Daily Industrials: Larsen & Toubro (LT IN): Slowdown in New Orders Is Risk for 3Q, Markets Can’t Ignore It for Long and more

In this briefing:

1. Larsen & Toubro (LT IN): Slowdown in New Orders Is Risk for 3Q, Markets Can’t Ignore It for Long
2. Swaraj Engines: Positive Outlook But Growth Is Slowing and Valuation Is Rich
3. Harbin Electric: The Price Is Not Right
4. ICT (ICT PM): Beneficiary of Higher Trading Activity
5. Chunbo Co. IPO Preview

1. Larsen & Toubro (LT IN): Slowdown in New Orders Is Risk for 3Q, Markets Can’t Ignore It for Long

Larsen & Toubro (LT IN) has reported the new orders worth only Rs95 bn after 2Q FY19 results (reported on 31st October 2018). This is much lower run rate as compared to 2Q FY19 (Rs419 bn) or 1H FY19 (Rs781 bn). All these orders by Larsen & Toubro (LT IN) have been received from construction segment where margins are relatively poor e.g. the construction and infrastructure segment of Larsen & Toubro (LT IN) in 2H FY19 has reported 6.8% EBITDA margin, much lower than 11.8% for the company on an overall basis.

Unless new orders pick up in next few weeks, there is a strong likelihood that there could be a negative surprise in 3Q results on order inflow for Larsen & Toubro (LT IN) . This is despite the fact that overall number reported for a quarter for order inflow is a bit higher than the sum of individual orders announced and reported by the company. While the market has not noticed decline in new orders so far and may have been still hopeful about a recovery in order wins, it is highly unlikely that this will continue to get ignored by investors if the trend doesn’t change and get better in next couple of weeks.

2. Swaraj Engines: Positive Outlook But Growth Is Slowing and Valuation Is Rich

Swaraj Engines (SWE IN) (SEL)is primarily manufacturing diesel engines for fitment into Swaraj tractors manufactured by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M). The Company is also supplying engine components to SML Isuzu Ltd used in the assembly of commercial vehicle engines. SEL was started as a joint venture between Punjab Tractor Ltd (now acquired by M&M Ltd) and Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. M&M holds 33.3% stake in SEL and is its key client.  

We are positive about the business because:

• SEL’s growth is correlated with M&M’s tractor business growth. SEL supplies engines to the Swaraj division of M&M. M&M expects tractor growth to be around 12% YoY in FY19E. We forecast SEL’s tractor engine volumes will grow at a CAGR of 12% for FY18-21E.
• The growth of the company is dependent on the monsoon and rural sentiments. We expect the profitability to improve with normal rainfall and government initiatives towards the rural sector. We expect the revenue/ EBITDA/ PAT CAGR for FY18-21E to be 14%/ 15%/ 14% respectively.
• SEL is debt free and a cash generating company. It has a healthy and stable ROCE and ROE. SEL has increased its capacity from 75,000 engines in FY16 to 120,000 engines in FY18. We expect the capacity utilisation to reach 97% by FY20E from 90% in 1HFY19. SEL funds its capex through internal accruals. We forecast a capex of Rs 600 mn for FY19E to FY21E considering the requirement of the additional capacity, R&D and testing costs for new and higher HP engines & for upgradation of engines according to the TREM IV emission norms for >50 HP engines.

We initiate coverage on SEL with a fair value objective of Rs 1,655/- over the next 12 months. This represents a potential upside of 15% from the closing price of Rs 1,435/- (as on 26-12-2018). We arrive at the fair value by applying PE multiple of 18x to EPS of Rs 87/- to the year ending December-20E and add cash of Rs 82/- per share. While the business outlook is good, we think the upside in the share price is limited due to rich valuation.

3. Harbin Electric: The Price Is Not Right

As speculated in Harbin Electric Expected To Be Privatised, Harbin Electric Co Ltd H (1133 HK) has now announced a privatisation Offer from parent and 60.41%-shareholder Harbin Electric Corporation (“HEC”) by way of a merger by absorption. 

The Offer price of $4.56/share, an 82.4% premium to last close, has been declared final. The price corresponds to the subscription of 329mn domestic shares (~47.16% of the existing issued domestic shares and ~24.02% of the existing total issued shares) @$4.56/share by HEC in January this year. 

Of greater significance, the Offer price is a 37% discount to HE’s net cash of $7.27/share as at 30 June 2018. Should the privatisation be successful, this Offer will cost HEC ~HK$3.08bn, following which it can pocket the remaining net cash of $9.3bn PLUS the power generation equipment manufacturer business thrown in for free.

On pricing, “fair” to me would be something like the distribution of net cash to zero then taking over the company on a PER with respect to peers. That is not happening. It will be difficult to see how independent directors can justify recommending an Offer to shareholders at any price which gave cash less cavalier than cash.

Dissension rights are available, however, what constitutes a “fair price” under those rights, and the timing of the settlement under such rights, are not evident. 

As all PRC approvals have been obtained, this transaction may complete earlier than prior mergers by absorption, which have taken 6-8 months from the initial announcement.

4. ICT (ICT PM): Beneficiary of Higher Trading Activity

• Low downside risk, low correlation with Western stock markets, and good price momentum relative to its sector
• Growing demand from emerging markets as seen by increase in trading activities e.g. Asia sales increased 10% YoY in 3Q18
• Planned terminal expansions in Manila, Mexico, Iraq, and Honduras are underway and should provide about 7% capacity growth by end 2019
• Trades below ASEAN Transportation at 19CE* 17.1x PE and offers much better EPS growth
• Risk: Foreign exchange risk, disruption from US-China trade war

* Consensus Estimates

5. Chunbo Co. IPO Preview

• Chunbo Co Ltd (278280 KS) is a provider of fine chemical materials in Korea, and it is expected to complete its IPO in January 2019. Its chemical materials are used in numerous industries including the display, semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, and pharmaceutical. 
• The bankers used nine comparable companies, including Sk Materials (036490 KS), Foosung Co Ltd (093370 KS), and Iljin Materials (020150 KS), to value Chunbo Co Ltd (278280 KS). The bankers used the annualized net profit of these companies from 1Q-3Q18 in their valuation analysis. The average P/E multiple of the comps were 25.3x. The bankers then applied Chunbo’s annualized net profit of 19.8 billion won from 1Q18 to 3Q18 and applied the P/E multiple of 25.3x to derive an implied market cap of 501.3 billion won. After applying an IPO discount of 20.2% to 30.2%, the bankers derived an IPO range of 35,000 to 40,000 won. 
• The company has a consistent record of generating solid growth in sales and profits in the past few years. The company’s sales increased 18.4% CAGR from 2014 to 2017. Its operating margin averaged 21% from 2014 to 3Q18.