Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Regarding RUB

  • Could you share your opinion on RUB and explain why pe ratio so low?

First of Ranhill Utilities was listed in the exchange back in 2002 (ipo price was 2.50). And based on the reported earnings, its current 4 quarters earnings totals some 125.690 million, its current earnings per share is 42.7 sen. And based on a closing price of 1.34, it is trading at a current pe multiple of only 3.13x.

So yes, RUB is trading at a very low PE ratio.

Firstly, to understand why the PE ratio is so low, perhaps we need to understand the PE yardstick. The PE yardstick merely indicates how the stock is trading in the market when compared to its earnings. And of course it gets complicated when one uses the yardstick in an advanced manner by using a projected (forward) earnings. And some even base the earnings on a projected 2 years earnings into the future. Which of course could get pretty complicated and the accuracy of the projection is always very subjective for one is forecasting the future earnings.

Anyway, the most important thing to remember is the yardstick measures how the stock is trading on the market when compared to its earnings.

And the most important thing is that one needs to realise that the yardstick does not indicate the quality of the stock!

Meaning to say, stocks trading at a low PE multiple does not necessary mean that this is a good stock and neither does it necessary mean that it is the hidden gem. As the saying goes, never say I ass-u-me!

Before continuing, one thing I would like to point out is that perhaps you should look at how RUB has performed since listing.



How? Doesn't it appear that the stock is on a clear decline?

So what is wrong with this stock?

The company is reporting more earnings than ever and based on the current earnings of 125.690 million, the company could be on track to record its best ever earnings but yet the stock is decling even more!

Has the market got this stock really wrong or is the market correct and that this stock has some serious issues which is causing investors to avoid it like plague?

Perhaps we could get a better understanding if we take a good look at RUB earnings and its balance sheets.

The below two tables represent the compilation of RUB quarterly earnings since its listing.







1. Just for the record, did you know that RUB reported it has earned some 346.692 million since its listing? (this figure is derived if you add the total of net profit in both tables)

So for a company generating so much 'wealth' what does an investor get?

2. The last row indicates the cash position (total cash - total loans) of the company. At the first column, RUB's 02 Q4 earnings, RUB was in a net debt position of 427.393 million. Look at the latest column; it states that RUB is now in a net debt position of 1595.216 million. WOW!

3. Debts. Look at the very last column. Total loans now total some 2218.838 million. WOW!

4. Now let's put this debt into perspective. Look at the 05 Q4 quarterly earnings. See the two green boxes. The financial cost for that quarter totals more than its earnings! And if you add the most recent 4 quarters financial cost, RUB paid 97.972 in financial costs!

5. When RUB first reported its earnings, it has this entry called 'project development cost' under its current asset. This went on from 02 Q4 to 03 Q4. And the next four quarters, this project development cost disappears and my guess it is lumped under 'property and plant'. And what is even more interesting that in 05 Q1, there is now an entry called 'receivable from State Govt'. In 05 Q1, this amount was 566.638 million. The latest? 668.476 million! WOW!

So from RUB listing till now, what wealth has it generated?

Ah, this is a very important issue. Some call it gauging the quality of a company's earnings.

What kind of wealth has RUB generated since it reported earnings totaling some 346.692 million since listing?

Well, its property and plant seems to be worth more. State govt owed them more money.

But most important, the very bottom line is that it is now in a net debt of 1595.216 million!

Do you see any wealth at all?

If the answer is no, then the quality of RUB's earnings and the quality of the management is seriously in question.

And if you put all this into perspective, isn't it clear why RUB is trading at such a low PE multiple?

And if that is the case, does it make sense risking your hard earned money in this stock?

How?

Btw, if not mistaken, I have read it before that RUB will not be paying any dividends till 2012!

Last but not least, these are my opinions of this stock as requested. If you think my reasonings is wrong, then it is wrong ok? Please make sure your own judgement and reasoning is sound in your own investing decisions. My opinions are mere second opinions.

Cheers!

13 comments:

hhc1977 said...

nm,

Exactly, that's why i believe market price discount every news affecting stock fundamental.

If one just use PE, yield at its own, one wud sure stumble across this type of HIDDEN gems.

So, for fundamental, CASH is king and we have to evaluate with a broader scope. In order for the company to move forward, it must grow its bottomline whole maintainnig SUSTAINable gearing (or no gearing).

Moolah said...

hhc,

Wassup dude? Long time no hear.

:)

ichithekiller said...

Nice piece ... timely reminder that earnings are not just earnings, quality of earnings is equally as important. Great analysis...

I didn't know you take requests, next time I will ask you to do a full "medical" on any stock I'm thinking of buying... he he.

Moolah said...

Ichi,

Wassup dude? How are you dong?

:)

Anonymous said...

why so low ? poor corporate governance? Illiquid , parent control
more than 75 % ?????

ichithekiller said...

Doing Ok, considering... So, whaddya think? Bulls are back now, or just technical rebound...?

Anonymous said...

mr moola... wat do u think of MTD itself.... previously all of its subsidiaries has moved pass the RM1 mark but this MTD has not budge a bit too.... read in investssmart blog that its RNAV is at least a RM3... but how come its not moving still? thanks

Moolah said...

Ichi,

Glad to know that you are doing ok. The market? I'm more focused on stocks as I am rather poor looking at the market. It's simply way to complex for me.

Anyway, u shud be doing fine since u are ze killer... :)

hhc1977 said...

nm,

nowsday busy reading books. William O'neily book is pretty impressive. I think so far it is the best combining TA and FA. The problem with that method in Msia might be that we dont have many market leaders and growth of 25% Q on Q.

Another great book is regarding Profitunity. THis is even better trending method. Basically on fractals which suit my engineering background well. The basic idea is that stock price can be thought as a alligator. For TA ppl, i suggest read his book.

BTW, elsoft recent result doesn't look v impressive to me. It seemed to me they have trouble in growing their topline while bottom line is still intact. Would put this as a red flag. The bigger flag is their investment. I think it's around 19M and it's too much for a comp with Profit around 24M per year.

Moolah said...

hhc,

I had a peak at it and I do believe that your concerns is very much spot on.

On the investment thingy. There's not too much details, is there?

cheers

hhc1977 said...

nm,

ya, pretty much void of information on their investment. They are v aggressive. I believe they shud use that money to grow their business. Their test and burning biz requires a lot of capex in order to move higher margin product. They are pretty low tier in international standard.

Why good comp so hard to find in BSKL........

ichithekiller said...

Ha ha ... ze killer may become ze victim if not careful.

I see you did a not-so-pretty diagnosis on MTD as well ... between your MTD, RUBHD, PTARAS and my MAEMODE posts, looks like we are contradicting a certain sifu's recommendations leh... no wonder you put caveats all over the place... he he

Moolah said...

Ichi,

Waa...

Me not sure what you are really talking about.

Anyway, those that know me well, knew that I have been highly critical on MTD Capital and in fact I had made some blog posting on the nonsensical corporate exercises done by MTD, such as flipping its construction business to ACPI.

And for RUB, someone asked me for my opinion and I merely gave them my opinion. And again those that knew me, knew that I had been extremely critical on RUB since a couple of years ago.

And Pintaras Jaya is a mere example. Nothing more, nothing less.

ok?