TMCLife: Earnings Continued to Rise

Background

TMCLife Sciences Bhd ("TMCLife') is essentially involved in the operation of the Tropicana Medical Centre, Kota Damansara, a 180-bedded medical centre that provides complete services for fertility, women & children health.


Source: hospitals-malaysia.org

Result Update

For QE30/11/2017, TMCLife's PBT rose 23% q-o-q or 36% y-o-y to RM8.3 million while revenue rose 6% q-o-q or 15% y-oy- to RM42 million. PBT rose q-o-q mainly due to higher revenue achieved and higher EBITDA margin 23% as compared to 20% in QE31/8/2017.


Table: TMCLife's last 9 quarterly results


Graph: TMCLife's last 9 quarterly results

Valuation

TMCLife (closed at RM0.84 yesterday) is now trading at a PE of 53 times (based on annualized EPS of 1.6 sen). Based on an earning CAGR of 58% last year, TMCLife's PEG ratio is marginally below 1x. That makes TMCLife a fairly attractive growth stock.

Technical Outlook

TMCLife is in a long-term uptrend line, SS with support at RM0.77. It peaked at RM0.99 in late 2016 and early 2017 and dropped back to test its uptrend line, SS in at RM0.73 in September 2017. With the share price below the 10-month SMA line and MACD below the MACD signal line, TMCLife share price may continue to drift lower.


Chart: TMCLIfe's monthly chart as at Jan 29, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Conclusion

Based on improving financial performance, fairly attractive valuation for a growth stock and mildly positive technical outlook, TMCLife could still a good stock for long-term investment. Good entry will be below RM0.80.

Note:

I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.

MPI: Earnings Pulled Back

Result Update

For QE31/12/2017, MPI's net profit rose 14% q-o-q but dropped 25% y-o-y to RM41 million while revenue rose 2% q-o-q but dropped 2% y-o-y to RM395 million. PBT rose q-o-q due to higher overall revenue which rose due to 12%-increase in the revenue from the Europe segment which more than offset the 5%-decline in revenue from the America segment while revenue from the Asian segment was flattish.


Table: MPI's last 8 quarterly results


Graph: MPI's last 44 quarterly results 

Valuation

MPI (closed at RM11.24 yesterday) is now trading at a trailing PER of 13.4 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 85 sen). At this PER, MPI is deemed fairly valued. Its dividend yield is also decent at 2.6%.

Technical Outlook

MPI is in a long-term uptrend line, SS. However the share price has moved way above the uptrend line and appears to have formed a rounding top. If MPI breaks below RM10.70, it may slide to the psychological support of RM10.00; the next horizontal line at RM9.30 or the long-term uptrend line at RM8.70.


Chart: MPI's weekly chart as at Jan 29, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)  

Conclusion

Albeit the weaker financial performance, MPI remains a good stock for long-term investment. As long as earnings uptrend remains intact - due to strong demand for semiconductor - MPI remains a HOLD. It can be a buying opportunity if share price were to drop to RM10.

Note:

I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.

Astino: Uptrend May Continue

Result Update

In QE31/10/2017, Astino's net profit rose by 88% q-o-q or 71% y-o-y to RM9.5 million while its revenue rose by 12% q-o-q or 22% y-o-y to RM139 million. Revenue rose q-o-q primarily due to increase in local and oversea market demand.  PBT rose q-o-q mainly due to increase in sales and profit margin.

Astino's financial performance recovered from the sharp q-o-q drop in both revenue & profits in QE31/7/2017. In that quarter, revenue dropped q-o-q due to decrease in local market demand. PBT dropped q-o-q mainly due to allowance for diminution in value of inventories amounted to RM5.2 million and decrease in gross profit margin.

(Note: The results for QE31/10/2017 was announced on Dec 28, 2017.)


Table: Astino's last 8 quarters' results


Graph: Astino's last 42 quarters' results

Financial Position

Astino's financial position as at 31/10/2017 is deemed healthy with current ratio at 3.1x and gearing ratio at 0.3x.

Valuation

Astino (closed at RM1.10 last Friday) is now trading at a trailing PER of 7.9x (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 14.03 sen). At this PER, Astino is deemed reasonably valued.

Technical Outlook

Astino is in a long-term uptrend. Its recent peak was in July 2017 and thereafter the share price dropped due to poorer financial performance. See the monthly chart below.


Chart 1: Astino's monthly chart as at Jan 26, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

In early January, Astino broke above its intermediate downtrend line, RR at RM1.00-1.02. This may signal the start of its recovery. See the daily chart below.


Chart 2: Astino's daily chart as at Jan 26, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Conclusion

Based on improved financial performance, reasonable valuation and mildly bullish technical outlook, Astino could be a good stock for long-term investment.

Note:

I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.

Pantech: Earnings dipped sequentially

Result Update

For QE30/11/2017, Pantech's net profit dropped 14% q-o-q but rose 57% y-o-y to RM10 million while its revenue unchanged q-o-q but rose 58% y-o-y to RM157 million. Net profit dropped q-o-q mainly due to the trading mix and foreign exchange currency loss.


Table: Pantech's last 8 quarterly results


Graph: Pantech's last 44 quarterly results

Valuation

Pantech (closed at RM0.635 last Friday) is now trading at a PE of 10 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 6.37 sen). Dividend yield is decent at 3.9%. At these multiples, Pantech is priced fairly for a stock in the O&G sector where recovery is progressing slowly.

Technical Outlook

Pantech is in a large trading range, with a slight upward biasness. However, it is in an intermediate uptrend line, with support at RM0.63.


Chart 1: Pantech's monthly chart as at Jan 26, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)


Chart 2: Pantech's daily chart as at Jan 26, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Conclusion

Based satisfactory financial performance, fair valuation and mildly bullish technical outlook, Pantech is a good stock for long-term investment.

Note:

I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.

Sasbadi- Earnings Recovered

Background

Sasbadi Holdings Bhd ("Sasbadi") is a publisher of educational materials, undertaking print publishing as well as online publishing of educational materials based on the Malaysian National School Curriculum.  It is also involved in the distribution of applied learning products - miniature building blocks and mechanical, electrical and electronic components, as well as devices for measuring and analysing live signals, and software to create measurement and control systems - designed to provide hands-on learning experience to students. 

Diagram: Sasbadi's Main Businesses

Result Update

For QE30/11/2017, Sasbadi reported to a net profit of RM4.4 million as compared to a net loss of RM4.2 million in the immediate preceding quarter (QE31/8/2017). The turnaround was due to higher revenue & lower operating expenses.

The poor performance in QE31/8/2017 was due to a drop in revenue from the academic publishing subsidiaries d- partially due to a seasonally weaker quarter as well as weaker retail market. This decline was only partially offset by the increase in revenue of the online/digital products division - leading to an overall drop in revenue. In addition, the group incurred higher operating costs in QE31/8/2017 due to the consolidation of the United Publishing Group's full quarter results, impairment loss on trade receivables, and increased interest expense arising from higher gearing.

(Note: This latest quarterly result was announced on Jan 18.)


Table: Sasbadi's last 8 quarters' financial performance


Graph: Sasbadi's last 14 quarters' financial performance

Financial Position

As at 30/11/2017, Sasbadi's financial position is deemed satisfactory with current ratio at 3.1x and gearing ratio at 0.50x.

Valuation

Sasbadi (closed at RM0.605 yesterday) is now trading at a trailing PER of 21 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 2.89 sen). However, if we were to exclude the exceptional loss from QE31/8/2017, the 4 quarters' EPS could be raised to 5.0-5.5 sen. Based on a full year EPS of 5 sen, Sasbadi's PER would be 12 times. At this adjusted PER of 12 times, Sasbadi looks fairly attractive.

Technical Outlook

Sasbadi share price is moving within a large expanding triangle. As noted in the past, an expanding triangle is an unusual price pattern where the bulls get more bullish over times while the bears get more bearish as well. At some point, the stalemate must be resolved. Failing which, the share price will move sideways or begin to converge. If we make the fair assumption that the price will stay within the triangle, then the next likely movement is for the share price to rise up to the middle line. Thus the stock could be a good buy at the current price of RM0.60.


Chart: Sasbadi's weekly chart as at Jan24, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Conclusion

Based on satisfactory financial performance & position and reasonable valuation, Sasbadi is a good stock for long-term investment.

Note:
I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.

ANNJOO: At the Uptrend Line!

In the past 2 years, Annjoo enjoyed a price run-up of more than 6 folds, from 60 sen to almost RM4.00. This makes Annjoo the best performing steel producer in our market.

Annjoo's share price has pulled back to its uptrend line in the current correction. If you stick to the rule that a trend remains intact until it has reverse, then this would be a buying opportunity. While indicators - like ADX & MACD - are cautioning against possible break of the uptrend line, until that has happened the trend remains intact.    

Chart 1: ANNJOO's weekly chart as at Jan 16, 2018 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Why did Annjoo drop so much in the past 2 weeks? The drop in Annjoo's share price could be due to the correction in steel rebar prices in China in the past 2 months. Rebar prices peaked at 4950 yuan in December last year, and is now trading at 3800 yuan- a drop of 25%!


Chart 2: China Steel Rebar Price chart as at Jan 16, 2018 (Source:Sunsirs.com)

Is this a short-term correction or has steel rebar prices peaked? Looking at the chart below, we can see that the last 2 years rally is fairly similarly to the 200-2008 rally which ended during the Global Financial Crisis. While there is no crisis on the horizon, a reversal in the price uptrend could lead to lower steel prices and lower earning for steel companies.


Chart 3: Global Steel Rebar Price chart as at Jan8, 2018 (Source: Steelbenchmarker.com)

Based on the above, we must be careful to avoid over-exposing ourselves to a sector that's in peak earning today. As for Annjoo, you would have to monitor closely and be prepared to take the necessary action to reduce your position in the event the share price breached the uptrend line at RM3.60.

Market Outlook as at January 11, 2017

As at 12.05pm, FBMKLCI was down 8 points to 1815. The scoreboard showed 180 gainers to 730 losers. Many investors who wanted a correction after a strong rally, seem to have second thoughts. It all goes to show that no one wants correction. Period!

Looking at the daily chart, I believe that this correction has gone far enough to whine off excessive bullishness that we saw over the past 2 weeks. I believe FBMKLCI will soon find support at the 10-day SMA line at 1807. Failing which, it may test the psychological 1800 level. If the index is going into its next upleg, that market should stabilize by then.


Chart 1: FBMKLCI's daily chart as at Jan 11, 2018_12.05 (Source: Shareinvestor.com)

Looking at the weekly chart, we can see that FBMKLCI has broken above the intermediate downtrend line, RR that stretches back to 2014. This breakout is the reason for the strong rally in the past 2 weeks. The correction has set in after the index hit the parallel line, R1-R1 at 1820.


Chart 2: FBMKLCI's weekly chart as at Jan 10, 2018(Source: Shareinvestor.com)

Based on the bullish breakout of the intermediate downtrend line, R1-R1 and my earlier market expectation, I think that this correction is an opportunity to buy or add to your position to ride the upleg. Good luck!

Evergrn: Awaiting Earnings Recovery

Results Update

In QE30/9/201, Evergrn's net profit rose 144% q-o-q but dropped 11% y-o-y to RM15.1 million while revenue rose 0.4% q-o-q or 7% y-o-y to RM260 million. Its  revenue increased q-o-q mainly due to commercial run of new Particle Board Plant in Segamat. Its profit before tax increased q-o-q mainly due to production efficiency and effective cost measures of new Particle Board Plant in Segamat.


Table: Evergrn's last 8 quarters' financial performance


Graph: Evergrn's last 51 quarters' financial performance

Financial Position

As at 30/9/2017, Evergrn's financial position is deemed satisfactory with current ratio at 2.05 times and gearing ratio at 0.34 time.

Valuation

Evergrn (closed at RM0.69 last Friday) is now trading at a trailing PER of 12 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 5.87 sen. At this PER, Evergrn is still deemed fairly valued.

Technical Outlook

Evergrn has been in a slow decline after it peaked at RM1.68 in January 2016. The decline takes the form of a downward channel, with the lower line at RM0.65 providing support. 



Chart: Evergrn's weekly chart as at Jan 5, 2017 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Conclusion

Based on satisfactory financial performance & position and reasonable valuation, Evergrn is a good stock for long-term investment. However, its share price recovery will only begin once earnings begin to improve noticeably.

Note:
I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.

Market Outlook as at Jan 9, 2018

For the past 2 weeks, the market has been so charged up that many investors are blindsided and left standing at the sideline. Many are like the bears that had recently awaken from their hibernation, and standing in the Adams River in a full-blown salmon run. 

Today I will not talk about what stocks to buy. You have to look through the charts to get ideas on trading or investing. FBMKLCI has broken above the June 2017 high of 1795 as well as the psychological 1800 level. While correction may come any time now - and correction is not a bad thing - I believe any correction will not be long and deep. The market has an appointment to meet: 1900 sometime this year. That's not all! I believe that our market could potentially peak only in 2019. See my earlier market outlook (here).

Chart 1: FBMKLCI's daily chart as at Jan 6, 2018 (Source: Shareinvestor.com) 


Chart 2: FBMKLCI's monthly chart as at Jan 6, 2018 (Source: Shareinvestor.com) 

My July 2017 bullish market outlook is predicated on two assumptions:
1. US markets, which are at all time high, shall avoid a crash.
2. MYR shall avoid another bout of weakening.

From Chart 3 below, we can see that USD-MYR is now in a downtrend, with MACD below the zero line and the +DMI  and ADX are rising fast.


Chart 3: USD-MYR's weekly chart as at Jan 6, 2018 (Source: Investing.com) 

Some investors believe that MYR recovery is due to the improvement in crude oil prices. This may be true, and we can see that Brent crude oil prices are on a steady increase. However I believe the USD67-69 will be a strong resistance which may cap price rise for the next 2-3 months.


Chart 4: Brent's weekly chart as at Jan 6, 2018 (Source: Investing.com) 

If you are sitting on a pile of cash, this is a good time to lose the cash. By that, I mean you deploy your cash quickly in the market. Good luck!!

Harta: Earnings Shot Up!!

Result Update

For QE30/9/2017, Harta's net profit rose 18% q-o-q or 59% y-o-y to RM113 million while revenue was mixed - down 3% q-o-q but up 34% y-o-y - to RM585 million. Revenue dropped q-o-q mainly due to lower average selling price arising from more competitive pricing but the sales volume increased by 5.2% due to increase in demand. PBT rose q-o-q mainly due to lower nitrile and latex cost, lower chemical cost and improvement in operation efficiency.


 Table: Harta's last 8 quarterly results


Graph: Harta's last 40 quarterly results

Valuation

Harta (closed at RM10.68 last Friday) is trading at a trailing PER of 48 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 22.21 sen). At this PER, Harta has surpassed Nestle in term of trailing PER. At RM103.20, Nestle's trailing PER is now at 42 times!

Technical Outlook

Harta broke above a upward "Cup with handle" formation at RM7.80. Assuming a 1-to-1 extension, Harta should reach a high of RM10.20. Well it did better than that. It overshot the RM11.00 before correction set in. How long will correction last? Only time will tell.


Chart: Harta's weekly chart as at Dec 29, 2017 (Source: Malaysiastock.biz)

Conclusion

Based on improved operating performance, strong leadership in the glove sector and capable management team, Harta is considered a good stock for long-term investment. Its rating is kept at HOLD due to its demanding valuation.

Note:
I hereby confirm that I do not have any direct interest in the security or securities mentioned in this post. However, I could have an indirect interest in the security or securities mentioned as some of my clients may have an interest in the acquisition or disposal of the aforementioned security or securities. As investor, you should fully research any security before making an investment decision.