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Singtel - OCBC Investment 2018-05-18: Keep Calm And Collect Dividends

Singtel - OCBC Investment 2018-05-18: Keep Calm And Collect Dividends SINGTEL SGX: Z74

Singtel - Keep Calm And Collect Dividends

  • Core FY18 largely in-line.
  • Weaker contributions from associates.
  • FY18 final dividend of 10.7 S-cents.



Core FY18 met 96% of our FY18 estimate

  • Singtel’s FY18 operating revenue grew 4.9% to S$17.5b, largely driven by the Australia Consumer (+3.9%) and Group Digital Life (+100.4%) segments.
  • On weaker EBITDA margin at the Enterprise segment due to higher ICT sales mix, FY18 EBITDA grew by a lower 1.8% to S$5.09b, which is in-line with our expectations as it met 100% of our FY18 forecast. However, share of associates’ pre-tax profits fell 14.7% to S$2.46b.
  • In addition to adverse currency movements, associates’ contributions were mainly impacted by:
    1. Airtel (-60%) due to steep cut in mobile termination rates and disruptive price competition in India,
    2. NetLink NBN Trust (-49%) on reduced stake, as well as
    3. Telkomsel (-3%) on heightened price competition in Indonesia coupled with higher operating costs.
  • Consequently, FY18 core NPAT (excluding divestment gain) fell 8.4% to S$3.54b.


Unexciting outlook guidance

  • Looking ahead to FY19, Singtel expects the group’s consolidated revenue to grow by low single digit and EBITDA to be stable.
    • Operating revenue in the core business is expected to grow by low single digit while EBITDA is likely to remain stable.
    • Mobile service revenue from Singapore is expected to decline by mid-single digit level but is expected to grow by low single digit in Australia.
    • Group ICT revenue is expected to increase by mid-single digit, which includes cyber security revenue that is expected to grow by low-teens.
    • Operating revenue at Amobee Group is expected to grow by mid-teens and EBITDA is projected to increase.
  • Capex on an accrual basis and cash basis is expected to both be lower at ~S$2.2b.
  • Finally, group free cash flow is guided to be ~S$1.9b, and dividends from regional associates are expected to be around S$1.4b.


Stable dividend outlook

  • Singtel also guided for dividends to be maintained at 17.5 S-cents for FY19 and FY20, and thereafter revert to payout ratio of 60%-75% of its underlying net profit. 
  • As we factor in Singtel’s guidance and for further dilution of Enterprise blended margin as ICT sales mix grows, we lower our Fair Value to S$4.10 (prev: S$4.15).
  • We remain positive on Singtel’s longer- term outlook for its growing exposure in digital-related businesses, and entrenched position in the regional mobile markets.





Eugune Chua OCBC Investment | https://www.iocbc.com/ 2018-05-18
SGX Stock Analyst Report BUY Maintain BUY 4.10 Down 4.150



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