Monday 19 August 2013

Singtel

OCBC on 15 Aug 2013

SingTel posted 1QFY14 revenue of S$4293.3m, down 5.3% YoY and 4.2% QoQ, meeting about 24% of our full-year forecast; this largely weighed by lower revenue in Australia and the weaker AUD. Reported net profit though climbed 7.0% YoY and 16.4% QoQ to S$1011.0m, boosted by stronger EBITDA margins and higher associate contributions. Core net profit (excluding exceptional items) rose 5.5% YoY (but fell 10.4% QoQ) to S$897m, also meeting 24% of FY14 forecast. But going forward, the group’s outlook remains somewhat muted, as SingTel expects lower overall revenue (mainly from Group Consumer), with likely EBITDA compression as well. In view of the latest guidance, we pare our FY14F revenue forecast by 5% and core earnings by 1.3%. Also accounting for weaker AUD forecast, our SOTP-based fair value slips from S$3.82 to S$3.81. Maintain HOLD.

Decent start to FY13
SingTel posted 1QFY14 revenue of S$4293.3m, down 5.3% YoY and 4.2% QoQ, meeting about 24% of our full-year forecast; this largely weighed by lower revenue in Australia and the weaker AUD. Reported net profit though climbed 7.0% YoY and 16.4% QoQ to S$1011.0m, boosted by stronger EBITDA margins and higher associate contributions. Core net profit (excluding exceptional items) rose 5.5% YoY (but fell 10.4% QoQ) to S$897m, also meeting 24% of FY14 forecast. Meanwhile, free cashflow also climbed 23% YoY to S$893m, mainly due to timing and higher dividend receipts from associates. 

Outlook remains somewhat muted
But going forward, the group’s outlook remains somewhat muted, citing the continued weakness in the AUD. SingTel now expects revenue from Group Consumer to decline by high single-digit level, with lower revenues from Optus, and EBITDA to decline by low single-digit level (versus single-digit growth previously). Still, it expects Mobile Communications revenue from Singapore to grow by low single-digit level; Australia’s mobile service revenue to decline by mid single-digit level. Group Enterprise revenue should remain stable; but EBITDA to see low single-digit decline (versus stable previously). Its Group Digital Life revenue should grow at least 50% on an organic basis; but it will continue to see startup losses. Capex will also increase to S$2.5b to support LTE coverage expansion; invest up to S$2b for digital business over the next three years. 

Maintain HOLD with S$3.81 FV
In view of the latest guidance, we pare our FY14F revenue forecast by 5% and core earnings by 1.3%. Also accounting for weaker AUD forecast, our SOTP-based fair value slips from S$3.82 to S$3.81. Maintain HOLD. Separately, SingTel now plans to keep its Optus satellite unit, saying it is committed to growing and investing in the business.

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