Construction Industry- Different Approaches to Growth

While 2019 might not be a prosperous year for the construction industry, leading companies have different approaches towards growth which are interesting to highlight. Indeed, Q1 business results show that many civil construction contractors will need higher growth in the remaining quarters to achieve their 2019 targets. Looking at CTD, Ricons, HBC and HTN’s performance, we noticed interesting differences in views and strategies regarding the construction business in 2019.

China’s capital outflow is likely to continue

• We notice a negative relationship between the USD/CNY onshore and China’s capital outflows
• China’s capital outflows recorded the highest number ever in 2015, USD 896 bn
• China introduced a series of regulations to control flows. This helped to reduce capital outflows by 46% YoY in 2017. Still, more than 2.8 trillion dollars left the country since 2014
• As the conflict continues; further currency pressures are expected possibly leading to further outflows. Capital outflows from China reached USD 4 bn YTD through ETF channel.
• Capital controls negatively impacted China’s outward FDI. Prior to these measures, outward FDI had an average annual growth rate of 20% from 2009 to 2016 until it dropped 29% YoY in 2017.
• Vietnam is favored by Chinese investors due to its low labor costs, geography, and culture. China outward FDI to Vietnam has risen for five consecutive years since 2014 despite the capital controls and noticeable slump in 2014-2015 over naval tensions in the East Sea.

HDB – 1Q2019 Business Results and 2019 AGM Updates

We maintain our view that HDB has some advantages in retail lending including a diversified customer ecosystem and close relationship with strategic partners. However, the bank will need to exploit this ecosystem more effectively if it wants to keep up high growth and expand NIMs.

HDB set an ambitious PBT growth target of 27% YoY based on aggressive credit expansion (+24% YoY) for which it has no SBV approval. While the merger with PGBank is still pending, service income and CASA must seek other growth drivers in the near term. Given the bank’s plan to open 23 more branches/TOs, maintain the largest consumer finance network, launch new digital banking products, and clear all VAMC bonds, we expect pressure on operating costs and provision expenses to persist. In short, we believe the 27% PBT growth target will be challenging.

HDB is currently trading at VND27,000 (closing price on May 17^th), equivalent to a trailing P/B of 1.7x, a bit higher than industry average (1.5x, excluding VCB). We consider reducing our current target price (VND 34,000). Detailed 2019 forecasts and target price will be included in our upcoming report.

REE – Well poised for large M&A disbursements

In summary, although the recent updates revealed a grey 2019 outlook, strong M&A disbursement implies that REE could regain its growth momentum from 2020 onward. Moreover, current weak supply in Ho Chi Minh City office market plays to their advantage. We expect REE’s 2019 earnings to remain flat but maintain our BUY recommendation with a target price of 48,400 VND/share.

Asian Central Banks’ Shift to More Dovish Policy Stance

Last week, three central banks, including Malaysia, Philippines and New Zealand decided to cut their policy interest rates by 25bps. We see more EM central banks turn dovish as their respective economies slow. Broadly speaking, we identify three groups, including 1) Countries that cut rates due to slower economic growth and inflation including China, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Philippines, 2) Countries that relax monetary conditions after hiking rates last year over inflation and currency pressures such as Indonesia and India, and 3) Countries that leave interest rates unchanged and seem to have had inflation under control such as Vietnam and Thailand.

Vincom Retail – Pivotal year for the development of Vincom Megamalls

Vincom Retail targets to open 13 new malls in 2019, adding 153,000 sqm of GFA, of which Vincom Center Tran Duy Hung launching in late-April is the key project. In addition, three new Vincom Megamalls as components of Vinhomes’ mega residential complexes are under construction, and expected to be put into operation in 2020-2021.

We estimate revenue and net profit in 2Q 2019 will be VND 2,136 billion and VND 685 billion respectively. Vincom Center Tran Duy Hung will contribute to total leasing revenue. FY2019 revenue and net profit are estimated at VND 9,276 billion (+1.7% YoY) and 2,927 billion (+21.7% YoY) respectively

BMI –AGM Update and 1Q2019 Results

We remain cautious to BMI's ability to complete its 2019 plan as the insurance business will take time to prove its effectiveness and the high proportion of stock investment in its current portfolio poses risks. At the April AGM, the 2019 plan was approved and the foreign ownership limit was raised to 100%, paving the way for divestment of two major shareholders namely SCIC and AXA. The foreign ownership removal could prove to be a catalyst for BMI stock price this year. However, the process of finding investors for the transfer of SCIC and AXA stakes will take time and is unlikely to be completed this year.

MWG Update – Begins to accelerate

We maintain our positive view on MWG. Despite the anticipated slowdown in mobile phone sales, the outlook for the electronics segment looks bright. Strategies to increase revenue and save costs are gradually starting to show results at Dien May Xanh . After years of finding the optimal model, the Bach Hoa Xanh chain is now expanding in provinces outside Ho Chi Minh City, resulting in high revenue growth. The company is also focused on optimizing logistics and negotiating with suppliers to increase its gross margins. Back Hoa Xanh has not yet generated profits for the company.

MWG shares are currently trading at a 2019 forward P/E of about 11 times, which is an attractive valuation for long-term investment purposes. We keep our BUY recommendation for MWG shares with target price of VND 125,000 / share.

Thaco Targets to Turn into A Holding Corporation

In summary, as the management showed their preference on a centralized structure at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), we believe that the management targets Thaco to become a holding company, in which the parent company will just focus on managing three subsidiaries, including Thaco automobile, Thadi and Dai Quang Minh.

Mechanics and automobile sector will remain the key earnings driver in the coming years while other businesses provide synergies and diversification benefits. Although the auto business may face stiff competition from imported cars in 2019, we still see strong long-term potential given industry growth and inner resources of the company.

Thaco plans large investments in agriculture but it is unlikely the sement will produce significant profits in the short term. As for the construction segment, legal issues related to Thu Thiem land are still under investigation. Until an official result is announced, downside risk for the real estate business remains. However, if resolved, the segment could become a significant catalyst for the company.

Logistics and commerce are supporting businesses but play a vital role in improving operational efficiencies.

Condominium market updates

A recent CBRE report summarizes the overall performance in condominium market in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Generally, the Ho Chi Minh’s market saw the worst results while Hanoi’s recorded one of the best quarters in the last three years.

Banks’ Credit Growth Limit in 2019

Given limited room to grow NIMs as well as less extraordinary income than before, banks will have to rely more on credit expansion. 

The SBV’s credit growth ceiling is an effective tool to control inflation and credit. However, it also limits the growth ability of even the smaller healthy banks and consumer finance companies that should be able to expand credit more aggressively while maintaining compliance to safety limits and ratios. We believe the very high credit targets set by some banks may be wishful thinking as quotas are unlikely to exceed 20%, as in 2018. For this year, many banks were or will be approved for Circular 41 early adoption, with much stricter capital requirements than current regulations. As such, we think it is more reasonable to let these banks manage their own credit limits, providing all safety limits and ratios are met.