Indonesia

• Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) has revealed more detail on the impact of boycotts stemming from the Gaza conflict on some of its brands, most notably Starbucks but also including Zara. 
• Management remains upbeat about the outlook for the expansion of new retail outlets across its brand portfolio in Indonesia and Southeast Asia but has reduced guidance for Starbucks. 
• Mitra Adiperkasa remains the best proxy for Indonesian retail with any weakness in the share price an opportunity, with valuations remaining attractive. 

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

• Ace Hardware Indonesia (ACES IJ) results revealed a positive finish to 2023 and an optimistic outlook for 2024, with new store rollout and shorter promotion periods set to boost sales.
• ACES continues to roll out its new format stores and renovate existing stores with a positive result, with 20 stores expected to be renovated in 2024 and 15-20 new stores,
• The company has seen strong momentum in 2M2024 with +10% SSSG and remains confident about the outlook, with positive guidance for growth. Valuations remain attractive versus history. 

• AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) booked an impressive finish to the year despite slower revenue growth from its trading & distribution business boosted by strong industrial plot sales at JIIPE.
• The company expects trading & industrial volumes to improve in 2024, with retail petroleum becoming more significant with JIIPE expected to see increasing recurrent utilities earnings starting in 2H2024. 
• AKR Corporindo has a strong pipeline of potential tenants for JIIPE and expects to expand its BP JV retail petrol stations by 40-50 this year. Valuations remain attractive.

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.

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

• The FY24 guidance reflects a self-funded development and debt repayment programme.
• While a reduced capital programme, we believe this is a prudent strategy with upside optionality should additional funds from the Bulu sale or higher oil prices materialize.
• As a result of the Bulu sale not completed yet, Criterium is carrying more debt than we expected (the repayment of US$5.5 mm of debt in March would have also triggered a US$3.8 mm debt write down).

• Delta Djakarta (DLTA IJ) came out with subpar FY23 results, with revenues/profits down 5%/13% YoY with a loss of marketshare to Multi Bintang Indonesia (MLBI IJ) 
• Q4 2023 showed an improvement, with revenues/profits up 1.5%/4% YoY, breaking a sequence of three consecutive quarters of negative growth.
• Trading at 13x FY23 PE with 25% of the market cap in cash and 9-10% dividend yield, the stock is worth exploring, although we prefer Multi Bintang Indonesia (MLBI IJ) 

• Ultrajaya Milk (ULTJ IJ) 4Q2023 and FY2023 confirmed a recovery on both its dairy and carton tea segments, with strong growth and a normalisation of raw material costs boosting margins.
• ULTJ continue to focus on new product launches in dairy and carton tea and growing its distribution network with its new distrbution centre at MM1200 under pilot testing.
• Prospects for FY2024 look healthy with expanding distribution and a number of new products helping to drive growth. Valuations look reasonable versus listed competitor Cisarua Mountain Dairy (CMRY IJ).  

• Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) finished the year with strong sales growth of +17.4% YoY in 4Q2023 with solid growth across all segments and improving margins. 
• The company continues to add to its 150-strong brand portfolio in Indonesia, as well as extending its reach further in Southeast Asia and growing its omnichannel capabilities. 
• MAPI remains our top retail pick in Indonesia with its focus on the resilient upper-middle segment in Indonesia and increasing regional exposure. Valuations remain attractive at 12.5x FY2024E PER.

• Kawasan Industri Jababeka released a strong set of FY2023 results, with revenue growth of 20% overall and EBITDA increasing by +15% YoY due to higher land sales at Kendal.
• KIJA also saw strong recurrent revenue from its infrastructure pillar making up 44% of sales. Marketing sales came in above its target and it is projecting a higher 2024 number.,
• The company’s Kendal Estate is a key beneficiary of shifting supply chains from China with 81% of sales to foreign companies and marketing sales increasing 68% YoY in 2023. 

• Multi Bintang Indonesia (MLBI IJ) reported its FY23 earnings with revenues/profits up 6.7%/15% YoY.  Q4 FY23 revenues and profits were up 5.6%/17% YoY. 
• OPM (%) expanded 180 bps from 40.6% to 42.4%, and NPAT margins 240 bps to 32.1%. We believe that trends will continue to improve in 2024.
• At its board meeting, we expect the company to declare a full-year FY23 dividend of 500 Rph/share ( implying a 7% yield). The H123 dividend was 110 Rph/share.

• PT Nippon Indosari Corpindo (ROTI IJ) saw a relatively slow finish to the year with a slight decline in sales but the key drag came from a higher return rate.
• 4Q2023 did not see the usual seasonal spike but 2024 has started well and the return rate has come down, which will boost profitability as new products gain traction. 
• ROTI has launched several more affordable products to help drive its push into general trade whilst raw material prices remain under control. Valuations are attractive with recovery ahead.

• Semen Indonesia (SMGR IJ) released a positive set of results in FY2023 despite a difficult operating environment and intense competition through increasing efficiencies linked to sustainability at the same time. 
• The company continues to work on improving production efficiency as well as distribution through greater digitalisation and is benefiting from synergies from Semen Baturaja.
• Increasing government infrastructure spending will help to drive growth in demand for bulk cement, especially from the new capital, with Semen Indonesia being a prime beneficiary. Valuations look attractive.