Textile & garment sector – Gradual recovery ahead
11-04-2024
: STK, TNG, TCM, MSH
: Textile & Garment
: Hoai Trinh
Tags: Textile & Garment
- We believe that (1) the demand for textile products has not yet strongly rebounded globally, and (2) high inventory levels in the US market will cause the recovery of the Vietnamese textile & garment sector to slow down in the first half of 2024.
- In the first three months of 2024, Vietnam's textile export turnover has shown signs of recovery from the low base of 2023, reaching USD 7.8 bn (+9.0% YoY). Specifically, in March, export growth was recorded at 1.4% YoY, a slowdown compared to the 13.4% YoY seen in the cumulative first two months of the year. For Q1/2024, the import volume of fabric reached USD 3.157 mn (+5.8% YoY). After two months of positive growth, March saw a decline in fabric import turnover, marking a decrease of 6.4% YoY. We note that Q1/2023 was a low base. Therefore, the fabric import growth in Q1/2024 could indicate that a surge in textile manufacturing orders in Q2/2024 might be unlikely.
- For 2024, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) has planned for the export of textile products to reach a value of approximately USD44 mn (+9% YoY), with expectations pinned on a rebound in consumption and the leaner inventory in the export markets.
Pharmaceutical industry – Step into the phase of stable growth
10-04-2024
: DBD, IMP
: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology
: Quan Cao
Tags:
- According to IQVIA, the total pharmaceutical market size in Vietnam reached USD 8.5 billion (+6% YoY), with revenue from the ETC and OTC channels reached USD 3.4 billion (+18% YoY) and USD 5.1 billion (-1% YoY), respectively.
- In a favorable policy environment, we believe that the ETC channel will continue to be the primary growth driver for the pharmaceutical industry in 2024. The OTC channel is expected to experience stable growth in line with the overall industry growth rate.
- In the long term, Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry will benefit from an aging population and increasing population expenditure on pharmaceuticals.
PHR – The Land Conversion Story Becomes Increasingly Clear
09-04-2024
: PHR
: Industrial Land RE
: Hung Le
Tags:
- The proposed master plan for Binh Duong province reveals a clearer path for land conversion, opening up numerous opportunities to realize the value of PHR's rubber land for future socio-economic development projects. According to estimates, the total area of land PHR can convert by 2030 is up to 3,972 ha.
- In our baseline scenario, we project that PHR's revenue and net income for the year 2024 will reach VND 1,623 billion (USD 66 million) and VND 694 billion (USD 28 million) respectively, marking increases of 20.1% and 11.5% year-over-year. This forecast is based on the scenarios where 1) the revenue from the VSIP 3 project continues, and the NTU3 project begins deliveries this year, and 2) the average selling price of rubber for the year is VND 41 million per ton. The corresponding EPS for 2024 is anticipated to be VND 5,042.
- Based on the Sum of The Parts (SOTP) method, the target price has been adjusted to VND 68,900 per share due to our updates on new projects and the benefits from land compensation in the proposed master plan of Binh Duong province. Coupled with an expected dividend of VND 4,000 per share over the next 12 months, the total expected return is 22% (based on the closing price on April 8, 2024), corresponding to a BUY recommendation for long-term investment objectives
TCM – Eland will be the main growth driver in 2024
08-04-2024
: TCM
: Textile & Garment
: Hien Le
Tags:
- Q1-2024 revenue is estimated at USD 39 million (+6% YoY) and net profit is estimated at USD 2.5 million (+9% YoY). Revenue and net profit growth as the low base of 2023 and orders increase.
- The business plan for 2024 targets a revenue of VND 3,707 bn (or 157,7 mn) (+12% YoY) as a doubling of Eland orders compared to the same period. Gross margin is expected to improve due to changes in the sales portion, with net profit is expected to reach VND 161 bn (or 6.8 million USD) (+ 21% YoY).
- We believe that the company's revenue plan for 2024 is feasible due to the doubled of order volume from the major customer/shareholder Eland (with Eland’s revenue in 2023 amounting to VND 746 billion). Additionally, we expect net profit growth to be higher than planned as the sale of the Trang Bang factory and land in the Vinh Long area will be realized this year.
- We are reassessing the valuation of TCM as we need to observe additional factors affecting the industry and the company's prospects. The stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 36x, higher than the 5-year average P/E ratio of 19x.
ACB - Promising outlook for recovery
05-04-2024
: ACB
: Banking
: Chinh Dang
Tags:
- The bank has presented a relatively cautious plan for 2024 at its annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM). Total assets are expected to grow by 12%, reaching approximately VND 805,050 bn (USD 32,857 mn). It is important to note that the 14% credit growth target in the plan represents the limit allocated for the entire year for ACB. Additionally, we anticipate that ACB may be granted additional credit limits by the end of the year based on evaluations by the State Bank of Vietnam
- Preliminary net profit before tax (PBT) for Q1/2024 amounted to VND 4,900 bn (USD 200 mn), a decrease of 5% year-on-year (YoY), achieving 22.27% of the 2024 plan. The decline in Q1 PBT was mainly influenced by non-interest income sources, particularly bancassurance fees, and high collection in Q1/2023. Meanwhile, based on the bank's disclosed PBT level, we estimate that net interest income will grow by approximately 12.6% YoY to VND 7,000 bn when credit growth reaches 3.7% year-to-date (YTD) and the net interest margin (NIM) increases by 20 basis points (bps)
- Our forecast for 2024’s PBT is VND 23,059 bn (USD 942 mn), marking a 15% YoY increase and a 4.8% increase compared to the bank's plan. Earnings per share (EPS) and book value per share (BVPS) stand at VND 4,710 and VND 22,000, respectively. Our latest target price is VND 32,300 per share, combined with a dividend of VND 1,000 per share, equivalent to a return of 22% compared to the closing price on April 5, 2024. Therefore, we recommend a BUY for ACB
DRC – The growth path is less bumpy over past year
04-04-2024
: DRC
: Automobiles
: Hung Nguyen
Tags:
- Radial TBR tire maintains the riding role for DRC’s performance in 2024F of 25% YoY, owing to (1) the improvement of global goods rotation, (2) the elevated capacity in its phase-3 radial factory from 0.75 to 1.0 mn units/year from Q2-2024; and (3) the increased sales of the US market as we believe DRC’s products is able to be substitute for Thailand’s TBR tires in H2-2024.
- In 2024, we anticipate DRC’s operating margin will improve by +6 bps YoY due to the historic lows of 2023 coupled with our assumption that DRC will increase the natural rubber inventory reservation or level up its selling price to partly offset the upward shifts from this material. In summary, for 2024, we project DRC’s net revenue and NPAT to gain VND 5,349 bn (or USD 221 mn, +19.0% YoY) and VND 235 bn (or USD 12.2 mn, +19.9% YoY), resulting in an EPS of VND 2,331.
- We determine a one-year target price for DRC at VND 30,300/share, based on two methods: FCFF and P/E, with respective weights of 50% and 50%, which is -11% lower than the closing price on April 4th 2024. However, DRC maintains a stable dividend policy, with an average payout ratio in 2024 of ~60%. Hence, we suggest that investors following the arbitrage strategy can consider accumulating DRC stock when the market undergoes a significant correction at a reasonable price. Investors who prefer stable dividends can flexibly disburse when the cash dividend yield is attractive more than the bank deposits.
SCS – Raise TP to VND 95,600. Reiterate BUY recommendation
03-04-2024
: SCS
: Aviation
: Tung Do
Tags: Q1/2024 results
- We have adjusted the target price for SCS to 95,600 VND, up 6% from the latest TP, implying an expected total return (including a cash dividend of 5,000 VND/share) of 36% as of April 3rd, 2024. We reiterate a BUY recommendation for SCS.
- The volume of international cargo has shown robust growth following collaboration with Qatar Airways. International volume in Q1/24 is estimated to reach nearly 43 thousand tons (+40% YoY), while domestic volume reaches 15.8 thousand tons (+23% YoY).
- For the year 2024, projected revenue and net profit after tax (NPAT) are VND 974 billion (+38% YoY) and VND 659 billion (+32% YoY), respectively. The forecasted EPS for 2024F is 6,300 VND.
HPG – Dung Quat 02 Complex to be the long-term growth driver
02-04-2024
: HPG
: Materials
: Thach Lam Do, CFA
Tags: HPG
- The Dung Quat 02 Steel Complex (DQ02) has a designed capacity of 5.6 mn tons of HRC/year, divided into 2 phases. In which, phase 01 has the capacity of 2.8 mn tons/year, and it is expected to start trial production in the 4Q24, and begin operation from the 1Q25. As of March 2024, the project has completed 50% of phase 1’s total progress, in which HPG has completed 90% of the construction of main items (roller mills, steel smelting, iron smelting, coke smelting, and raw material processing plants) and completed more than 50% of the total steel structure.
- With the current construction progress of the Dung Quat 02 complex, we believe the factory will be able to be put into operation from the 1Q25 as planned, with relatively high efficiency (utilization rate of 80% for phase 01, corresponding to 2025 HRC output of 2.24 million tons). Thereby, HPG's revenue in 2025 can reach VND 197 tn (USD 8.1bn, +35%YoY), with 2025 gross profit can reach VND 30.6tn (USD 1.3bn, +59%YoY), and net profit to reach VND 21tn (USD 864mn, +85%YoY). The corresponding EPS in 2025 will be VND 3,380.
- We use two methods (FCFF and PB) to evaluate the stock; our fair value comes at VND 36,600 per share, implying a total return of +20% as of the closing price on April 02nd, 2024, equivalent to a BUY recommendation for long-term investment purpose for Hoa Phat Group Jsc
Anticipated PCE inflation signal for the Fed’s first rate cut
01-04-2024
: VDS
: Macroeconomics
: Luan Pham
Tags:
- Fed’s key inflation indicator holds steady, as anticipated.
- A normalization of super core PCE and services inflation.
- PCE inflation trends point towards a rate cut in June.
Fisheries Industry - Prospects of Major Markets
29-03-2024
: VHC, FMC, ANV
: Fishery
: Hien Le
Tags:
- The export value in the first two months of the year has increased by 28% YoY, with the export value of Pangasius rising by 8% YoY and shrimp increasing by 28% YoY. The increase in export value is primarily due to an 18% YoY increase in Pangasius volume and a 32% YoY increase in shrimp volume, while prices continue to decrease by 9% YoY and 3% YoY, respectively.
- The Pangasius industry in 2024 is expected to see growth in export volume in the US and China markets, while the EU market will remain stable compared to the previous year. Price increases in major markets are expected to be challenging compared to the period year due to high price competition and abundant supply of Tilapia and Pollock.
- The shrimp industry in 2024 is expected to see growth in both export volume and price recovery in the Japanese market as its low base and increasing wages in Japan. For the US, China, and EU 28 markets, competition with raw shrimp from Ecuador and India remains high, so we expect export volume to increase due to economic recovery while prices may not rise due to abundant shrimp supply.
Seaport industry – Awaiting the wave of recovery in 2024
28-03-2024
: GMD, VSC, HAH
: Seaports
: Quan Cao
Tags:
- Accumulated 2M2024, the estimated value of container via sea ex-im of goods were USD 32 billion (+17% YoY) and USD 20 billion (+13% YoY), respectively.
- Accumulated 2M2024, the container throughput in Hai Phong and Vung Tau regions were 1,005 thousand TEUs (+30% YoY) and 900 thousand TEUs (+55% YoY), respectively.
- For 2024, the import-export demand could recover strongly as early indicators are sending positive signals.
DCM - 2024 Fully depreciated urea plant drives earnings growth
27-03-2024
: DCM
: Fertilizer
: Ngan Le
Tags:
- We project the revenue and MPAT-MI in 2024 to reach VND 14,470 billion (USD 603 million) and VND 1,622 billion (USD 68 million) respectively, marking a 15% YoY increase in revenue and a significant 46% YoY surge in NPAT. The NPK segment is expected to be a revenue growth driver after the merger with the NPK Han-Viet plant, while the fully depreciated urea plant will stimulate profit growth in 2024.
- At a projected 2024 EPS of VND 3,064, DCM shares trade at a forward PE of 11.6x, higher than the 5-year average of 10.1x, showing that the current share price reflects the prospects of increasing business profits in 2024.
- In 2024, it is expected that the amended VAT law (imposing a 5% VAT on fertilizer products) will be implemented at the conference for review and comment at the 7th meeting (May-2024), and approved at the 8th meeting (Oct-2024). If the Law is passed with fertilizer products moving from non-taxable to 5% VAT, we expect domestic fertilizer producers will be able to compete with imported products thanks to lower costs.
- However, the intention of including fertilizer products into VAT’s item list has been considered at many National Assembly session but has not yet approved. Therefore, we do not yet include this factor in our assumptions for forcasting the business’s results. We will re-evaluate when we have more information after the 7th session of the National Assembly.
11-04-2024
138 
