BAT has just announced its results for QE30/6/2012. Its net profit increased by 13.5% q-o-q or 19.8% y-o-y to RM221 million while turnover increased 2.4% q-o-q & y-o-y to RM1.07 billion. The continued improvement in bottom-line was attributable to lower distribution cost after the change in distribution model in 2011 and the absence of merchandising depreciation following to a change in accounting treatment in Q4 2011.
Table: BAT's last 8 quarterly results
Chart 1: BAT's last 22 quarterly results
Valuation
BAT (closed at RM56.72 yesterday) is now trading at a PE of 22 times (based on the last 4 quarters' ESP of RM2.56). Compared to Nestle, which is trading at a PE of 30 times, BAT's current PE multiple could expand to 25 times- giving BAT an upside potential of 15%.
Technical Outlook
BAT broke above its range of RM44 & RM50 in January 2012 and it could continue with its multi-year uptrend. See Chart 2 & 3 below.
Chart 2: BAT's monthly chart from July 2002 to July 18, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)
Chart 3: BAT's monthly chart from November 1993 to July 18, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)
Conclusion
Based on continued improvement in financial performance & positive technical outlook, BAT's present uptrend is expected to continue.
No comments:
Post a Comment