Thai Bev may be ripe for a bounce; BeerCo IPO potential near term catalyst (29 Mar 21)

Thai Bev has slumped 14% from an intraday high of $0.850 on 8 Feb to close $0.735 on 29 Mar 21. It is looking interesting again as it hovers around its strong confluence of supports from $0.715 – 0.725.

Personally, it seems ripe for a technical bounce. Besides the technical outlook, Thai Bev has the highest potential upside among the STI component stocks with a potential capital upside of around 21%!

What else is interesting about Thai Bev? Read on for more.

 

Interesting points on Thai Bev

a) Highest potential capital upside for STI component stock

With reference to this link (click HERE), Thai Bev has the highest potential upside among the STI component stocks with a potential capital upside of around 21%.

Based on Bloomberg (see Figure 1 below), there are 17 buy calls; one hold call and zero sell. Average analyst target is around $0.930, representing a potential capital upside of around 27%. Coupled with an estimated dividend yield of around 3.2%, total potential upside is around 30%.

Fig 1: Average analyst target price $0.930

Fig 1_Analyst 29 Mar 21

Source: Bloomberg 29 Mar 21

b) BeerCo – interesting prospects ahead

Based on a Goldman Sachs report dated 11 Feb 2021, they cited a new area mentioned by Thai Bev in the 1QFY21 presentation slides which highlighted BeerCo’s growth strategies. These growth strategies consist of “(1) potential strategic partnerships with other international brewers in Vietnam and Thailand, and (2) potential M&As in ASEAN markets such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, and stakes in associate/JV breweries in Vietnam.”

Based on an article on Bloomberg, Thai Bev may list BeerCo on Singapore bourse as early as 2Q2021 which may mark the largest IPO in Singapore since HPH Trust in 2011.

c) Analysts believe Thai Bev may trade to >= $1.15 on successful listing of BeerCo

Based on CIMB’s sum of parts calculation, they reckon that Thai Bev may be worth $1.17 / share based on the assumption of a US$10b valuation for BeerCo.

Similarly, OCBC and Maybank believe that Thai Bev may trade up to $1.15 and $1.24 respectively based on the assumption of a US$10b valuation for BeerCo. At $1.15, this represents a potential capital upside of around 56%!

d) Trades at attractive valuations

Based on Bloomberg, Thai Bev trades at 18.8x PE and 3.0x P/BV, slightly higher / lower than its 10Y average P/E and P/BV of around 18.0x PE and 3.9x P/BV respectively. In addition, its FY21F PE and FY21F P/BV are at an attractive 16.0x and 2.7x P/BV respectively.

e) Chart looks ripe for a technical bounce

Based on Chart 1 below, Thai Bev has just breached its 20D, 100D and 200D EMA with above average volume today. Indicators such as MACD are turning higher. A sustained breach above $0.765 with volume expansion is bullish for the chart. Conversely a sustained breakdown below $0.715 with volume expansion is bearish. Based on the current chart developments, odds of a bearish scenario are less likely.

Chart 1: Thai Bev seems ripe for a technical bounce 

Chart 1_Thai Bev chart 29 Mar 21

Source: InvestingNote 29 Mar 21

Near term supports: $0.725 / 0.715 / 0.700 – 0.705

Near term resistances: $0.740 / 0.760 – 0.765 / 0.780

 

Risks

Examples of some risks which Thai Bev needs to contend with are highlighted below.

a) Usual business risks

The usual business risks apply. For example, weaker than expected volume growth of products; higher than expected operating costs etc are likely to have an adverse effect on Thai Bev.

b) Regulatory risks

Thai Bev is the spirits and beer leader with No.1 market share in ASEAN. It has significant presence in Thailand and Vietnam. As such, it is exposed to both regulatory and political risks in these two areas. For example, the tightening of drink driving rules in Vietnam has resulted in a drop of at least 25% in beer sales in Vietnam according to a Maybank report dated 28 Mar 21.

c) Size, pricing and timing of the IPO for BeerCo

A smaller than expected size or lower than expected valuation for BeerCo may have an adverse impact on Thai Bev. In addition, any delay in the IPO may also cast a pallor on Thai Bev’s share price.

d) Resurgence of Covid 19 may affect demand for Thai Bev’s products

A resurgence of Covid 19 resulting in lockdown (or tightening of Covid 19 measures such as reduce operating hours or even closure for entertainment venues) is likely to have an adverse impact on demand for Thai Bev’s products.

 

Conclusion

Thai Bev, being the highest potential capital upside among the STI stocks, coupled with its IPO of BeerCo in the near term and a mildly bullish chart are some of the points which catch my attention. However, regulatory and business risks and the uncertainty of when its BeerCo will IPO (and at what valuations) are some of the risks that readers have to be aware of. Readers can refer to this link HERE for the analyst reports on Thai Bev.

P.S: I have already notified my clients on 17 Mar and this morning to take note of Thai Bev. I am vested.

 

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