PETALING JAYA: Taliworks Corp Bhd , known for its defensive earnings base and attractive dividend yield, is expected to see average daily traffic (ADT) for both its toll roads to improve. This will support earnings recovery moving forward.
The public utility group is also likely to see robust earnings contribution from its water and waste segment, according to RHB Research.
Taliworks recorded third quarter (Q3 2021) core profit after tax after minority interest (Patami) of RM35.9mil, up 112% year-on-year, largely boosted by the RM43.5mil cash compensation from the government, for the non-increase in 2020’s Grand Saga highway scheduled toll hikes.
This brought core Patami for the nine-month period to RM57.2mil, which was “at 104% and 89% of our and street’s expectations”, said RHB Research.
A 1.65 sen third interim dividend was declared for the quarter, bringing nine months’ dividends to 4.95 sen.
The research firm said its nine months 2021 core Patami excludes the write-back of overprovision for heavy repairs of RM2.8mil from Grand Saga, and gains on disposal of Taliworks Langkawi’s property, plant and equipment and sundry income of RM2.7mil in Q3 of 2021, amongst others.
It noted that both toll roads saw weaker Q3 2021 ADT due to the travel restrictions from June 1, but the water treatment, supply and distribution segment recorded steady core earnings before interest and taxes.
“Meanwhile, its waste-management associate continues to achieve higher revenue on the back of better solid waste collection and public cleansing services performed, while operational expenditure narrowed on lower depreciation charges and subcontractor costs,” added RHB Research.
Following this the research firm said that it is raising FY21-FY23 forecast earnings by 30%, 11% and 13%, respectively.
Valuation wise, the stock is trading at 10.4 times FY22 EV/Ebitda (enterprise value/earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation).
This comes “at -1.4 standard deviation from its five-year average rolling forward mean, which we think is attractive, considering the high dividend yield of 8%.”
Meanwhile CGS CIMB Research noted that Taliworks has confirmed that it has submitted its tender for the Sg Rasau Water Supply Scheme in Selangor.
The project award decision is likely by end-2021 and it believes that the company has a fair chance of securing a portion of the water treatment plant works, given its experience in Sungai Selangor Phase 1.
The research firm said that it raised FY21 forecast earnings per share (EPS) by 17% to account for the toll compensation, but FY22 forecast EPS is cut by 2.6% to reflect the one-off 33% prosperity tax announced in Budget 2022, which will impact associate SWM Environment Holdings.
It reiterates its add call on the stock and raised target price to 96 sen.
Potential re-rating catalysts include stronger earnings post completion of the delayed solar venture and revival of water contract wins.