OSK/DMG report on the company, TP $0.69, rating NEUTRAL
1Q13 core net earnings surged 31.3% y-o-y to SGD10.5m, in line with ours
and market expectations. Revenue growth of 12.3% y-o-y was driven by
contributions from new stores while gross margins expanded by 1.7ppt yo-
y to 22.5%, having recovered from competitive price pressures in 1Q12.
While we continue to like the company, valuations appear rich at 25x
FY13F P/E. Maintain NEUTRAL.
1Q13 core earnings in line. Sheng Siong’s 1Q13 net profit sanked 37.6% y-oy
to SGD10.5m. Excluding a SGD10.5m one-off gain from the sale of its old
warehouse and a SGD1.6m tax provision in 1Q12, core earnings actually grew
by a healthy 31.3% to SGD10.5m. The company’s earnings were in line with
ours and market expectations, accounting for 26% of our full-year estimates.
New stores contributed to 14.2% of revenue. Revenue for the quarter rose
12.3% y-o-y to SGD179.4m, driven by new store contributions, which
accounted for 14.2% of overall revenue. However, same-store-sales growth
(SSSG) slowed to 2.0% vs our forecast of 3.0% p.a. for 2013 and 2014.
Early payment of staff bonuses. We note that during the quarter, cash and
cash equivalents rose by a mere SGD2.7m from SGD27m in 1Q12.
Management attributes this to a change in timing for the payment of staff
bonuses. The company has a high cash-generative business model with a
negative cash conversion cycle.
Labour, rents the key challenges. Commenting on the company’s results,
Management expressed concerns over Singapore’s tight labour market in view
of the Government’s clampdown on foreign labour. At our recent roadshow, its
management said out of its 2,600 employees, 1/3 are non-Singaporeans.
Valuation appears rich. Maintain NEUTRAL. While we like Sheng Siong's
highly cash-generative business model and resilient earnings, valuation
currently appears rich at 25x FY13F P/E. Furthermore, in spite of a 90%
dividend payout, yields appear pedestrian at 3.6%.
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