Business

Published: Thursday July 5, 2012 MYT 3:00:00 PM
Updated: Thursday July 5, 2012 MYT 4:03:09 PM

Public Invest Research has Trading Sell on Can-One


KUALA LUMPUR: Public Invest Research has a Trading Sell call on Can-One following the surge in its share price after securing a 32.9% stake in Kian Joo Can Factory Bhd.

It said on Thursday that following its recent meeting with the senior management of Can-One, the latter were fairly optimistic on the prospects and of KJC and subsidiary Box-Pak.

Public Invest Research said the 100% surge in share price after securing the KJC stake and a further 50% movement on the back of renewed interest in the stock has led us to deem the stock "fully valued" and its Trading Sell call.

"Instead, focus should now be on KJC, with which further value needs to be derived to make the acquisition a complete success, and presents greater levels of upside from current levels," it said.

Public Invest Research said the medium term prospects would be driven by its food business (sweetened condensed milk) which is increasingly making up a larger portion of revenue and earnings contribution to the group.

While promising, and with potential capacity to increase earnings contribution from this division by a conservative 30%, there's no concrete reflection of this as yet given its subdued 1Q12 net profit y-o-y growth (ex-exceptional income).

It also said the group had no plans to grow its tin can business in a significant way, preferring instead to utilise KJC's excess capacity as and when the need arises. Focus will be on its jerry can and flexible packaging businesses.

The research house also said while the acquisition of KJC was undoubtedly positive for Can-One but benefits at this point can only be derived from higher equity-accounted earnings and dividend income, both of which point to the imperative need of KJC's earnings being driven higher from current levels.

"The RM240mil cost along with associated interest costs is still a hefty amount to re-pay (RM40m per annum), despite the inherent benefits of this acquisition. After this recent share-price 'storm-in-a-teacup can', distinguishing potential from actual, our suggestion is for a switch into KJC.

“Investors should also be wary of a potential share overhang at current price levels as portfolio managers hold an estimated 25 million shares with a year-to-date gain of more than 200%," Public Invest Research said.

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