Hongguo 2Q results

2Q results

Income statement

1. There is a jump in revenue from 166 mil RMB in 2Q07 to 188 mil RMB in 2Q08, representing a jump of 13.3%. Net profit increased from 26.8 mil RMB to 27.9 mil RMB.

2. Gross profit margin increased from 41.6% to 45.2%. Net profit margins decreased from 16.1% to 14.8% quarter to quarter. I'm currently monitoring net profit margin situation.

3. Selling and distribution/admin expenses(SDA) to revenue (%) increased from 24.5% to 28.0%.

4. Net profit margin drops mostly due to share of losses of JV (580k RMB), finance cost (395k RMB) and a drop in 'other operating income'.

Here's a summary of quarterly ratios:

-------------------------1Q08-------------1Q07--------2Q08----------2Q07
Gross margin--------41.6%-------------39.4%---------45.2%----------41.6%
Net margin----------15.3%-------------16.8%---------14.8%----------16.1%
SDA to revenue------23.1%-------------19.7%---------28.0%----------24.5%


Half year results

No need to talk so much, a table of ratios will do the trick.

-------------------------1H08-------------1H07
Gross margin--------43.3%-------------40.5%
Net margin----------15.1%-------------16.5%
SDA to revenue------25.3%-------------22.0%

As mentioned, I'm a little worried over their net margins. It's to be expected while their new shops are opening and hence net margins continue to fall. As long as it stabilise around 15%, I'll be happy.

1H08 revenue is 412 mil RMB, while 1H07 revenue is 342 mil RMB. For a little perspective, the full FY07 revenue is 739 mil RMB, so the 1H08 revenue is already 56% of last FY's revenue. My full year FY08 revenue of around 890 to 1000 mil RMB is on track. Net earnings of 62 mil RMB for 1H08 also compares well with full year FY07's earnings of 110 mil RMB. Baring unforeseen circumstances, I'm sure Hongguo FY08 results will be better than last financial year.


Balance sheet

-----------------------------1H08------------1H07
Current ratio----------------3.6-------------2.8
Total debt to equity(%)------27.4------------37.1
ROE(%)-----------------------11.7------------11.4%

There's no long term liability. The notes payable to trade creditors are interest-free and secured on fixed deposits, amounting to 16.3 mil RMB in 1H08, compared to 37.8 mil RMB in 1H07. No big changes in balance sheet items for Hongguo. As usual.


Cash flow

Net cash from operating activities for 2Q08 dipped to -12.2 mil RMB, from 14.5 mil RMB 2Q07. Main culprit is the huge amount of notes payable. I think there's nothing alarming about one quarter of negative cash generated from operations, esp when it's used for paying down their notes payable. As mentioned in the balance sheet, the notes payable from their current liabilities dropped by more than 50%. Hongguo is using its cash flow generated from its operations to pay it off.

As for investing activities, there is no disposal of subsidiary for this 2Q, so there is a dip in the net cash from this part of cash flow. Again, nothing important worth mentioning here.


Others

EPS for Hongguo in 1H is $0.1563 RMB. My target for FY08 EPS is $0.32 RMB.

Here's the contribution to revenue and by its different brands

C.Banner --- 62.2%
E.Blan ---- 9.2%
Contract manufacturing --- 17.0%
JUC --- 6.9%
Naturalizer footwear --- 1.7%

Of note is that while all other business, there is an increase in new outlets for 2Q, there is actually a close of 6 retail outlets for Jiangsu Unity Corporation (JUC). This will be something to look out for in their annual report for FY08. Naturalizer footwear also started contributing to their revenue since 1Q08.

Production capacity dedicated to contract manufacturing segment was increased to 6 production lines. The management that they believed this current level of production is adequate in satisfying demand, hence there are no immediate plans to further expand production capacity in short term. This means there are no foreseeable big capex in the near term. Cash flow should further improve.


Value to price comparison

Annualised EPS for FY08 is SGD $0.06252. Last close is SGD $0.33 per share. This represents a PE ratio of 5.3x. This is around historical low PE of Hongguo, which is 5.5x (occurred in 2005 and 2006).

Dividend paid out in FY07 is SGD 1.418 cts per share. At last close of SGD $0.33 per share, it's around 4.3% dividend yield (based on FY07's dividend). Actual amount will vary as it's subjected to the exchange rates of USD because the dividends are actually paid in USD and posted in cheque, instead of the usual direct transfer to bank account. Not that it matters, actually.

Applying Graham's strict (current assets - total liabilties)/shares outstanding, we get SGD $0.192 per share. Using NAV [(total assets - total liabilites)/shares], we get SGD 0.267 per share.

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Hongguo's 1Q08 result analysis is here.