@boy, you are right. They believe PBA is worth at least RM3 before the tariff hike announcement. They may have revised up their TP after the announcement as there are further details which warrant a re-rating.
@aceofbursa, thanks for the link. Anyway you have already posted 99% of the content. I got the idea already. I do concur with his view that PBA is grossly undervalued, easily worth RM3.50-4.00 per share.
@dragon328, I agreed with you that PBA is grossly undervalued! Fundamentals are getting stronger because they can raise tariff every 3 years and pass on ICPT surcharge to consumers. Still no analyst coverage? It seems that all the analysts are sleeping. I have been averaging up. Topped up at RM2.18.
Posted by dragon328 > 1 week ago | Report Abuse
Correct @Bullstocks888.
PBA is still grossly undervalued at current prices. Though no analyst covers this stock now, the only entity that gives a fair value to PBA currently is SimmmplyWallSt that gives a fair value of RM4.17.
It used a DCF valuation method and actual data of company free cashflows extrapolated forward. It assumed FCF of RM69.53 million for FY2024, obviously it has not taken into account the recent water tariff hike from 1st Feb 2024.
Nonetheless, the valuation of RM4.17 already gives a good upside of over 80% from current share price of RM2.28, even after it used a relatively high discount rate of 9.01%.
By early next year, once this institution has the more updated financial data of PBA post water tariff hike, the fair value will get a further boost from RM4.17.
BREAKOUT Analysis: Next BREAKOUT estimate date = 2-February to 16-February.
The previous three consolidation before the next surge took 8, 9 and 19 trading days.
The current consolidation has taken 11 days, so the next move up is this week or next week
3-Jan to 15-Jan: 9 trading days followed by BREAKOUT above RM1.75 to RM2.25 level 12-Dec to 28-Dec: 12 trading days followed by BREAKOUT above RM1.30 to RM1.75 level 15-Nov to 8-Dec: 19 trading days followed by BREAKOUT above RM1.10 to RM1.30 level
Indeed @dragon328, with Penang having the second lowest domestic tariff, it paves way for another round of decent tariff hikes in 3yrs time.
There will also be another earnings boost coming sooner in Jan 2026 from non-domestic tariff hikes (last adjustment on 1 Jan 2023).
Although PBA expects RM86m in additional income for 2024, my estimates indicate it's closer to RM100m. PBA is probably being conservative in their estimation.
Bulk domestic water tariff is also now at a flat rate RM1.73 per cubic metre vs. 35sen for >90 cu m usage previously. And there's the additional 7sen per cubic m for non-domestics with the ICPT.
The stock may have jumped but it hasn't priced in many positive factors yet. I still see strong upside.
Tradeview Capital’s chief investment officer Nixon Wong believes the current share prices of certain counters are mirroring uncertainties regarding the actual magnitude of the tariff hike, which suggests potential upside once these details are clarified.
Nevertheless, he added: “The sector might experience a re-rating with more information on the implementation of regular tariff revision and Imbalance Cost Pass Through mechanism."
The negative PAT is solely due different treatment on certain expenses items related to maintenance and also interest expenses. All these items will be written off as expenses entirely as it incurred, however under tax treatment it will first be capitalized and amortized over few years.
PBA FY23 results looks ok if you exclude the exceptional items.
total PBT RM68.4mil Additional revenue from tariff hike RM86mil Estimated pbt RM154mil in FY24 Assuming normal tax rate 24%, PAT RM117mil At 10x PE ratio, fair price should be RM3.53.
Operating cash flows jumped 70% to RM179mil in FY23 from RM103mil in FY22.
Net cash increase to RM215mil.
DPS increase 17% to 3.5 sen in FY23
What is your view? @dragon328, @KingKKK, @dollardollarbill
The income statement can mask/hide the real earnings of PBA, but not in the Cash Flow statement. Operating cash flow before working capital changes is RM128.5m in 2023 vs. RM87.4m in 2022. Net OCF RM179m in 2023 vs. RM103m in 2022.
The deferred tax expense of RM25.7m is a non-cash item and might potentially be reversed in the upcoming quarters.
The tariff hike for domestic users (and other categories) was just implemented on 1 Feb 2024, not in 4Q23. So, the RM86m increase in revenue that PBA mentioned will only be reflected from 1Q24 onwards.
While costs may have increased a bit in 4Q, these cost increases can be passed on in the next tariff adjustments in 2026 and 2027 for non-domestic and domestic users. Consequently, earnings are expected to continue rising after the adjustments.
I will continue to hold PBA as I believe in my long-term thesis, rather than focusing on the next quarter or two. In investing, one shouldn't feel pressured to chase returns for the next few months. Taking the longer-term view and focusing on the bigger picture is how great returns are generated.
@benghooi Thanks for pointing out. In other words, PBT would be even higher if the lower ICPT surcharge was for the whole 12 months of 2023, instead of 6 months (1 July - 31 Dec 2023)
This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....
aceofbursa
8 posts
Posted by aceofbursa > 2024-02-02 16:59 | Report Abuse
@boy, you are right. They believe PBA is worth at least RM3 before the tariff hike announcement. They may have revised up their TP after the announcement as there are further details which warrant a re-rating.
@dragon328, the content above is 99% of his comments on PBA. The link to the article https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2023/12/30/top-stock-picks-for-2024