Sembcorp Industries Ltd - Phillip Securities 2018-08-07: India Operation Turned Around

SEMBCORP INDUSTRIES LTD SGX:U96

Sembcorp Industries Ltd - India Operation Turned Around

Sembcorp Industries’ 2Q18 revenue and net profit met our expectation.
Utilities in both Singapore and China delivered healthy performance. And India turned profitable, but some operational issues remain.
Marine segment still dragged the group improvement.
We lowered our FY18e EPS from 18.9 SG cents to 17.7 SG cents, due to prolonged weak profitability from Sembcorp Marine. After incorporating a lower target price of S$1.78 for Sembcorp Marine, based on sum-of-the-parts method, we maintain our call to BUY with a lower target price of S$3.70 (previously S$3.83).

In 2Q18, net profit from Singapore was S$43.3mn (+ 4.3% y-o-y). However, higher high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) price and intense market competition extended into 2Q18. This year they have secured 94MW of solar power capacity and become the second largest renewable energy player in Singapore.
Meanwhile, the group reinforced the position of a leading gas player in Singapore they are first imported LNG cargo on a spot basis.

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In 2Q18, net profit from China arrived at S$15.1mn (+65.9% y-o-y) due mainly to the contribution of the Changzhi water treatment plant and higher spark spread from SongZao thermal power plant.

In 2Q18, net income from India came in at S$39.4mn (2Q17: S$-3.2mn). The turnaround of performance in 2Q18 was due mainly to the high wind season and lower loan balance and the interest rate charged for Utilities’ India operations.
It is worth noting that SGPL is subject to short-term power purchase agreements, but the average power selling price has been higher.

Thermal coal prices imported from the overseas market are higher than the domestic market. The major source of coal supply to TPCIL and SGPL is still imported coal. Hence, the spark spread is compressed.
Meanwhile, the group is also concerned about collecting from their power purchaser receivables. Management mentioned that they would continue to optimise the cash conversion cycle.

Sembcorp Marine (SMM) reported net losses of S$55.6mn. The net order book continues to decline (1H18: S$7.2bn vs FY17: S$8.4bn). Work volume will remain low, and margins are compressed. Operating losses expected for the rest of the current financial year.

Through the recent acquisitions and investments in Utilities segment, we can see that it is expanding the renewable and clean energy businesses. We expect profit contributions from the recent acquired company, UK Power Reserve, in FY19.
On the other hand, we also look forward to the higher profit contributions from Utilities’ India operation moving forward since the domestic market conditions and financial position are improving. Management is sticking to their plan to support Sembcorp Marine (SMM) through the cycle which is expected to be longer than expected. Therefore, the improvement of group performance as a whole will slow down.
We lowered our FY18e EPS from 18.9 SG cents to 17.7 SG cents, due to prolonged weak profitability from Sembcorp Marine (SMM). After incorporating a lower target price of S$1.78 for SMM, based on sum-of-the-parts method, we maintain our call to BUY with a lower target price of S$3.70 (previously S$3.83).

Chen Guangzhi Phillip Securities Research | https://www.stocksbnb.com/ 2018-08-07

SGX Stock Analyst Report BUY Maintain BUY 3.70 Down 3.830