Astra International ASII IJ - Buy - Assessing the drivers of Astras profit
In autos, as discussed in our previous Anchor Report, Shifting gears —
Automobiles n Components JT GH 325 11th Nov, 2024
9M24 results review
Indonesia’s automotive and transport sector has reported relatively strong results for 9M24 despite weak 4W sales. Adi Sarana Armada (ASSA IJ, Buy), Astra Otoparts (AUTO IJ, Buy), Seatmate Sempurna (SMSM IJ, Buy) and Blue Bird (BIRD IJ, Buy) have beaten our and consensus estimates – benefiting from consumer downtrading and strong market leadership, in our view.
Autos: picking the winners amid downtrading trend
We believe the trend of down trading will remain until the government provides stimulus to the industry (such as tax incentive). As such, we expect companies under our coverage to continue to benefit.
1) ASSA – benefiting from the sales of used cars through Autopedia Sukses Lestari (ASLC IJ; Not rated) – as consumers opted to buy used cars rather than new cars (see our research on used car market’s rising share here).
2) AUTO – benefiting from the delay in purchases of new cars (thus consumers buying after-market spare parts from AUTO),
3) SMSM has also benefitted from parts changes such as filter and radiator, on top of its cost efficiency measures. We note SMSM booked record profit in 3Q24.
Specifically on ASSA, we believe the cost-cutting measures in Anteraja business and also initiatives on logistics have started to yield fruit in 3Q24, given the record profit achievement in 3Q24.
Transport: market leadership matters
BIRD posted strong topline (+13% yoy) and bottom-line (+21% yoy) growth for 9M24, driven by its market leading position in the taxi industry and thus, ability to command price increases. We also attribute the strong results to its strong execution in the non-taxi segment, particularly in the corporate segment, and intercity transport.
Remain Bullish on the sector
Until the government provides stimulus to the sector that could induce production, we prefer stocks that can capture the downtrading trend. Our top picks: ASSA, AUTO, BIRD, and SMSM.
Our TP of IDR1,200 for ASSA is derived using an SOTP valuation, implying a FY24F P/E of 10x.
For AUTO, our TP of IDR 2,650 is based on DCF valuation, assuming WACC of 10.8% and a terminal growth rate of 2.0%. At our TP, AUTO would trade at a 2024F P/E of 7.3x.
We value BIRD using DCF methodology, assuming a 6.5% risk-free rate, a 7.2% equity risk premium, beta of 1.0 and a 1.5% terminal growth rate. At our TP of IDR2,250, BIRD would trade at 11.5x FY24F P/E vs 8.7x 2024F P/E currently, and average of 2015-19 and 2022 P/E at 17x.
For SMSM, our TP of IDR 2,400 is based on DCF valuation with a WACC of 10.7% and terminal growth rate of 2.0%. At our TP, SMSM would trade at 14.2x FY24F P/E.
Astra International (ASII IJ; Buy): Driven by record profit from UNTR, Fincos, and AHM
ASII reported 9M24 results with revenue of IDR 246tn, up +2.2% yoy, while NPAT reached IDR 25.8tn, up +0.6% yoy, above both our and Bloomberg consensus estimates. The weak performance of the 4W segment was offset by strong contributions from Fincos and UNTR (United Tractors, Not rated). Associates’ income, which came in at IDR 7.7tn (+7% yoy), therefore provided significant support to the bottom line and somewhat offset ongoing challenges in the 4W segment. The auto segment profit was down 7% yoy. 2W profit was up +20% yoy to IDR5tn, while 4W profit declined 4% yoy to IDR 2.4tn. The financial services segment posted record-high NPAT growth of +6.4% yoy to IDR 6.2 tn, driven by strong demand for vehicle financing. UNTR also made record NPAT on improved performance across its subsidiaries. Associates' income reached a high net profit backed by the record profit of Astra Honda Motor (unlisted)partly driven by consumer downtrading from LCGC into high-end 2W. Our Buy rating continues to be underpinned by the diversified business model of ASII, given its strong positioning for growth amid sector shifts.
Astra Otopars (AUTO IJ, Buy): Record associates' income - Beneficiary of downtrading
AUTO delivered robust 9M24 results, with NPAT up +17% yoy to IDR1.3tn, in line with the Bloomberg consensus and ahead of our estimate, underpinned by strong growth in both the trading segment and associates' income. The manufacturing segment remained under pressure, with 9M24 revenue at IDR 8.2tn versus IDR 8.6tn in 9M23 (-5.2% yoy). Trading revenue was up by +10% yoy to IDR 7tn, while GP stood at IDR 1.6tn (+9% yoy). Meanwhile, the revenue of the manufacturing segment declined 5.2% yoy to IDR 8.2tn; however, GP for manufacturing fell 20% yoy to IDR 657bn. Associates' income reached a record high of IDR 748bn, up 13% yoy, driven by export growth, which in turn gave substantial support to AUTO's bottom line. This strength in both the trading and associates' segments reinforces our Buy rating.
Selamat Sempurna (SMSM IJ, Buy): Record profit in 3Q24
SMSM delivered robust 9M24 results, with revenue growing +1.4% yoy to IDR3.8tn and NPAT rising +4.5% yoy to IDR 720bn, a record quarterly high and in line with our estimates. The growth came from solid performances across the filter, trading, and radiator segments. The filter segment recorded revenue of IDR 2.8tn (+4.1% yoy), while the trading segment booked revenue of IDR 1.2tn (+11% yoy). Revenue for the radiator segment grew the most, reaching IDR 410bn (+24% yoy). SMSM's earnings stability supports our Buy rating.
Blue Bird (BIRD IJ, Buy): Strong 3Q24 driven by non-taxi segment growth and higher ARPV
BIRD delivered solid 9M24 results, with revenue rising by +13% yoy to IDR 3.7tn, driven mainly by a strong performance in the non-taxi segment, which exceeded both Bloomberg consensus and our estimates. NPAT increased by +21% yoy to IDR 436bn, backed by higher gross and operating profit margins. Meanwhile, non-taxi surged significantly by +32% yoy to IDR 1tn, driven by Golden Bird and intercity transport services. The revenue from the taxi segment grew modestly by only +7.4% yoy to IDR 2.6tn. Gross profit rose +15% yoy to IDR 1.2tn. The overall gross profit margin reached 32%. Overall, the company's efforts to raise ARPV continue to bear fruit as far as profitability is concerned and support our Buy rating.
Dharma Polimetal (DRMA IJ, Buy): Strong 3Q24 driven by 2W and associates
DRMA posted a strong 9M24, where topline declined 5.3% yoy to IDR 4tn and NPAT fell 11% yoy to IDR 412bn. However, the 3Q24 performance was encouraging, with top line +20% qoq and bottom-line +69% qoq, on the back of robust 2W revenue growth of +19% yoy to IDR 879bn, while the 4W segment remained weak (-33% yoy but +21% qoq) in 3Q24. The results were below the Bloomberg consensus but in line with our estimates. Kyungshin (DRMA's associate)also had a significant rebound, where NP grew +593% yoy (export-led) in 3Q24. The robust earnings in 3Q24 present a promising outlook for further growth for DRMA, in our view.
Mitra Pinasthika Mustika (MPMX IJ, rating): Beneficiary of downtrading but profitability impacted by multifinance
MPMX posted strong 9M24 revenue growth of +13% yoy to IDR 11.8tn driven by strong contributions from the 2W distribution and insurance segments of +13% yoy and +15% yoy, respectively, in line with our estimates. NPAT reached IDR 441bn, up 4.5% from the previous year. MPM Rent stood at IDR 1tn, increasing by 4.6% yoy. For the multifinance segment, JACCS MPM Finance posted revenue of IDR 1tn, decreasing by 16% YoY, with a net loss of IDR 72bn due to lower purchasing power. Nonetheless, such diversification for MPMX remains a source of stability. Thus, we maintain our Buy rating for this stock.
ASSA IJ: Highest-ever quarterly net profit
ASSA delivered robust 9M24 results, with the bottom line growing +86% yoy to IDR213bn and top line growing 5.2% yoy to IDR3.6tn, driven by growth and cost efficiencies across all business segments, beating both Bloomberg consensus and our estimates. Revenue for 3Q24 rose +19% yoy to IDR 1.3tn driven by growth in the rental car business. Revenue at ASSA Rent remained flat at IDR 518bn, up +2.8% yoy. However, EBITDA rose +58% yoy to IDR 409bn this quarter, while the gross profit margin improved to 31% from 28% in 2Q24. ROE also improved to 7.6% from 5.9% in 2Q24. We believe ASSA's end-to-end logistics solutions are bearing fruit and further client growth is expected in the upcoming quarters. We maintain our Buy rating.
INVESTMENT RATINGS
A rating of ‘Buy’, indicates that the analyst expects the stock to outperform the Benchmark over the next 12 months. A rating of ‘Neutral’, indicates that the analyst expects the stock to perform in line with the Benchmark over the next 12 months. A rating of ‘Reduce’, indicates that the analyst expects the stock to underperform the Benchmark over the next 12 months. A rating of ‘Suspended’, indicates that the rating, target price, and estimates have been suspended temporarily to comply with applicable regulations and/or firm policies. Securities and/or companies that are labelled as ‘Not Rated’ or ‘No Rating’ are not in regular research coverage. Benchmark is Indonesia Composite Index (‘IDX Composite’). A ‘Target Price’, if discussed, indicates the analyst’s forecast for the share price with a 12-month time horizon, reflecting in part of the analyst’s estimates for the company’s earnings, and may be impeded by general market and macroeconomic trends, and by other risks related to the company or the market in general.
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Jupriadi Tan (jupriadi.tam@verdhana.id)
Gerald Hugo (gerald.hugo@verdhana.id)