Wilmar International 3Q21 Earnings Preview - UOB Kay Hian 2021-10-21: Better Contributions From Up-Midstream Operations

WILMAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (SGX:F34)

Wilmar International 3Q21 Earnings Preview - Better Contributions From Up-Midstream Operations

Wilmar International is scheduled to release its 3Q21 financial summary on 29 Oct 21. We are expecting a core net profit of US$450m-480m. Better performance is expected to come from plantation & sugar mills and feed & industrial products to offset the weaker margins of consumer products. Its 3Q21 performance is expected to be driven by higher ASP for CPO and sugar, and better soybean crushing margin in China.

Wilmar International (SGX:F34) is scheduled to release its Executive Financial Summary for 3Q21 after trading hours on 29 Oct 21. We are expecting a core net profit of US$450m-480m for 3Q21 (vs 2Q21: US$309m, 3Q20: US$500m), which is better q-o-q with better contribution from the recovery of China’s soybean crushing operation and also better consumer pack sales.
While sugar contributions are usually higher in 2H when sugar milling season starts. Tropical oil will be again the star performer with greater volume and better margins from its timely purchase of raw materials.
Based on our estimates, Wilmar International’s 3Q21 core net profit is likely to be lower y-o-y given that 3Q20 was an exceptionally strong quarter.

Soybean crush volume improved in 3Q21 with higher demand for soymeal. Recall that sales volume for soybean meal (SBM) was lower in 1H21 as usage of SBM in the mixed animal feeds was lower as wheat meal replaced corn meal as wheat price was much cheaper than corn. As corn price weakened while wheat price strengthened, corn regained its share in animal feed formula, which also translated into better SBM sales volume.
To recap, if wheat meal is used in animal feeds, less SBM will be used in animal feeds because wheat meal contains higher protein than corn. SBM is mainly used in animal feed as a source of protein.

This division is likely to post stellar performance driven by high ASP for both CPO (ytd: +36% y-o-y) and raw sugar (ytd: +23% y-o-y) despite flat to marginal growth in sales volumes. We are expecting sales volume to have a flat to marginal y-o-y growth due to the weak production as a result of bad weather.
Indonesia has been revising down the palm oil production estimate month by month as yield recovery from the dryness in 2019 has been delayed. Sugar production in Australia is expected to be flat y-o-y as per the US$A report issued on 30 Sep 21.

Food products (35% of 1H21’s PBT or 50% of 2020’s PBT) may not be able to meet its strong performance in 2020. Food products consist of consumer products and medium pack & bulk. PBT margin for this division is expected to be narrower as the surge in raw materials prices is not able to be fully transferred to the selling price for consumer products which are in a highly competitive market.
For 1H21, Wilmar International's PBT margin dropped to 3.14% vs 4.77% in 1H20 and 4.88% for 2020.

The impact from the temporary electricity curb was too peers are being affected by the temporary shutdown.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has updated its website to expand their product range, which will eventually mirror the business model in China.

We maintain our earnings forecast for 2021/22/23 with core net profits of US$1.66b, US$1.78b and US$1.95b respectively. Re-iterate BUY rating on Wilmar International with the global uncertainty in 2020 and 1H21 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
See
Share price catalysts:
- Embarking on value-enhancing M&As.
- Better-than-expected earnings.

Leow Huay Chuen UOB Kay Hian Research | Jacquelyn Yow Hui Li UOB Kay Hian | https://research.uobkayhian.com/ 2021-10-21

SGX Stock Analyst Report BUY MAINTAIN BUY 6.400 SAME 6.400