not vested
ComfortDelGro Corporation ($2.62, up 1.0 cent) reported an inline set of results with 3Q14 revenue grew by 6.0% yoy to $1.037 bln given broad-based growth as practically all business segments registering increases in the topline.
However, we note that actual revenue growth of $44.6 mln was boosted by a positive foreign currency translation of $14.3 mln due to the stronger Sterling Pound.
Revenue from the group’s overseas operations accounted for 40.3% of its overall revenue.
On a segmental basis, revenue from the group’s Bus Business was $528.1m for 3Q14 (+4.9% yoy), mainly attributed to the UK Bus Business with $24.8mln and the Singapore Bus Business with $21.0mln offset by the decrease from the Australia Bus Business with $21.0mln.
Management said its subsidiary SBS Transit will be tendering for the upcoming Bulim bus package, with results expected to be announced in 2Q15.
The better-than-expected performance came from the Rail Business which saw revenue jumping 21.4% yoy to $51.0mln for 3Q14, driven by contribution from Downtown Line (DTL) 1 and increases in average daily ridership and average fare.
Average daily ridership for the North-East Line also grew by 7.1% to 527K passenger trips and that for the two Light Rail Transit systems rose by 9.5% to 89K passenger trips.
Average daily ridership for DTL1 was 68K passenger trips for 3Q14.
Amid rising operating cost pressures, net profi t still managed to increase by 5.3% to $80.8 mln.
We understand that ComfortDelgro has taken advantage of the recent slide in fuel prices to lock in cheap hedging positions at lower rates than the previous year.
Notably, about 60% and 70% of its diesel requirements for the rest of 2014 and its 2015 usage have already been hedged respectively.
ComfortDelgro continues to generate strong free cash fl ow with balance sheet remains healthy. After accounting for the borrowings of $733.4m, the group had a net cash position of $15.4m. Its gross gearing ratio was 25.5% as at end-Sept 2014 (from 28.9% a year earlier).
Compared to SMRT, valuation is relatively undemanding at 19.5x FY14 and 18x FY15 P/E. We also see room for the group to potentially increase its dividends payout going forward. Maintain Buy.
Source: Lim & Tan