RHB Indonesia - Company Update: Charoen Pokphand Indonesia (CPIN IJ, Sell, TP: IDR2,500), Downgrading On Rich Valuations And Margin Erosion Unknown Rabu, 03 Mei 2017




Company Update:
Charoen Pokphand Indonesia (CPIN IJ, Sell, TP: IDR2,500)
Downgrading On Rich Valuations And Margin Erosion

 
We downgrade Charoen Popkhand to SELL (from Buy) with a lower DCF-derived TP of IDR2,500 (from IDR3,700, 22% downside), and have cut our 2017F-2018F net profit estimates by 20-30%. On top of its rich valuations, we believe Charoen Popkhand’s earnings are likely to disappoint in the coming quarters due to margin pressure at its key business segments. Meanwhile, the acquisition of 7-Eleven Indonesia may further burden its weak earnings outlook, in our view.


¨       Given high earnings sensitivity, gross profit margins are set to decline. After speaking with companies under our coverage, the key takeaway from the poultry sector’s 1Q17 results is the QoQ decline in feed and day-old chick (DOC) margins due to higher feed material prices (after imported corn was banned) and DOC price capping. Pricing power is also weak at this juncture due to soft demand from farmers, hence margin improvement in the near term is unlikely.
Charoen Pokphand Indonesia’s (Charoen Popkhand) margins held up well in 1Q17, when compared to its smaller peers. However, we believe potential erosion in its feed and DOC margins is inevitable given the abovementioned factors that are affecting the entire sector. Recall that poultry companies’ earnings are highly sensitive to the change in product gross margins as opposed to volume growth. Based on our calculations, every 1% decline in feed/DOC gross margins would reduce net profit by IDR300bn/100bn respectively, or about 9%/3% of current consensus estimates.
¨       Acquisition of 7-Eleven Indonesia may be a bitter pill to swallow. On 19 Apr, Charoen Popkhand signed an agreement with Modern International (MDRN IJ, NR) to acquire the 7-Eleven retail chain in Indonesia for IDR1trn. The deal is subject to approval from the master franchiser of 7-Eleven with a 30 Jun deadline. As per latest available data for 2016, Modern International recorded a 9-month net loss of IDR162bn vs net profit of IDR12bn in 2015, after the Indonesian Government banned the selling of alcohol in small stores since mid-2015 – the key profit driver for 7-Eleven stores. Granted that Charoen Popkhand has a good track record with managing 7-Eleven stores in Thailand, the latest acquisition may be a drag on its cash flows for the next 1-3 years.
¨       Downgrade to SELL, consensus estimates on the high side. Based on our revised estimates (assuming lower feed and DOC margins), Charoen Popkhand is trading at 2017F P/E of 20x, and appears expensive given its weakening earnings outlook. We also believe that consensus estimates are too high at this point. Our new DCF-derived TP of IDR2,500 implies 2017F P/E of 16x, which is close to the current market P/E for the JCI.
¨       Risks. Main upside risks include an implementation shortfall in the price capping regulation for DOC and broiler chickens, and stronger-than-expected chicken demand (pricing power). Downside risks include IDR depreciation and worse-than-expected margin erosion.

Kindly click the following link for the full report: Charoen Pokphand Indonesia : Downgrading On Rich Valuations And Margin Erosion


Best regards,
       Norman Choong, CFA
       Assistant Vice President
       Research Analyst – Utilities, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Poultry
       PT. RHB Securities Indonesia
      
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