Singapore Exchange (SGX SP) - DBS Research 2017-04-21: Softer 3QFY17 Earnings

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE LIMITED S68.SI

Singapore Exchange (SGX SP) - Softer 3QFY17 earnings

3QFY17 earnings within expectations excluding loss from stake disposal of Bombay Stock Exchange.
Cost discipline well maintained; expenses were 3% lower y-o-y.
5-Sct DPS base dividend declared.

SGX reported 3QFY17 net profit of S$83m (-7% y-o-y; -6% q-o-q). Excluding losses from the stake sale of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) of S$3.9m, 3Q17 earnings would have still been slightly lower y-o-y and q-o-q. Total revenues were slightly lower y-o-y but marginally higher on a q-o-q basis.
Evidently, derivatives revenues continued to slide y-o-y due to softer trading volumes from the China A50 contracts. SGX’s 9M17 earnings were 72% of our fullyear forecasts.
A dividend per share of 5 Scts was declared as expected.

The Equities and Fixed Income segment, which comprises Issuer Services, Securities Trading & Clearing and Post Trade Services, were flattish q-o-q. Securities daily average traded value (SDAV) was only 1% higher y-o-y at S$1.24bn.
Average clearing fees declined due to more lower-yielding structured warrants traded. An additional S$1.5m revenue was recognised from the Baltic Exchange during the quarter.
Securities made up 27% of total revenue, up from 26% in 2Q FY2016.
Derivatives revenue declined 9% y-o-y, accounting for 37% of total revenue for 3QFY17, vs 40% a year ago. However, average fee per contract rose to S$1.20 from S$1.15 y-o-y, primarily due to changes in the mix of derivatives contracts traded.

Expenses have been rising sequentially q-o-q albeit lower compared to a year ago. SGX remains focused on cost discipline, and operating expenses for FY2017 are expected to be between S$405m and S$415m, possibly at the lower end of this range. There might be a slight increase in expenses in the upcoming 4QFY17 which are seasonal in nature.
Other expenses are largely related to new hires, technology expenses and possibly higher processing and royalty fees (which could result in higher derivatives revenues).

We made no changes to our earnings. We continue to expect a better trading environment on improving market activity and cyclical upturn in the Singapore economy.
Our target price of S$8.30 is based on the dividend discount model. Dividend yield of about 4% for FY2017 is attractive.
Maintain BUY.

Lee Keng LING DBS Vickers | Sue Lin LIM DBS Vickers | http://www.dbsvickers.com/ 2017-04-21

DBS Vickers SGX Stock Analyst Report BUY Maintain BUY 8.300 Same 8.300