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HRnetGroup Limited - CGS-CIMB Research 2019-06-13: Diversification Amid Economic Uncertainty

HRNETGROUP LIMITED (SGX:CHZ) | SGinvestors.io HRNETGROUP LIMITED (SGX:CHZ)

HRnetGroup Limited - Diversification Amid Economic Uncertainty

  • HRnetGroup's 1Q19 core earnings decline was a result of cautious hiring and exit of startups in Singapore, partially offset by stronger performance from North Asia.
  • We expect new overseas offices and greater penetration into public sector/ healthcare jobs to drive potential 3Q19F earnings recovery.
  • Maintain ADD on lower EPS and Target Price; supported by 7.4x ex-cash CY20F P/E.



Employment survey suggests stable outlook in Singapore

  • In a recent Manpower Group survey of over 59k employers globally, Singapore recorded 3Q19 net employment outlook of +12% (relatively stable y-o-y and q-o-q), ranking 14th out of the 44 countries. Among the seven sectors in Singapore, public admin & education has the strongest hiring intentions at 22% (5%-pt q-o-q and 6%-pt y-o-y improvement), followed by services (+18%) and transportation & utilities (+10%).


Overseas presence as the new growth engine

  • Cautious hiring in Singapore led to 1Q19 gross profit declining S$2.4m (-11.6% y-o-y), though partially mitigated by higher professional recruitment in North Asia (+S$1.3m).
  • While HRNETGROUP LIMITED (SGX:CHZ) continues to face softer demand from some multinational clients in China, it is actively pursuing new domestic customers, which could contribute more meaningfully from 3Q19F.
  • We are also positive on its new overseas offices which have started to gain traction e.g. REForce, Career Personnel in Hong Kong, RecruitFirst in Shanghai and HK.


Expect stronger pick-up from 3Q19F

  • HRnetGroup posted 1Q19 topline decline in both professional recruitment (-1.5% y-o-y) and flexible staffing (-4.1% y-o-y). We expect flexible staffing to remain under pressure in 2Q19F due to the exit of some start-ups in Singapore; recovery in professional recruitment could be more visible from 3Q19F as HRnetGroup secures more public sector jobs in Singapore.
  • 1Q19 headline PATMI of S$19.3m (+18.5% y-o-y) was boosted by S$5.6m Fair Value gain on financial assets, which could see a reversal in 2Q19F. There will also be zero government subsidies in 2Q19F (1Q19: S$4.5m, 2Q18: S$0.5m).


Increasing defensive angle to hiring business

  • In May 2019, HRnetGroup bought a 7.85% stake of Bamboos Healthcare Holdings (2293 HK, Not rated), a fast-growing healthcare staffing solutions provider for clients like hospitals and social service organisations, with a portfolio of c.20k healthcare professionals in HK.
  • While healthcare life science sector accounted for c.10% of HRnetGroup’s revenue in FY17-18, Bamboos is not an existing customer and we see potential for further collaboration.


Maintain ADD, supported by strong net cash and 3-4% yield

  • We cut our Target Price of S$1.01, still pegged to 18x CY20F P/E.
  • Downside risks to our call are global economic slowdown and poor overseas execution.
  • Earnings-accretive M&As could re-rate the stock.





NGOH Yi Sin CGS-CIMB Research | https://research.itradecimb.com/ 2019-06-13
SGX Stock Analyst Report ADD MAINTAIN ADD 1.01 DOWN 1.030



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