BJAuto: Earning Dipped Sequentially

Results Update

For QE31/1/2016, BJAuto's net profit dropped 22.8% q-o-q or 12.2% y-o-y to RM41 million while revenue was mix: dropped 3.7% q-o-q but rose 34.4% y-o-y to RM523 million. Revenue dropped by 3.7% q-o-q due  to lower sales volume recorded by both local and the Philippine operations. In line with lower revenue, pre-tax profit for the current quarter dropped by 21.0% q-o-q due to reduced gross profit margin caused by higher vehicle cost in Malaysia as Ringgit Malaysia continues to depreciate against Japanese Yen and higher spending on promotion related expenses in Malaysia.


Table: BJAuto's last 8 quarters' financial performance

Going forward, I see revenue to stay flat - unlike past 2nd-4th quarter revenue growth - buyers brought forward their purchases for fear of price hike in later part of 2016. Earnings may inch up as the strengthening of MYR would help to shore up the company's profit margin.


Chart 1: BJAuto's last 15 quarters' financial performance

Valuation

BJAuto (closed at RM2.19 last Friday) has a PER of 12.4 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 17.7 sen). At this PER, BJAuto is deemed fairly valued.

Technical Outlook

BJAuto is now consolidating in a triangle, ABCD. A breakout of this triangle will point the way forward for the stock.


Chart 2: BJAuto's weekly chart as at Mar 11, 2016 (Source: Share Investors)

Conclusion

Notwithstanding the sequential dip in its earning, BJAuto's rating is kept as a HOLD based fair valuation and prospects for improved earning ahead.

Note: 
In addition to the disclaimer in the preamble to my blog, I hereby confirm that I do not have any relevant interest in, or any interest in the acquisition or disposal of, BJAuto.