Thursday, May 19, 2016
Company Update
BCEL: Earnings uncertainty remains - Underperform (16E TP: LAK6,000; US$0.74)
Capital issue remains its key share price overhang
We maintain an Underperform rating for BCEL. Although its cheap valuation should be the main share price support, we see the ongoing concern over its limited capital to remain its key share price overhang. Meanwhile, its earnings uncertainty could stem mainly from the efficiency of its asset quality control as well as some extra items that might incur. However, we see that the main share price catalyst could come from the progress of its recapitalization plan, with the timeframe still uncertain.
1Q16 net profit stood at LAK15bn (-71% YoY, -84% QoQ)
The weaker results were due mainly to 1) a much higher tax rate to 28%; 2) much lower extra gains YoY as the bank booked huge extra gain from share of profit (LAK73bn) of joint ventures (Lao Viet Joint Venture Bank) and gain (LAK25bn) from margin trading transactions in 1Q15 vs. the absence of extra income in 1Q16. Moreover, a higher provision QoQ vs. the huge provision reversal in 4Q15 was another reason behind the earnings drop QoQ.
Top-line growth showed improvement in 1Q16
Loans grew sharply 29% YoY and 15% QoQ mainly from the industrial services and trading companies sectors. The net interest margin showed sharp improvement both YoY and QoQ to 2.35%, thanks mainly to the bank’s better balance sheet leverage (with a higher loan-to-deposit ratio to 58%) and higher loan growth. Net trading income (excluding margin trading transactions) grew well at 40% YoY and 36% QoQ. However, the unusually high tax rate in 1Q16 and the continuing high cost-to-income ratio following the bank’s expansion stage were the main earnings pressures for 1Q16.
Asset quality for 1Q16 improved QoQ but still needs a close watch
The bank’s NPLs in 1Q16 declined slightly QoQ to LAK273bn from LAK289bn in 4Q15, while the NPL ratio declined QoQ to 2.14% of loans from 2.62% as loans hiked sharply 15% QoQ. Despite the NPL drop, the bank still set a higher provision at LAK36bn in 1Q16. This resulted in a higher reserve-to-NPL ratio to 112% vs. 93% in 4Q15. However, we still have to keep a watch on the bank’s consistency with respect to the control of asset quality, which was quite volatile in 2015. Note also that we saw higher accrued interest (+17% QoQ) in 1Q16, which could imply higher NPLs for the following quarters if these loans cannot be resolved on time. Its capital adequacy ratio of 5.2% in 1Q16 remained below the BOL’s minimum requirement of 8%.
Fine-tune earnings forecasts with the latest results
We fine-tune our earnings forecasts for BCEL to reflect the latest 2015 and 1Q16 results with a small adjustment in net profit for 2016-17E; see figure 2. The main revisions are 1) higher loan growth and NIM; and 2) an adjustment for lower non-interest income, mainly on lower gain on margin trading transactions and lower net fee income on much higher fee expenses in 1Q16. Given the insignificant adjustment of our net profit forecasts, we maintain the 16E target price at LAK6,000/share.