COMFORTDELGRO CORPORATION LTD (SGX:C52)
ComfortDelGro - Still Riding On Robust Public Transport Ahead
- ComfortDelGro's 1Q19 net profit rose 6.2% y-o-y to S$70m, on-par with consensus but slightly below our expectations. Overseas taxi segment in China seen as a drag.
- We trim our FY19-21F EPS forecasts by 0.6%-1.7% on weakness in the taxi segment, while public transport services will support overall growth outlook.
- Maintain ADD with lower Target Price of S$2.82.
Generally decent results, offset by weaker taxi segment
- COMFORTDELGRO CORPORATION LTD (SGX:C52) reported a net profit of S$70.4m which gained 6.2% y-o-y on the back of 7.8% growth in revenue for the quarter.
- Growth was mainly led by robust gains in the public transport segment, with new acquisitions contributing S$5.4m or 46.2% of the increase in operating profit.
- ComfortDelGro's 1Q19 operating profit margin improved slightly to 11.3% from 10.9% in 1Q18.
Public transport services continue to drive growth ahead
- The business generated a strong 30.4% growth in operating profit at $55m in 1Q19, lifted by income from two bus packages that commenced last year as well as contributions from acquisitions made last year. The segment also benefited from increasing rail revenue following a 4.3% fare adjustment effective Dec 18 and higher ridership across all 3 rail lines – DTL, NEL and LRT.
- Looking ahead, ComfortDelGro is maintaining a positive revenue growth outlook in the segment across both Singapore and Australia businesses.
Putting greater focus on integration within Australia bus business
- Management is likely to put more effort into integrating the acquired entities within the Australian bus business from here on, thus the size of acquisitions ahead is not likely to supersede the S$470m amount in FY18, in our view.
- YTD, ComfortDelGro has so far made a A$28.3m acquisition for B&E Blanch. Nonetheless, we expect the Australia business to continue to deliver growth on the back of full-year contributions from new acquisitions.
Taxi weaker than expected due to declining overseas contributions
- Taxi operating profit was down 6.3% to S$28m as a result of weaker overseas segments in China and the U.K. Management cited challenges in China which included attracting more two-shift drivers.
- Over in Singapore, taxi operating profit was apparently stable, supported by on-going replacement of older models to newer hybrid taxis that fetch higher daily rents to offset the continuous decline in operating fleet size. Idle rate was raised to 3.7% as at end-Mar 19 amid keen competition from ride-hailing firms for drivers.
Maintain ADD with lower Target Price of S$2.82
- We trim our FY19-21F EPS forecasts by 0.6-1.7%, resulting in a lower DCF-derived Target Price of S$2.82 (WACC: 7.6%; LTG: 2%). Our Target Price implies 18x FY20F P/E.
- ComfortDelGro is currently at 16.4x FY20F P/E, along with 4.6% dividend yield. See ComfortDelGro's dividend history.
- Key re-rating catalysts could come from affirmed growth in taxi earnings and further clarity on new regulatory framework governing taxi and ride-hailing firms.
- Downside risks include intensifying competition in its taxi business.
Colin TAN
CGS-CIMB Research
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Cezzane SEE
CGS-CIMB Research
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https://research.itradecimb.com/
2019-05-14
SGX Stock
Analyst Report
2.82
DOWN
2.880
