Thailand

In this briefing:

1. Krung Thai Bank: Not as Cheap as It Looks

1. Krung Thai Bank: Not as Cheap as It Looks

Originally, Krung Thai Bank Pub (KTB TB) struck us as interesting. A solid PH Score™, reasonable franchise valuation and P/Book, and a low RSI.

However, further due-diligence shows a somewhat stagnant and eroding operation.

• Headline profitability improvement is unrelated to efficiency or to operational advances.
• Cost growth is fast outpacing a declining top-line.
• Interest income has actually fallen for each of the last 3 years.
• The bank is being squeezed on margin despite keeping interest expenses unchanged.
• Non-interest expenses soared by 26% YoY.
• The bottom line (and profitability) was flattered by varied low quality items as well as much lower loan loss provisions, but still remained well above comprehensive income.
• Asset Quality is also concerning (despite lower loan loss provisions) given the sharp rise in loss (especially) and substandard loans as well as the amount of Special Mention Loans on the Balance Sheet. This means provisioning of problem loans may not be sufficient.
• Liquidity: Deposits are also declining, pushing up the LDR.

In this briefing:

1. Krung Thai Bank: Not as Cheap as It Looks
2. TTW: Cut 2019-2023 Earnings on the Rise of Depreciation Expenses

1. Krung Thai Bank: Not as Cheap as It Looks

Originally, Krung Thai Bank Pub (KTB TB) struck us as interesting. A solid PH Score™, reasonable franchise valuation and P/Book, and a low RSI.

However, further due-diligence shows a somewhat stagnant and eroding operation.

• Headline profitability improvement is unrelated to efficiency or to operational advances.
• Cost growth is fast outpacing a declining top-line.
• Interest income has actually fallen for each of the last 3 years.
• The bank is being squeezed on margin despite keeping interest expenses unchanged.
• Non-interest expenses soared by 26% YoY.
• The bottom line (and profitability) was flattered by varied low quality items as well as much lower loan loss provisions, but still remained well above comprehensive income.
• Asset Quality is also concerning (despite lower loan loss provisions) given the sharp rise in loss (especially) and substandard loans as well as the amount of Special Mention Loans on the Balance Sheet. This means provisioning of problem loans may not be sufficient.
• Liquidity: Deposits are also declining, pushing up the LDR.

2. TTW: Cut 2019-2023 Earnings on the Rise of Depreciation Expenses

We maintain our positive view toward its long-term outlook on the backs of potential growth from its location and secured contract with government agency. Maintain a BUY rating with a new target price of Bt16.8 (SOTP).

The story:

• We cut our 2019-2021 earnings forecast by 12-13% to factor in rising depreciation expenses caused by its shortening depreciated years of PTW’s assets.
• Our new target price of Bt16.8 is derived from Some-of-the-parts (SOTP) which comprises (1) Bt13.8 from core business (tap water supply under both TTW and PTW) based on DCF(6.7%WACC, 0%TG) and (2) Bt3.0 from CKP based on IFA report.

In this briefing:

1. Krung Thai Bank: Not as Cheap as It Looks
2. TTW: Cut 2019-2023 Earnings on the Rise of Depreciation Expenses
3. Snippets #20: Dark Clouds in Thai Equities

1. Krung Thai Bank: Not as Cheap as It Looks

Originally, Krung Thai Bank Pub (KTB TB) struck us as interesting. A solid PH Score™, reasonable franchise valuation and P/Book, and a low RSI.

However, further due-diligence shows a somewhat stagnant and eroding operation.

• Headline profitability improvement is unrelated to efficiency or to operational advances.
• Cost growth is fast outpacing a declining top-line.
• Interest income has actually fallen for each of the last 3 years.
• The bank is being squeezed on margin despite keeping interest expenses unchanged.
• Non-interest expenses soared by 26% YoY.
• The bottom line (and profitability) was flattered by varied low quality items as well as much lower loan loss provisions, but still remained well above comprehensive income.
• Asset Quality is also concerning (despite lower loan loss provisions) given the sharp rise in loss (especially) and substandard loans as well as the amount of Special Mention Loans on the Balance Sheet. This means provisioning of problem loans may not be sufficient.
• Liquidity: Deposits are also declining, pushing up the LDR.

2. TTW: Cut 2019-2023 Earnings on the Rise of Depreciation Expenses

We maintain our positive view toward its long-term outlook on the backs of potential growth from its location and secured contract with government agency. Maintain a BUY rating with a new target price of Bt16.8 (SOTP).

The story:

• We cut our 2019-2021 earnings forecast by 12-13% to factor in rising depreciation expenses caused by its shortening depreciated years of PTW’s assets.
• Our new target price of Bt16.8 is derived from Some-of-the-parts (SOTP) which comprises (1) Bt13.8 from core business (tap water supply under both TTW and PTW) based on DCF(6.7%WACC, 0%TG) and (2) Bt3.0 from CKP based on IFA report.

3. Snippets #20: Dark Clouds in Thai Equities

Of the five interesting trends/events/developments we heard this month, we highlighted five and how they could impact Thai equities in the near term:

• Thai Raksa Chart Party dissolution. The dissolution of the TRC, the second largest Thaksinite party, poses some political risks but could affect sentiments for companies founded by Thaksin, such as Intuch and AIS.
• Thai Air Asia says no to Nok Air. After the briefest considerations, the larger airline came to the conclusion that they wouldn’t acquire a stake in struggling Nok Air.
• Capital Gains Taxes are currently under consideration by the government for the first time. If implemented, they are likely to have negative impact on overall equities but the brokers in particular.
• From LINE to BEC. LINE (Thailand)’s Country Manager Ariya Phanomyong has agreed to move to BEC. Though mildly positive, we believe improvements will revolve around distribution rather than the more key issue of content.
• True Move’s Request for 5G delay may sound odd at first glance, but we see it as a rational, if not very tactful, way of delaying a new round of capex.

In this briefing:

1. A Second Look at the Thai Airlines Industry
2. CHG: Short-Term Cost Pressures Create an Opportunity to Invest
3. Asian Bank Asset Quality: “One Overdue, Two Bad” 一逾两呆 The Complex Journey of the NPL
4. PLANB: Moving Forward with VGI, the Outdoor Media Tycoon
5. China’s New Semiconductor Thrust – Part 2: Commodities as a Quick Path to Success

1. A Second Look at the Thai Airlines Industry

In this two part series, we apply some of the thoughts of UK-based industry expert Morrel to the Thai airlines industry and try to figure if even the best-in-class ones like AAV is worth a shot. In the first part, some of the key points include:

• Heightened attention. The industry has regained spotlight with recent news flow of: 1) failed M&A between Air Asia and Nok Air; 2) demand and logistic shocks from India and the Phuket incident; and 3) the Boeing 737 recalls sparked in Ethiopia.
• Governance and foreign ownership. Certain issues that might have come up had the Air Asia-Nok deal gone forward include foreign ownership given Air Asia’s Malaysian roots. On the governance side, Thai Airways probably has more serious issues than other rivals in the industry.
• Leased vs. owned fleets. The typical Thai carrier owns most of its fleet compared to only half for most Asian airlines. These cost savings, though tying down capital, are possible for a number of reasons, from state support to strong financials and smaller size.
• Impact of a strong Baht. The Baht’s appreciation tends to affect the sector negatively, because it makes tourism more expensive. For Thai Airways, however, its large Japanese debts means it is a net beneficiary of the recent trend.

2. CHG: Short-Term Cost Pressures Create an Opportunity to Invest

We initiate coverage of CHG with a BUY rating and a 2019E target price of Bt2.53, derived from a discounted cash flow valuation (WACC of 6.2% and terminal growth of 2.0%). This is equivalent to 44.5 PE’19E, which is near its five-year trading average of 43.7x.

The story:

• Competitive player in a key strategic location
• Pressures from launch of new greenfield hospitals should be short term
• Recent share price retreat opens an investment opportunity
• Expected flat earnings in 2019E and growth at a 19% CAGR in 2020-21E

Risks:     Medical personnel shortage

                Litigation for medical services

                Change in social security policy

3. Asian Bank Asset Quality: “One Overdue, Two Bad” 一逾两呆 The Complex Journey of the NPL

• Asset Quality recognition is something of a black art with varied definitions for non-performing loans (“NPLs”).
• Firstly, we analyse what a NPL is.
• We then evaluate provisioning changes across Asia. We rank countries.
• We further analyse specific underlying NPL recognition issues in China.
• We then rank a sample of regional banks and countries by NPL recognition.
• Later, we take a look at how different systems come under NPL stress and how they cope often in a crisis environment.
• Finally, we wrap things up with some concluding insights about the cultural backdrop which defines systemic asset quality.

4. PLANB: Moving Forward with VGI, the Outdoor Media Tycoon

We maintain PLANB with a BUY rating with the target price of Bt8.30 derived from 1.5xPEG’2019E of Thai consumer discretionary sector, which implies to 36xPE’19E.

The story:

• Collaboration among the leaders in OOH industry
• Revising down EPS in 2019-21E by 9-11% due to dilution effect

Risks: Obstacles for renewing concession contracts with state-owned enterprises along with falling consumer spending and a share-price dilution effect on the back of then generally mandated raise in capital.

5. China’s New Semiconductor Thrust – Part 2: Commodities as a Quick Path to Success

China’s current efforts to gain prominence in the semiconductor market targets memory chips – large commodities.  This three-part series of insights examines how China determined its strategy and explains which companies are the most threatened by it.

This second part of the series explains how China chose commodity semiconductors (DRAM and NAND flash memory chips) as the best technology to pursue.

In this briefing:

1. TTW: Cut 2019-2023 Earnings on the Rise of Depreciation Expenses
2. Snippets #20: Dark Clouds in Thai Equities

1. TTW: Cut 2019-2023 Earnings on the Rise of Depreciation Expenses

We maintain our positive view toward its long-term outlook on the backs of potential growth from its location and secured contract with government agency. Maintain a BUY rating with a new target price of Bt16.8 (SOTP).

The story:

• We cut our 2019-2021 earnings forecast by 12-13% to factor in rising depreciation expenses caused by its shortening depreciated years of PTW’s assets.
• Our new target price of Bt16.8 is derived from Some-of-the-parts (SOTP) which comprises (1) Bt13.8 from core business (tap water supply under both TTW and PTW) based on DCF(6.7%WACC, 0%TG) and (2) Bt3.0 from CKP based on IFA report.

2. Snippets #20: Dark Clouds in Thai Equities

Of the five interesting trends/events/developments we heard this month, we highlighted five and how they could impact Thai equities in the near term:

• Thai Raksa Chart Party dissolution. The dissolution of the TRC, the second largest Thaksinite party, poses some political risks but could affect sentiments for companies founded by Thaksin, such as Intuch and AIS.
• Thai Air Asia says no to Nok Air. After the briefest considerations, the larger airline came to the conclusion that they wouldn’t acquire a stake in struggling Nok Air.
• Capital Gains Taxes are currently under consideration by the government for the first time. If implemented, they are likely to have negative impact on overall equities but the brokers in particular.
• From LINE to BEC. LINE (Thailand)’s Country Manager Ariya Phanomyong has agreed to move to BEC. Though mildly positive, we believe improvements will revolve around distribution rather than the more key issue of content.
• True Move’s Request for 5G delay may sound odd at first glance, but we see it as a rational, if not very tactful, way of delaying a new round of capex.

In this briefing:

1. CHG: Short-Term Cost Pressures Create an Opportunity to Invest
2. Asian Bank Asset Quality: “One Overdue, Two Bad” 一逾两呆 The Complex Journey of the NPL
3. PLANB: Moving Forward with VGI, the Outdoor Media Tycoon
4. China’s New Semiconductor Thrust – Part 2: Commodities as a Quick Path to Success
5. GEM Active Funds:  Big Q1 Outperformance

1. CHG: Short-Term Cost Pressures Create an Opportunity to Invest

We initiate coverage of CHG with a BUY rating and a 2019E target price of Bt2.53, derived from a discounted cash flow valuation (WACC of 6.2% and terminal growth of 2.0%). This is equivalent to 44.5 PE’19E, which is near its five-year trading average of 43.7x.

The story:

• Competitive player in a key strategic location
• Pressures from launch of new greenfield hospitals should be short term
• Recent share price retreat opens an investment opportunity
• Expected flat earnings in 2019E and growth at a 19% CAGR in 2020-21E

Risks:     Medical personnel shortage

                Litigation for medical services

                Change in social security policy

2. Asian Bank Asset Quality: “One Overdue, Two Bad” 一逾两呆 The Complex Journey of the NPL

• Asset Quality recognition is something of a black art with varied definitions for non-performing loans (“NPLs”).
• Firstly, we analyse what a NPL is.
• We then evaluate provisioning changes across Asia. We rank countries.
• We further analyse specific underlying NPL recognition issues in China.
• We then rank a sample of regional banks and countries by NPL recognition.
• Later, we take a look at how different systems come under NPL stress and how they cope often in a crisis environment.
• Finally, we wrap things up with some concluding insights about the cultural backdrop which defines systemic asset quality.

3. PLANB: Moving Forward with VGI, the Outdoor Media Tycoon

We maintain PLANB with a BUY rating with the target price of Bt8.30 derived from 1.5xPEG’2019E of Thai consumer discretionary sector, which implies to 36xPE’19E.

The story:

• Collaboration among the leaders in OOH industry
• Revising down EPS in 2019-21E by 9-11% due to dilution effect

Risks: Obstacles for renewing concession contracts with state-owned enterprises along with falling consumer spending and a share-price dilution effect on the back of then generally mandated raise in capital.

4. China’s New Semiconductor Thrust – Part 2: Commodities as a Quick Path to Success

China’s current efforts to gain prominence in the semiconductor market targets memory chips – large commodities.  This three-part series of insights examines how China determined its strategy and explains which companies are the most threatened by it.

This second part of the series explains how China chose commodity semiconductors (DRAM and NAND flash memory chips) as the best technology to pursue.

5. GEM Active Funds:  Big Q1 Outperformance

Global Emerging Market funds made a strong start to 2019, with just over two-thirds of funds outperforming the benchmark, generating an average alpha above the IShares MSCI Emerging Markets Indx (ETF) (EEM US) of 1.3%.

In this report, we look at the performance of 180 global emerging market strategies over the first quarter of 2019 and analyse the countries, sectors and stocks that helped generate that outperformance.  We also take a look at the longer-dated outperformance of active GEM funds.

In this briefing:

1. Asian Bank Asset Quality: “One Overdue, Two Bad” 一逾两呆 The Complex Journey of the NPL
2. PLANB: Moving Forward with VGI, the Outdoor Media Tycoon
3. China’s New Semiconductor Thrust – Part 2: Commodities as a Quick Path to Success
4. GEM Active Funds:  Big Q1 Outperformance
5. The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma – Jakarta’s MRT, Indonesian Sportswear, and Malaysian Telcos

1. Asian Bank Asset Quality: “One Overdue, Two Bad” 一逾两呆 The Complex Journey of the NPL

• Asset Quality recognition is something of a black art with varied definitions for non-performing loans (“NPLs”).
• Firstly, we analyse what a NPL is.
• We then evaluate provisioning changes across Asia. We rank countries.
• We further analyse specific underlying NPL recognition issues in China.
• We then rank a sample of regional banks and countries by NPL recognition.
• Later, we take a look at how different systems come under NPL stress and how they cope often in a crisis environment.
• Finally, we wrap things up with some concluding insights about the cultural backdrop which defines systemic asset quality.

2. PLANB: Moving Forward with VGI, the Outdoor Media Tycoon

We maintain PLANB with a BUY rating with the target price of Bt8.30 derived from 1.5xPEG’2019E of Thai consumer discretionary sector, which implies to 36xPE’19E.

The story:

• Collaboration among the leaders in OOH industry
• Revising down EPS in 2019-21E by 9-11% due to dilution effect

Risks: Obstacles for renewing concession contracts with state-owned enterprises along with falling consumer spending and a share-price dilution effect on the back of then generally mandated raise in capital.

3. China’s New Semiconductor Thrust – Part 2: Commodities as a Quick Path to Success

China’s current efforts to gain prominence in the semiconductor market targets memory chips – large commodities.  This three-part series of insights examines how China determined its strategy and explains which companies are the most threatened by it.

This second part of the series explains how China chose commodity semiconductors (DRAM and NAND flash memory chips) as the best technology to pursue.

4. GEM Active Funds:  Big Q1 Outperformance

Global Emerging Market funds made a strong start to 2019, with just over two-thirds of funds outperforming the benchmark, generating an average alpha above the IShares MSCI Emerging Markets Indx (ETF) (EEM US) of 1.3%.

In this report, we look at the performance of 180 global emerging market strategies over the first quarter of 2019 and analyse the countries, sectors and stocks that helped generate that outperformance.  We also take a look at the longer-dated outperformance of active GEM funds.

5. The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma – Jakarta’s MRT, Indonesian Sportswear, and Malaysian Telcos

Macro Insights

In Widodo Withstands Prabowo’s Debate Pressure / BI Hints at Lower 1Q CAD / Gerindra Prepares Dispute, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Kevin O’Rourke comments on the most important political and economic developments in Indonesia over the past week. 

In his global Insight, What Next in the Inflation / Deflation Debate and What Does It Mean for Asset Prices? Stewart Paterson takes a look at this very current subject of debate globally.

Equity Bottom-Up Insights

In Map Aktif Follow-On Offering – Lace up for a Potential Long Run, Zhen Zhou, Toh runs through the latest details on the proposed follow-on offering for this Indonesian sports retailer. 

Sector and Thematic Insights

In the first part in a series of Insights, Quiddity Singapore M&A Guide 2019, Travis Lundy kicks off by taking a look at Singapore from an M&A perspective.

In Company Visits: The Best of March 2019, Thai Guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA lays out his thoughts on the most interesting company visits he made in the month of March, including Singapore International School of Bangkok (SISB TB), Minor International (MINT TB), and After You Pcl (AU TB) . 

In Malaysian Telcos: Look for Improvements to Continue in 2019, our friends at New Street Research revisit the Malaysian Telecoms sector post the recent results. 

In Singapore Property – Luxury Segment Leads Price Decline in 1Q; Property Outlook Remains Shaky, Royston Foo revisits the Singapore Property after analysing 1Q19 numbers. 

In Singapore REIT – The Draft Master Plan 2019 Boost and Q1 Scorecard, Anni Kum takes a bird’s eye view of the Singapore REIT space after 1Q19 numbers.