First Resources' FY13 core net profit was 11% above our forecast and 8.5% above consensus due to the higher CPO sales and lower cost of production. The group sold 36k tonnes more CPO than its production of 589k tonnes in FY13, which we suspect came from inventory drawdown. This, coupled with the realisation of forward sales in the earlier quarters helped the group report a 3% rise in its FY13 core net profit.
A final dividend of S$0.0325 was declared, bringing total dividends in FY13 to S$0.045, the highest level since listing. We fine-tuned our earnings forecasts for housekeeping purposes. Our Add rating and target price (based on 12.3x P/E, 1 s.d. above its 4-year mean) are intact.
Read more ยป
