JAPFA: 3Q core net profit forecast to grow 123%

Following RHB's recent report (JAPFA: "Too cheap to ignore," says RHB), CGS-CIMB has a preview of Japfa's 3Q results.

Excerpts from CGS-CIMB report

Analyst: Cezzane See

Vietnam swine prices still high
According to Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF TB, Add, TP: THB39.75), Vietnam swine prices rose to an average of VND80k/kg (Fig 1) in Jul-Aug 20 (up >100% yoy).

CPF’s management believes Sep 20 prices were still high at VND75k-80k/kg.

This implies a still-strong 3Q20F, in our view, with the Animal Protein Other (APO) segment EBIT having already posted an earnings turnaround in 2Q20, from a loss in 2Q19.

China raw milk prices steady
Japfa CEO Tan Yong Nang. Photo: Company3Q20 average China’s raw milk prices (as at 23 Sep) of Rmb3.7/kg was up c.3.9% qoq and 2.3% yoy, lending a positive bias to JAP’s dairy segment, whose EBIT had already risen by c.21% yoy to US$19.6m in 2Q20 (2Q19:US$16.2m).

Indonesia poultry still weak
According to JAP, average 3Q20 day-old chick (DOC) prices fell c.20% to c.Rp3.3k, while average 3Q20 broiler prices were down to Rp14.6k (-c.13% yoy).

Our Indonesia team believes weak disposable income in Indonesia due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 could cap the demand recovery for Indo poultry in 2H20F; moreover the oversupply issue within the broiler industry still exists.

We foresee 3Q20F and 2H20F prospects remaining weak for this segment.

3Q20F preview
We expect JAP to report a 3Q20F EBIT of c.US$62m (up c.28% yoy), led by strong earnings from its APO and dairy segments.

We see 3Q20F core net profit growing 123.0% yoy to US$26.3m, with the benefits of the higher EBIT being further upheld by lower effective taxes and MI (Indo poultry carries the most leakage).

We adjust our FY20-22F core EPS forecasts marginally, post some housekeeping adjustments, especially within the Indonesia poultry business.

Maintain Add; diversification bears fruit "Potential catalysts are better poultry, Vietnam swine and dairy operating metrics. Downside risks are the reverse, as well as higher corn prices." -- Cezzanne See, analyst With the Vietnam swine and China raw milk segments mitigating the weakness in the Indonesia poultry segment, we reiterate our positive view on JAP and keep our Add call. Our TP is maintained at S$0.96, still based on 12x CY21F P/E (close to JAP’s 4-year average mean).

Full report here.