Stocks in the news (advanc, asap, bh, biz, dna, forth, ivl, lpn, nch, ncl, tvd) 25.09.18
ADVANC
ADVANC is implementing new upgrades to its “superblock” bandwidth structure, aiming to reinvigorate the country’s largest mobile operator as it faced stagnant subscriber growth the past few years because of a saturated mobile market. It claims the new superblock will help boost service speeds by 30%, while accommodating up to 52 million customers. (Bangkok Post, 25/09/18)
ASAP
ASAP gets the attention of a local mutual fund. Management is confident in the solidity of its fundamentals and financial statement, expecting revenue to grow 30% this year on the back of growing auto sales. It will open “Auto Park”, an integrated auto service in October, raising revenue. (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)
Comment: Nothing wrong with their business nor their outlook, but the valuation is something to behold…
BH
BH expects to benefit from growing health tourism. It expects 2H18 results to be better HoH due to high season in 3Q18. It expects revenue growth of 2% this year. It plans to extend its complex disease treatment centers. (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)
Comment: One does wonder when will Chinese tourists become medical tourists for Thailand and other parts of the region, or does China itself have quality institutions at decent prices or are they going elsewhere?
BIZ
BIZ expects to book revenue from 20-30% of its backlog of Bt1.6bn. It is speeding up sending jobs. It is bidding for many government projects with total value of Bt300-400mn and the results will be known in 4Q18. (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)
DNA
DNA has budgeted Bt43.5mn to invest in 30% of Paynow company, an e-payment business, and 45% in Thai Call Center (TCC). (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)
FORTH
FORTH expects 3Q18 results to be good because it has no depreciation cost from top-up machines in the Philippines. Backlog is Bt1.4-1.5bn. It expects revenue of Bt8bn this year and earnings will be a record high. It is bidding for many projects with total value of Bt7-8bn and expects to be awarded 30% of total value. (Kao Hoon, 25/9/18)
Comment: But True is going to beat them hands down at the 7-11 stores in Thailand.
IVL
IVL says its two factories in the US are not affected by Hurricane Florence and are operating normally. It benefits from US measures to protect domestic producers. It is investing as planned and three acquisition deals worth US$800mn will be completed soon. It has US$1bn in cash. It targets EBITDA growth of 12% a year. (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)
Comment: And they keep acquiring companies…one does have to wonder how many more in the market are there? And are they really constantly more cost competitive versus every other player in the market?
LPN
LPN expects 4Q18 to be the year’s peak. It expects transfers of Bt4bn because the construction of two condominiums worth Bt4.7bn will complete in 4Q18. 9M18 presales were Bt14bn. It plans to launch four projects with total value of Bt6.5bn. (Kao Hoon, 25/9/18)
Comment: They haven’t hit the peaks of 4-5 years ago, and thats a sign of the market changes and the increase in competition.
NCH
NCH is preparing to launch three low-rise projects with total value of Bt2bn with home price of Bt58mn after it received a good response. It will sell 10 projects worth Bt4bn at the House & Condo Show and expects presales of Bt300mn from the show. It expects 4Q18 results to be outstanding, supported by high season. (Kao Hoon, 25/9/18)
NCL
NCL is setting up a logistics office in Vietnam with completion in September. It expects contribution of foreign revenue to double. It expects 3Q18 results to go up after good 2Q18 results. Management expects revenue growth of 10-20% this year. (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)
TVD
TVD announced that the board approved Bt1.08bn to acquire 90.1% of Spring News Television. It expects breakeven in 6-7 years. It expects sales to grow by 15% from this year’s target growth of 5% and revenue will reach target of Bt3.99bn. (Thun Hoon, 25/9/18)