Thursday 17 September 2015

Keppel Corp

OCBC on 10 Sept 2015

Keppel Corp recently hosted a lunch briefing for analysts in which the group touched on its overall strategy going forward, and provided updates on its business segments. The group is still busy with rig repairs and sees orders from non-drilling products, but considering that the group will be delivering 15 rigs this year, eight in 2016 and six in 2017, we think core earnings momentum may start turning soon. For the property segment, the group remains positive on the longer term outlook of its major markets. As for infrastructure, Keppel is pursuing BOT and BOO projects which the group may unlock value through KIT and Keppel DC REIT. OCBC Treasury Research and Strategy recently lowered its forecasts for oil prices and we refine our estimates as well. We also trim our new order assumption to S$2.5b for 2016 and lower our P/E for the O&M segment from 13x to 10x. After updating the market values of the group’s listed entities, our fair value estimate drops from S$8.41 to S$6.95. Maintain HOLD.

Update from management
Keppel Corp recently hosted a lunch briefing for analysts in which the group touched on its overall strategy going forward, and provided updates on its business segments. 

Offshore – tough outlook; yards busy till 2016
Keppel is still busy with rig repairs and sees orders from non-drilling products, but considering that the group will be delivering 15 rigs this year, eight in 2016 and six in 2017, we think core earnings momentum may start turning downwards soon, justifying the stock’s current depressed valuations. Keppel also reiterated that it is still working with Sete on how to best finance the fifth and sixth semi-submersible rigs. 

Property – focus more on returns
With the privatization of Keppel Land, the property business can now focus more on returns rather than churning assets to generate profits, a pressure it faced previously as a listed entity. Though the emerging markets of China and Indonesia could encounter speed bumps along the way, the group is positive on the longer term outlook of its major markets.

Infrastructure – BOT, BOO projects
The group is pursuing build-operate-transfer (BOT) and build-own-operate (BOO) projects; though this may be more capital intensive, they generate more recurring income over the longer term. With Keppel Infrastructure Trust and Keppel DC REIT, the group is able to unlock value in assets once they stabilize. 

Lower FV to S$6.95 on lower oil projections and O&M valuation
OCBC Treasury Research and Strategy recently lowered its forecasts for oil prices (WTI: US$45-50 for end 2015 and US$60 for 2016; Brent: US$50-55 for end 2015 and US$70 for 2016). With this, we refine our estimates, and also trim our new order assumption for 2016 from S$3b to S$2.5b, such that our earnings estimates are lowered by 3-6% for FY15-16. We also lower our P/E for the O&M segment from 13x to 10x to be in line with peer. After updating the market values of the group’s listed entities, our fair value estimate drops from S$8.41 to S$6.95. Maintain HOLD.

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