Kim Eng analyst report on U.E. this morning.
United Engineers
Change is in the Air
Initiate with BUY and TP of SGD4.18. With an investment property
portfolio worth SGD1.7 billion, United Engineers Limited (UEL), a long
undervalued company, is on the brink of a major transformation to
unlock value. The catalyst for change could come from its major
shareholder, OCBC. But we think more can be done to help UEL realise
its value. For one, its portfolio of commercial assets, anchored by UE
Square, can be redeveloped. Its hospitality assets also could be sold.
We initiate coverage on UEL with a BUY rating and target price of
SGD4.18, suggesting 43.6% upside from current levels.
Shareholders could push for change. OCBC owns a 24.5% stake in
UEL and we believe that it holds the key to UEL’s quest to unlock value.
In recent months, OCBC shareholders have given the nod for the sale
of the group’s two long-term investments, Fraser & Neave (F&N) and
Asia Pacific Breweries (APB). On WBL Corporation, another of its
investment, OCBC stood aside in the hope that Straits Trading
Company and its partners could hasten the unlocking of its value. All
eyes are now on UEL, the last remaining piece of the OCBC jigsaw.
How UEL can unlock value. The Urban Redevelopment Authority will be reviewing the master plan for Singapore next year, which could
mean an increase in plot ratio. We think this offers UEL a unique
opportunity to redevelop UE Square, its key commercial asset in the
area. In addition, with potential buyers in acquisitive mode, we do not
rule out a sale of its hospitality assets – at the right price.
Deeply undervalued diamond. On book value alone, UEL is worth
SGD3.96/share. But this figure is still understated as it excludes assets
like UE BizHub Central which alone is worth SGD0.40/share. We value
UEL’s group RNAV (after debt) at SGD5.30/share. Our target price of
SGD4.18 is based on a 25% discount to RNAV. With the current share
price reflecting just 54% of the stock’s real worth, UEL is truly a
diamond in the rough. Initiate with BUY.
http://www.maybank-keresearch.com.sg/Dow...171212.pdf
This morning UE purchase of CPF building for $410 million which is below valuation of $430 million by Colliers International (Singapore)
Pte Ltd, as at 9 December 2012 to have a market value of $430 million.
http://info.sgx.com/webcoranncatth.nsf/V...6007EA9DF/$file/AnnFinal_17Dec.pdf?openelement