Sembcorp Marine - UOB Kay Hian 2021-11-12: Buy For The Outlook, Not For The Earnings

SEMBCORP MARINE LTD (SGX:S51)

Sembcorp Marine - Buy For The Outlook, Not For The Earnings

While the company continues to guide for a poor 2H21, this should not be news to the market. Overall, Sembcorp Marine’s 3Q21 had a number of positives including new R&U contracts, and that order visibility has improved across all segments.
As at end-3Q21 and post its S$.15b rights issue, Sembcorp Marine's gearing had fallen to 0.4x. Maintain BUY.

A qualitative update for 3Q21. Sembcorp Marine (SGX:S51) released its 3Q21 business update which did not contain any revenue or profit numbers. Two of the negatives, which in our view the market is well aware of, is that 2H21 will continue to see losses being generated, and that it continues to face labour and logistics challenges.
On the positive side, Sembcorp Marine commented that “overall order visibility across its product segments improved in 2021” and that it is currently bidding on projects worth in excess of S$10b.
An improved financial position post S$1.5b capital raising. On the analyst call, Sembcorp Marine’s management commented that it has a relatively strong liquidity position with its gearing at 0.4x as at end-3Q21. Importantly, the capital raising proceeds can be used more ably to execute and complete the projects as well as for working capital needs for new orders and projects. Sembcorp Marine management would not be drawn on its views of its funding needs post-2022, but did state that it does not expect any more capital raisings given that its banks can see that the overall industry is improving and that Sembcorp Marine is transitioning well into renewables.

Sembcorp Marine’s management stated that while mutual due it “sooner rather than later”.

Following on from its 3Q21 disclosure that it had won two Sembcorp Marine expects growth in the R&U business for other types of vessels.

Sembcorp Marine’s management stated that the global rig market appears to be a lot healthier compared to a year ago as utilisation rates are now above 82% for marketed rigs, while some warm-and cold-stacked rigs have been reactivated. While demand and supply appears to be approaching equilibrium, it believes that immediate enquiries may not be forthcoming. However, Sembcorp Marine pointed out that there has been more interest in completed or partially-completed rigs which it views as a potential precursor to new orders in the medium to long term.
While Sembcorp Marine stated clearly on the analyst call that “drilling rigs are not (its) key immediate focus”, it is clear that global rig operators have sequentially had a much better 3Q21, with Noble Drilling in particular guiding for a significantly better 2022 relative to 2021.

Orders have improved so 2022 will be better than 2021 from the management’s standpoint. This is however very much driven by customers and what they need, as well as their forecasts of commodity prices. Sembcorp Marine is also currently working on orders in excess of $10b. Addressable market and both sides of the energy market have improved tremendously.

With COVID-19 cases in excess of 3,000 per day in Singapore, Sembcorp Marine has attempted to manage positive cases by having “micro sites” to lower the risk of the virus shutting down the entire Tuas yard. Thus, increased costs and negative effects on productivity are to be expected which will continue to impact Sembcorp Marine’s profitability in 2H21.
On the labour side, welders have been difficult to recruit in the past 12 months. However, with the Ministry of Manpower recently allowing foreign labour to enter Singapore, the problematic access to labour should ease in the near term.

Maintain lapsed in early Nov 21, we believe that much of the corporate-level risk has dissipated.
See
Catalysts:
- New orders for rigs, offshore renewable installations or fabrication works.
- Meaningful return of repairs and upgrades work for cruise ships and other commercial vessels.
- Merger or JVs with other shipyards.

Adrian LOH UOB Kay Hian Research | https://research.uobkayhian.com/ 2021-11-12

SGX Stock Analyst Report BUY MAINTAIN BUY 0.110 SAME 0.110