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Japfa Ltd - CIMB Research 2017-01-23: Capitalising on Asia’s growing consumption

Japfa Ltd - CIMB Research 2017-01-23: Capitalising on Asia’s growing consumption JAPFA LTD. UD2.SI

Japfa Ltd - Capitalising on Asia’s growing consumption

  • We initiate coverage on Japfa with an Add rating and SOP-based TP of S$1.53 (implied 11.6x CY17F P/E), representing 66% upside potential over current price.
  • Japfa is among the top two industrial agri-food companies in most of its markets and its profitability has improved following a recovery in selling prices over the past year.
  • On a macro level, we like Japfa as a long-term play on emerging markets’ GDP growth and rising middle class population.
  • We forecast 27% EPS CAGR over FY15-18F, driven by its 
    1. stable feed business, 
    2. now profitable breeding and farming segments, and 
    3. strong dairy operations.
  • Upside earnings surprise could come from the dairy segment.


Proxy for a rising middle-class in Asia’s most populous countries 

  • Japfa is an industrial agri-food company involved in the entire animal protein value chain with an exposure to emerging Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, India and China).
  • The company is in a unique position as it operates in markets where meat consumption and/or incomes are still at very low levels and significantly below the global average.
  • Hence, we like Japfa as a play that is poised to capitalise on the growing consumption and rising income in Asia’s most populous countries, in our view.


Core feed business provides stable profitability 

  • We especially like Japfa’s stable feed business (c.2/3 of group OP), which we think is under-appreciated. Specifically, its feed business provides a base level of profits and is “margin-proof”. Feed OP margins (OPM) have remained within a tight band of 10-12% over FY13-15 even as IDR/US$ swung unfavourably. 
  • Going forward, we expect a sustainable feed OPM within the 10-13% range.


Improved DOC and broiler prices are the swing factor 

  • Concerns of an industry oversupply and weak day old chick (DOC) and broiler (i.e. live bird) prices, that were previously a drag on the group’s earnings, no longer pose a threat, in our view. 
  • Following the government-initiated culling programme late-2015, overall livestock supply has been reduced 10-15%, adding balance to the demand and supply situation. 
  • Both the breeding and farming segments have, therefore, returned to profitability and we remain constructive on DOC and broiler prices in FY17F.


Strong dairy operations could spring upside surprise 

  • We believe the dark horse of the group could be its dairy segment in China (c.10% of group profit). This segment is doing well operationally: 
    1. Japfa leads the industry in milk yields (c.80% higher than industry mean); 
    2. sales volumes were up 23% in 9M16; and 
    3. expansion plans are on track, which should increase capacity by c.15% by FY18F.
  • The only mitigating factor is a weak raw milk price environment, but we see this segment driving earnings growth for the group upon a milk price recovery.


Initiate with Add and TP of S$1.53 





Jonathan SEOW CIMB Research | http://research.itradecimb.com/ 2017-01-23
CIMB Research SGX Stock Analyst Report ADD Initiate ADD 1.53 Same 1.53



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