In this briefing:
- This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: Revisiting LINE’s Crypto Plans
- GrainCorp (GNC AU): Pressure Mounts, Diminishing the Prospects of a Bump to the LTAP Bid
- LG Uplus: Risks Now Largely Priced In. Raise to Neutral on CJ Hello Deal Synergies
- MAJOR: Impressive 4Q18 Earnings
1. This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: Revisiting LINE’s Crypto Plans
LINE Corp (3938 JP) is one of the top Japanese names in our “Watchlist” of listed companies in Japan and South Korea that are adopting blockchain technologies or have exposure to cryptocurrencies.
Since being added to the “Watchlist” in May last year (2018), LINE has launched a cryptocurrency, a cryptocurrency exchange, and a blockchain venture fund. In this note, we revisit LINE’s blockchain and cryptocurrency plans.
In our opinion, potential synergies between LINE’s cryptocurrency business and its other business ventures are quite enticing. LINE could very well lure “millions” of its existing messaging and LINE Pay users to be a part of its blockchain eco-system.
2. GrainCorp (GNC AU): Pressure Mounts, Diminishing the Prospects of a Bump to the LTAP Bid
Frustration on the slow progress of the LTAP bid came to a head at the recent AGM, where shareholders registered what appeared to be protest votes aimed at Graincorp Ltd A (GNC AU)’s director elections and remuneration. The Board has currently three options to unlock shareholder value – achieve a binding LTAP bid, commence the portfolio review driven sale process or adopt the Tanarra Capital proposal.
The option with the highest potential to unlock shareholder value remains the LTAP bid. However, the Board’s dithering and pursual of unattractive alternative options have given LTAP more justification to lower than bump its bid, in our view.
3. LG Uplus: Risks Now Largely Priced In. Raise to Neutral on CJ Hello Deal Synergies
LG Uplus (032640 KS) shares have fallen around 20% from the highs of January when the market was excited by 5G. That always seemed overly optimistic given the lack of viable business cases and unknown investment requirements and we were comfortable with our Sell rating from mid October and KRW15,000 target price. Following weak results, an easing of 5G enthusiasm and the recently announced CJ Hello (037560 KS) deal the share price has fallen to around the KRW15,000. Alastair Jones now thinks a lot of bad news is in the price and the available synergies from CJ Hello offset a weaker earnings outlook.
4. MAJOR: Impressive 4Q18 Earnings
MAJOR 4Q18 net profit was Bt259m (+247%YoY, +26%QoQ). The impressive earnings was driven by solid guests admission (+97%YoY).
- 4Q18 revenue was Bt3.0bn (+59%YoY, +44% QoQ). Interesting movies lineup was the factor, pushing admission revenue (+88%YoY) and concession revenue (+70%YoY).
- Gross profit margin was strong at 37.6% from 28.7% in 4Q17 and 30.8% in 3Q18, thank to the higher contribution of concession revenue, which has decent margin.
- SG&A to sales was under control at 27.0%, compared to 34.3% in 4Q17 and 26.7% in 3Q18.
We maintain a BUY rating on MAJOR with 2019E target price of Bt31.00, derived from a PER of 24.2x, which is +1 SD of its 3-year trading average. We expect MAJOR to continuously deliver robust earnings in 2019E, given the fascinating movies lineup and advertising sales model changing from direct selling to selling through agencies.
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