marginally due to the high base effect.

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• Gajah Tunggal
• Rakuten
• Road King Infrastructure
• SK Hynix

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• Kawasan Industri Jababeka
• Rakuten
• Tata Motors ADR

China Vanke’s FY 2023 numbers were somewhat soft in our view. While its top line and profitability declined in tandem with industry trends, the company’s property development gross margin remained robust (relative to peers) at c. 15%. Negatively, OCF (after interest and tax) was weak and net debt continued to rise. Leverage and coverage metrics deteriorated, but remained at reasonable levels (vs. peers).

Vanke’s liquidity at the holdco level is likely tight. In particular, the migration of bank borrowings to the project level has pressured the company’s holdco-level financing. The development may also indicate lenders’ reduced risk appetite towards Vanke. In addition, we view negatively that management did not disclose the amount of cash held under escrow restrictions. Moreover, it is unclear whether the Shenzhen government would provide extraordinary support (above and beyond market-oriented measures) to the company.

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• China Hongqiao
• Nickel Industries

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• China Vanke
• First Pacific Co
• Xiaomi Corp

China Jinmao has released FY 2023 numbers that were weak in our view, as the company reported a lower top line and reduced margins. However, the earnings decline was in line with expectations, as it reflected industry trends and the company had issued a profit warning in March 2024.

Negatively, leverage further deteriorated to a very weak level. In addition, we are concerned about whether Jinmao would be able to maintain access to domestic bond markets. This is as the company has seemingly stopped issuing domestic notes since July 2023. Instead, it issued perpetual bonds to immediate parent Sinochem HK in December. Going forward, Jinmao may have to increase its reliance on Sinochem for financing.

Yuexiu Property’s (YXP) FY 2023 results were largely stable and in line with our expectations. The company reported strong contracted sales and top-line growth, albeit the margins weakened in tandem with industry trends. Leverage was mixed, as net debt crept up slightly. Importantly, liquidity appears sound, supported by YXP’s healthy access to financing. The company remains active in land acquisitions and has a good quality land bank, with 95% of its projects in Tier 1 and 2 cities.

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• China Oil And Gas
• Meituan

Greentown China’s FY 2023 performance was satisfactory in our view, given the above-industry sales, stable top line and acceptable (albeit reduced) gross margin. Importantly, its access to onshore financing appears healthy and liquidity is adequate. In addition, the company remains active in land acquisitions and has a good quality land bank, mostly in high-tier cities in the Yangtze River Delta.

That said, leverage remained somewhat weak. Moreover, Greentown is more exposed to a prolonged industry downturn (vs. peers such as Longfor Group and China Vanke), due to its low recurring income and outsized exposure to the property development segment. This means that the company’s contracted sales and margins are likely to remain soft despite outperforming the industry. In the meantime, Greentown will likely focus on improving operating efficiency by maintaining a high sell-through rate and fast churn for its projects.

We revise our fundamental Credit Bias to “Negative” from “Stable”, and move our trade recommendation on the GRNCH 5.95 ’24s to “Buy” from “Hold” .

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• MGM China Holdings
• Pakuwon Jati

Longfor Group’s FY 2023 results were acceptable in our view. The earnings decline was in line with expectations, driven by reduced revenue from the property development segment. The gross margin for property development was decent at 11%, relative to some distressed peers with negative to low single-digit gross margins. Recurring revenue from rentals and services rose by 6%, with recurring operating profit covering 1.4x of interest expense. Net debt declined marginally, supported by slightly positive FCF generation.

Liquidity was adequate, with Unrestricted Cash/ST Debt of 1.4x. We note positively that the company has been repaying some debt well in advance of maturity, possibly using cheaper and longer tenor loans backed against its commercial properties. We believe near-term default risk for Longfor is low, albeit its financial flexibility would gradually diminish as the company pledges more assets for funding.

Meituan has released FY 2023 numbers that were excellent in our view, with significantly improved profitability and solid cash generation. The financial risk profile has strengthened further, with a large and growing net cash position coupled with robust leverage and coverage ratios. Liquidity is sound. We expect FY 2024 to be a better year for the company.

We revise our Credit Bias on Meituan to “Positive” from “Stable”, given the material increase in profitability and strong cash-flow generation following the pandemic. That said, we do not expect ratings upgrades in the near future.

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.

• China Hongqiao
• Delta Dunia Makmur