SABIC Q3 performance largely in line AWS

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Saudi Basic Industries Corp Petrochemicals – Industrial SABIC AB: Saudi Arabia 27 October 2014

US$92.29bn Market cap

Target price Consensus price Current price

24%

US$115.5mn

Free float

Avg. daily volume

143.6 141.8 115.4

24.3% over current 22.9% over current as at 23/10/2014

Existing rating Underweight

Neutral

Overweight

Overweight

Flash view Flash View is an analyst’s preliminary interpretation of a results announcement or the impact of a major event. Our investment rating and earnings estimates are not being changed in this report. Any formal changes to our investment rating or earnings estimates will be made in a subsequent report, which may differ from the preliminary views expressed here.

Vol mn

RSI10

Performance Price Close

MAV10

MAV50

Relative to TADAWUL FF (RHS)

Research Department ARC Research Team Tel 966 11 211 9332, [email protected]

SABIC Q3 performance largely in line SABIC’s Q3 net income of SAR6.18bn (down 4.5% y-o-y) narrowly missed our (SAR6.5bn) as well as consensus forecast of SAR6.61bn. Operating profit for the quarter came in at SAR10.4bn, in line with our forecast of SAR10.8bn. We had anticipated lower product prices, especially later in the quarter, and a sluggish industrial environment in China and Europe to restrain SABIC’s earnings growth in Q3. Investors reacted negatively, with the stock losing 0.6% yesterday in a broadly positive market. We continue with our positive stance on SABIC on the back of its strong balance sheet, diversified product base and widespread geographic presence. We will update our forecast after the detailed financials are released. For now, we keep SABIC’s target price unchanged at SAR143.6 a share and reiterate our Overweight rating on the stock. Above

In Line

Below

Earnings estimates

Up

No Change

Down

Dividend estimates

Up

No Change

Down

Recommendation

Upgrade

No Change

Downgrade

Long term view

Stronger

Confirmed

Weaker

134.0

110

Earnings vs. our forecast

114.0

96

Likely impact:

94.0

83

70 30 -10 15 10 5 10/13

01/14

04/14

07/14

Source: Bloomberg

Earnings Period End (SAR) Revenue (mn) Revenue Growth

12/12A 189,026

12/13A 189,038

12/14E 196,033

-0.5%

0.0%

3.7%

3.8%

56,622

57,681

58,479

EBITDA Growth

-10.4%

4.2%

1.9%

1.4%

8.26

8.41

8.92

8.83

6.1%

-1.1%

Valuation

18

P/E (x)

15

9

Jan-12 Jan-13 1/12 1/13 Source: Company data, Al Rajhi Capital

In line operating performance: SABIC’s operating profit of SAR10.4bn (down 7.6% y-o-y) was on par with our estimate of SAR10.8bn. We had expected the sluggish manufacturing climate in its end markets and a y-o-y decline in prices of some of its products (specifically ethylene, methanol and MEG) to weigh on the operating profit.



Bottom-line matches our forecast: SABIC’s net profit of SAR6.18bn narrowly missed our (SAR6.5bn) as well as consensus forecast of SAR6.61bn. The company attributed its lower net profit to a y-o-y decline in other income, which more than offset the positive effect created by lower financial expenses. Figure 1 SABIC: Summary of Q3 2014 results

12

6 Jan-11 1/11



12/15E

54,348

EPS Growth -15.3% 1.8% Source: Company data, Al Rajhi Capital

Revenue number not yet released: SABIC is yet to report its Q3 top-line number. With operating profit matching our forecast, we expect revenue to come close to our estimate of SAR49.23bn (consensus: SAR49.55bn).

203,549

EBITDA (mn) EPS



Jan-14 1/14

SAR (bn)

Q3 2013

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

y-o-y change

q-o-q change

ARC est

Revenues

48.82

48.15

NA

-

-

49.23

EBITDA

14.73

13.65

NA

-

-

EBITDA margin

30.2%

28.3%

-

Operating Profit

11.27

10.07

10.41

-7.6%

3.4%

10.82

6.47

6.46

6.18

-4.5%

-4.3%

6.50

Net Income

14.49 29.4%

Source: Company data, Al Rajhi Capital

Disclosures Please refer to the important disclosures at the back of this report. Powered by EFA Platform

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Saudi Basic Industries Corp Petrochemicals –Industrial 27 October 2014



Conclusion and valuation: Recent economic indicators released by the US have raised concerns on the sustainability of the country’s economic growth. Further, a growth slowdown in China, the world’s manufacturing hub, and sluggishness in the Eurozone indicate that demand for petrochemicals may remain fragile over the near-term. Moreover, the crude supply glut over the last couple of months has led to a sharp decline in oil prices, which has had a cascading effect on petrochemical prices. Once the financials are released, we will analyze the effect of the falling product prices on SABIC’s earnings over the next few quarters and update our forecasts. For now, we keep our target price unchanged at SAR143.6 a share and continue with our Overweight rating on the stock.



Decline in product prices restrained earnings growth: Crude prices have nosedived more than 16% over the last seven weeks and by approximately 26% since the high witnessed in mid-June. This has impacted prices of petrochemical products, which have a positive correlation with crude. We feel SABIC’s earnings growth was especially impacted by a sharp dip in ethylene and mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) prices. Moreover, methanol prices have retreated from the high seen in Q3 2013 (US$385/ton) to ~US$350/ton in Q3 2014.

Figure 2 Ethylene price trend

Figure 3 MEG price trend

US$/ton

US$/ton

1600

1500

1400

1500

1300 1400 1200

1300 1100 1200 1000 1100

1000 Jul-13

900

Oct-13

Jan-14

Apr-14

Jul-14

Oct-14

Source: Bloomberg, Al Rajhi Capital

800 Jul-13

Oct-13

Jan-14

Apr-14

Jul-14

Oct-14

Source: Bloomberg, Al Rajhi Capital

Major developments Fitch confirms SABIC’s credit rating Fitch Ratings affirmed SABIC’s long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and senior unsecured rating at 'A+' and short-term IDR at 'F1'. The ratings agency kept the Outlook on the longterm IDR Stable. Fitch has also affirmed the unsecured rating of ‘A+’ on SABIC Capital's guaranteed bonds.

To upgrade the UK-based plant With an eye on employing cheaper ethane gas coming from the US, SABIC revealed its plans to upgrade part of its Wilton, UK-based chemical plant. The company stated that the project will involve conversion and construction of a gas storage tank, which will enable it to produce olefins and their derivatives at a relatively cheaper cost. SABIC stated that it plans to complete the project in 2016.

Cancels SADAF expansion SABIC & Shell recently announced the cancelation of their expansion plans at the SADAF joint venture (expansion to add polyols, propylene oxide and styrene monomer), after the partners found that the results of the feasibility studies were not encouraging. Earlier in 2012, the companies had announced their plans to expand SADAF venture. However, both the companies stated that they will continue to look out for growth opportunities.

Disclosures Please refer to the important disclosures at the back of this report.

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Saudi Basic Industries Corp Petrochemicals –Industrial 26 October 2014

Disclaimer and additional disclosures for Equity Research

Disclaimer This research document has been prepared by Al Rajhi Capital Company (“Al Rajhi Capital”) of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It has been prepared for the general use of Al Rajhi Capital’s clients and may not be redistributed, retransmitted or disclosed, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of Al Rajhi Capital. Receipt and review of this research document constitute your agreement not to redistribute, retransmit, or disclose to others the contents, opinions, conclusion, or information contained in this document prior to public disclosure of such information by Al Rajhi Capital. The information contained was obtained from various public sources believed to be reliable but we do not guarantee its accuracy. Al Rajhi Capital makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding the data and information provided and Al Rajhi Capital does not represent that the information content of this document is complete, or free from any error, not misleading, or fit for any particular purpose. This research document provides general information only. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes an offer or an invitation to make an offer, to buy or sell any securities or other investment products related to such securities or investments. It is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this document. Investors should seek financial, legal or tax advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities, other investment or investment strategies discussed or recommended in this document and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. Investors should note that income from such securities or other investments, if any, may fluctuate and that the price or value of such securities and investments may rise or fall. Fluctuations in exchange rates could have adverse effects on the value of or price of, or income derived from, certain investments. Accordingly, investors may receive back less than originally invested. Al Rajhi Capital or its officers or one or more of its affiliates (including research analysts) may have a financial interest in securities of the issuer(s) or related investments, including long or short positions in securities, warrants, futures, options, derivatives, or other financial instruments. Al Rajhi Capital or its affiliates may from time to time perform investment banking or other services for, solicit investment banking or other business from, any company mentioned in this research document. Al Rajhi Capital, together with its affiliates and employees, shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damages that may arise, directly or indirectly, from any use of the information contained in this research document. This research document and any recommendations contained are subject to change without prior notice. Al Rajhi Capital assumes no responsibility to update the information in this research document. Neither the whole nor any part of this research document may be altered, duplicated, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means. This research document is not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or which would subject Al Rajhi Capital or any of its affiliates to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction.

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Explanation of Al Rajhi Capital’s rating system

Al Rajhi Capital uses a three-tier rating system based on absolute upside or downside potential for all stocks under its coverage except financial stocks and those few other companies not compliant with Islamic Shariah law: "Overweight": Our target price is more than 10% above the current share price, and we expect the share price to reach the target on a 6-9 month time horizon. "Neutral": We expect the share price to settle at a level between 10% below the current share price and 10% above the current share price on a 6-9 month time horizon. "Underweight": Our target price is more than 10% below the current share price, and we expect the share price to reach the target on a 6-9 month time horizon.

2.

Definitions

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Contact us Jithesh Gopi, CFA Head of Research Tel : +966 11 2119332 [email protected] Al Rajhi Capital Research Department Head Office, King Fahad Road P.O. Box 5561 Riyadh 11432 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Email: [email protected] Al Rajhi Capital is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority, License No. 07068/37.

Disclosures Please refer to the important disclosures at the back of this report.

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