FIGURE 1: MEGA FIRST CORP BHD LAST 5 YEARS SHARE PRICE TREND
**analysis based on 2018 annual report.
1. GENERAL INTRO: MEGA FIRST CORP BHD (MFCB) is an investment
holding company. The group is organised into three main business
segments as follows - Power, Resources, and Property. The Power segment
builds, owns and operates power plants. The Resources segment is engaged
in quarrying of limestone manufacturing and trading of lime products,
calcium carbonate powder, and bricks. The Property segment is engaged in
the property development and property investment. Its primary
geographic markets are Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Australia, New
Zealand and other countries. The majority of its revenue is derived from
Laos.
2. NOTABLE POINTS:
a. In 2018 report, MFCB’s net profit registered a 12.7% decline
to RM145.8 million (2017: RM167.0 million). This was primarily due to
the expiry of the Sino-foreign Joint Venture in China on 22 October 2017
and Power Purchase Agreement in Sabah on 2 December 2017 which were not
extended for commercial reasons. The two discontinued power plant
operations registered a RM13.7 million loss in 2018 (mainly due to
oneoff impairment charges), compared to a profit of RM15.0 million in
2017.
b. Power Division: the completion of the Don Sahong Hydropower
Project (“Don Sahong”) in Laos PDR by the end of 2019 which is expected
to bring the Group’s profits and cash flows to new heights from 2020 and
onwards. Don Sahong is the Group’s first foray into the renewable energy
sector and will become the main income generator for the Group in the
coming years.
c. Resources Division: The RM110 million expansion programme of
the Resources Division which started in 2015 is now complete with Kiln 8
ready for commissioning in December 2018. Compared to 2015, we have in
total increased kiln capacity by 1,200 tonne per day to 1,960 tonne per
day at present. With the expansion, the Group now operates one of the
largest lime manufacturing operations in Malaysia.
d. Property Division: Given the continuing weak property market
condition in Malaysia, the Group does not intend to restart its
development segment, which has been suspended since 2015. At the end of
2018, the Group has RM11 million worth of unsold property inventory.
Efforts will continue to sell the remaining completed property units in
2019. Rental income from PJ8 and Greentown carparks is expected to
remain stable.
3. IS THIS COUNTER A STRONG GROWTH STOCK?
a. REVENUE RANGE (RM million): 871.4 million as reported in 2018 annual report, this is a medium revenue company.
b. SHARE PRICE: from 2015-2020, share price increased from ~ RM2.00 to RM5.00.
c. EARNING PER SHARE (EPS): earning per share in last 5 years was overall rising, increasing from 27.5 to 33sen
d. FUTURE POTENTIAL/PROSPECTS: share price expect to be stable in the next few years
e. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (CAPEX): spending on purchase of new
fixed assets is RM 419.8 million, around 16% of total assets.
Expenditure is mainly for the building of the new power plant in Laos.
4. IS THIS A STRONG DIVIDEND STOCK?
a. DIVIDEND YIELD: in 2018 financial year, MFCB declared a
dividend payout of 4 sen per share to shareholders, which amounts to a
dividend yield of 0.72%. Last five years dividend yields ranged from
0.72% to 3.3%.
b. DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO: Hence, in 2018 financial year, MFCB
paid out 13% of its earnings to shareholders in the form of dividend.
c. CONSISTENCY: the dividend payout was consistent, the
dividend paid to shareholders in the last five years ranged from 4 to 8
sen.
5. IS THE MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GOOD?
a. RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE): in 2018 financial year, MFCB
reported a moderate return of shareholders’ equity, at 9.6%. last five
years ROE ranged from 8.9 to 11.2%
b. COST-TO-INCOME RATIO: cost-to-income ratio is high, at 342%.
6. OTHER INDICATORS:
a. CASH FLOW: cash flow is positive, around RM 122.1 million, equivalent to RM 0.30 per share.
b. SUPPORT BY INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS: this counter is well
supported by institutional investors, there are 20 institutional
investors at top 30 major shareholders list, including few insurance
companies/investment funds. Its major shareholders is Rubber Thread
Industries (M) Sdn Berhad (24.12%).
Disclaimer: The content of the blog posts are for sharing purpose
only. Readers are encouraged to carry out further research and analysis
as well as follow up latest update information before making any
investment decisions.
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