IOI has also taken a number of steps to improve sustainability practices, including obtaining third-party verification on its progress towards implementing sustainable policies.
KUALA LUMPUR: UOB Kay Hian Malaysia Research is maintaining its Sell call on plantation heavyweight IOI Corporation as there is no near-term catalysts, with a lower target price of RM3.65 from RM3.94.
The research house said on Wednesday IOI Corp had completed the disposal of 70% of Loders on March 1.
After the disposal, IOI declared a special dividend 11.5 sen a share. This, coupled with the interim dividend of 4.5 sen a share and potential final dividend of 5.6 sen a share, could bring total dividend for FY18 to 21.6 sen a share or yield of 4.6%.
“We maintain our fresh fruit bunches (FFB) production growth forecast at 12% on-year for FY18, which is in-line with management guidance,” it said.
UOB Kay Hian Research understands that 50% of the sales proceeds would be utilised for repayment of bank borrowings. Post disposal, the net gearing ratio improved to 0.32 times from 0.78 times as of June 2017.
It said IOI Corp's production recovery pattern was choppy in FY18. Management was expecting a strong pick-up in FFB production in 2QFY18 and foresees a decline in 3QFY18 due to seasonality.
“However, we understand that FFB production in Jan-Feb 18 remained strong, improving 44% on-year and 30% on-year respectively (vs 23% on-year and 24% on-year for Jan-Feb 17).
“The uneven FFB production recovery pattern was mainly due to the lingering effect from drought, especially Sabah which suffered a longer and more severe drought compared to other regions.
“IOI has about 66% of its estates located in Sabah. Based on our observation, Peninsular Malaysia’s FFB production is back to normal as the drought in Peninsular Malaysia ended earlier than in Sabah,” it said.
In 8MFY18, FFB production was at 2,466,498 tonnes (+16% on-year).
UOB Kay Hian Research is maintaining its FFB production growth forecast at 12% on-year for FY18 on the back of a yield recovery, which is within management’s FFB production guidance of 8%-15% on-year.
“FFB production is likely to be weaker on-quarter in 3QFY18 but will improve on-quarter in 4QFY18.
“Management expects FFB production to grow in the low double digits in FY19 on the back of a yield improvement. We are more conservative and expect FFB production growth of 8% on-year for FY19,” it said.
The research house said about 32% of IOI’s planted areas have a tree age profile of above 10 years, and the majority is located in Sabah.
“Management is targeting to replant 4%-6% of total planted areas or 7,000-10,000ha in FY18-19,” it said.
UOB Kay Hian Research said the performance of downstream operations has been choppy in the past few quarters due to the fluctuation of raw material prices.
Post the disposal of its stake in Loders to Bunge, the remaining segments – oleochemical sub-segment and refining sub-segment – are expected to continue to grow on the back of a stable raw material prices outlook.
Sales volumes would also be supported by the steady growth of global and regional economies.
“We have adjusted our net profit forecasts downwards by 14%, 15% and 16% for FY18-20 respectively to exclude the contribution from Loders to downstream operations, while increasing associates’ contribution,” it said.
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