The Positives
+ 3x jump in project marketing. As it takes 8 to 12 weeks for revenue from the booking of a new project, the growth this quarter comes from the health project sales in 4Q19. Project marketing accounts for 45% of revenue in 1Q20 (1Q19: 20%). For the Top 3 selling projects in 1Q20 (The M, Treasures at Tampines, Jadescape), PropNex market share ranged from 46% to 60%.
+ Cash keeps piling up. Together with the rise in earnings, cash from operations increased S$8.7mn in 1Q20. Capital expenditure was less than S$100k in 1Q20. Net cash on the balance sheet rose to a record S$89.8mn.
+ Huge operating leverage. The operating leverage of the business was visible this quarter. Gross profits doubled YoY to S$15mn whilst staff cost only increased S$560k (or +17.8% YoY). The rise was due to salary increment and additional 1 headcount to 175.
The Negative
– Nil
Outlook
Management shared their outlook of transactions for FY20e. In a nutshell, the estimates are dire:
a. New launches: 1Q20 industry volumes rose 17% YoY to 2149. This will be supportive of 2Q20e earnings. However, FY20e industry transaction volumes may drop by around 20% to 7900*. These are levels worst than the 12 months post July18.
b. Private resale: 1Q20 volumes jumped 12% YoY to 2080 units. The resale market will be even worst hit than new launch. Without viewing the units physically, there is a higher risk for the buyer if there are issues with the unit. Resale units are unlike new launches where developers are reputable and there is the typical 1-year defect liability for developers. Expectations are for at least a 32% decline in transactions to 6100*.
c. HDB resale: 1Q20 volumes rose 22% YoY to 5893 unit and the highest in 9 years (for a March quarter). The circuit breaker will cause some postponement of purchases in the near-term and overall transaction for FY20e could fall by 10% to 21,500 units. We expect these transactions will be need-driven property purchase.
*PropNex estimate is a decline of 27% for the combined private resale and new projects from 19,150 units in 2019 to 14,000 units in 2020.
The extent of the COVID-19 circuit breaker impact include suspension of property viewings and marketing roadshows, temporary closure of project sales galleries and delays in new launches.
Maintain BUY with a higher target price of S$0.60 (previously S$0.70)
Our target price is lowered as we cut FY20e earnings forecast by 19%. We believe the company intends to position themselves as a high yield paying stock. To maintain dividends at 3.5 cents per annum requires a payout of S$13mn. This is well supported by the cash on hand of $89mn and excludes and further cash generated by the business.
Source: Phillip Capital Research - 20 May 2020
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