Excerpts from RHB report
Analysts: Jarick Seet & Lee Cai Ling
Maintain BUY with unchanged SOP-based TP of SGD0.25, offering 63% upside. GSS reported a weak 1Q18, due to an increase in administrative and selling & distribution expenses, on higher drilling activities in 1Q18.
We remain hopeful of oil discovery at its P1 well, where drilling results should be out by the end of 2Q18. |
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Weak 1Q18 due to higher drilling expenses at the oil & gas arm. GSS Energy (GSS) reported weak 1Q18 results as its oil & gas arm is still loss-making due to the absence of revenue and higher drilling expenses (drilling activities were carried out in 1Q18), coupled with forex losses. Growth at the precision engineering (PE) business remained strong.
Its PE business continued to deliver strong PATMI growth of 21.1% YoY in 1Q18, as well as healthy topline growth of 12.4%, on new projects and higher customer orders.
The division has also received compensation from one of its core customers due to a delay in a large project, which should commence by 3Q18.
As a result, we expect a few key projects to kick start in 2H18, which will likely support a stronger performance for GSS.
GSS also acquired a piece of land in Batam in April to relocate its existing facility operated under an extended long lease. The new facility should help meet expanded demand as its existing factory in Batam is close to full utilisation.
 GSS Energy will start producing oil in Indonesia in 1H18. Photo: CompanyMonetisation of hydrocarbons and potential discovery of oil. Back in 4Q17, management revealed that the drilling results of SGT-01 have led to the discovery of commercially viable hydrocarbons, ie gas. It announced that discussions are ongoing with various parties to finalise the agreement for offtake of its gas, which could result in monetisation for the group in 4Q18. In addition, it commenced exploratory activities in nearby Well P1 in 1Q18, and is currently waiting for the results. As this is a makeover well with oil found previously, we expect a higher rate of success for oil discovery, and with the existing agreement with Pertamina to offtake the oil already in place, we expect monetisation if oil is discovered by 3Q18. |
Catalysts ahead, maintain BUY. We remain optimistic of GSS’ prospects and expect many potential catalysts to come in the near future, both in the PE and oil & gas segments.
With rising oil prices, especially over the last few months, GSS is expected to benefit directly. With a positive outlook ahead affirmed by its recently implemented dividend policy, we believe GSS is currently at an inflection point, and think that the current weakness represents a good opportunity to accumulate.
Maintain BUY and SOP-based TP of SGD0.25.
Full report here.
