Yongnam: FY 2011 results.

Went through Yongnam's FY2011 results as I munched on my lunch of wholemeal bread with margarine. I am very impressed with the results. For a company in a sector which is expected to suffer from the vicissitudes of cyclical effects with weak margins, it has done really well.

Year on year, revenue dipped 0.7% while gross profits improved 8.2%. Gross profit margin improved from 28.6% to 31.1%! This shows an increase in productivity. I always like using less resources to do more.

EPS improved 15.5% year on year from 4.38c to 5.06c. NAV improved from 18.92c to 23.25c. This is an increase of 22.9% as gearing reduced 38.8% from 0.49x to 0.30x. Earnings and assets are up while borrowings are down. Very nice.

To make the picture nicer, a dividend of 1c per share has been declared. This represents a pay out ratio of about 19.8%. At a share price of 25.5c, it translates to a dividend yield of 3.92%. 

The dividend paid out in the preceding year was 0.65c per share. Dividend per share has grown 53.8% year on year, therefore.

In FY2011, Yongnam saw greater contribution by its Specialist Civil Engineering business which commands a higher gross margin over its Structural Steelworks business. This allowed its gross profits to grow while revenue flatlined.

In FY2012, this trend is likely to continue. As of end December 2011, Specialist Civil Engineering already had a 61% share of its order book value of S$462m.

Not only does Yongnam have an enviable number of projects on hand, the high barrier to entry in the niche it has carved out for itself means that competition now and in the future is quite limited, allowing it to command better margins.

The increased spending by regional governments on infrastructure projects and Yongnam's strong ties with reputable international contractors will probably see Yongnam winning more contracts as the year progresses. This bodes well for the company, especially with expectations of a slow down in private sector demand.

See presentation slides: here.

See press release: here.

Related post:
Yongnam: Smart money is accumulating.

Sheng Siong: A good investment for income?

Last year in August, Sheng Siong's IPO created a bit of a buzz. The company promised a pay out ratio of 90% in FY 2011 and FY 2012 to woo investors and offered shares to the public at 33c a piece. It was 1.3x oversubscribed.

For FY2011, net profit fell 36.1% while revenue fell 8%. Net profit margin declined to 4.7% in FY2011 from 6.8% in FY2010. This is although gross profit margin improved somewhat to 22.1% compared to 21.8% in the previous year. Frankly, I find its net profit margin to be rather unattractive and it actually looks worse than some local construction companies'.

However, delivering on its promise of a 90% pay out ratio, the company has proposed a dividend of 1.77c per share for FY2011. At its last traded price of 48c a share, it translates to a dividend yield of about 3.69%. For those who got their shares at IPO, they would have a dividend yield of 5.36% on cost.

Many invested in Sheng Siong thinking of its business as recession proof and that it is a defensive stock to own. However, its numbers suggest that it does not have much of an economic moat and is not really defensive per se. In fact, the leaner margins have been attributed to keen competition from rival supermarket chains.

Debt free and with more cash on hand, let us see if the company would be able to deliver more value to shareholders in the new financial year. However, for any would be investor, it pays to note that after FY2012, there is no guarantee that Sheng Siong would continue with its 90% pay out ratio.

If the payout ratio were to be reduced to 50% or even 30%, what would the dividend per share amount to then? Would its earnings per share grow fast enough to compensate for the lower pay out ratio in order to continue delivering a similar quantum of dividend per share?

Sheng Siong might be a good place for grocery shopping but is it a good investment for income?

The jury is still out on this one.

See slides presentation: here.
See results announcement: here.

Trading to put food on the table.

I read an article in today's Sunday Times by Goh Eng Yeow on how to sniff out good stocks to invest in. However, I am not going to blog about sniffing out potential winners in the stock market. I am going to blog about something that's probably less exciting: the day trader who wrote to him saying how he lost a big fortune in the stock market last year.

"With mounting bills, and zero financial reserve left, and no job, the current state of mind is like losing a wing man in Tom Cruise's Top Gun. Every day is a challenge mentally and physically to put food on the table..."

I know of friends who have lost big time in the stock market. Personally, I lost a six figure sum in the stock market before as well. It was definitely a nightmare and no one should have to suffer like this. So, can we avoid such an experience?

Well, the only way is probably not to invest in the stock market. As long as we are going to invest in the stock market, we are taking on risks. The idea is to reduce such risks as they cannot be removed.

I think a very pertinent question to ask before we take that first step as an "investor" or a "trader" is to ask ourselves if we are ready. By this, I do not just mean if we have the necessary knowledge required to do fundamental and technical analyses. I also refer to whether we have our safety nets in place. This is even more pertinent a question if we were to be a full time "investor" or "trader".

I know of people who dream of making it big as an "investor" or a "trader". Personally, I am not qualified in any way to say that their dreams are just dreams. Although I do not know of anyone on a personal basis who has become very rich investing or trading in the stock market, there could be people out there who have done so.

However, no matter what our aspirations, embarking on any journey without a contingency plan (or several contingency plans) is a terrible mistake. It would be like going on a sea journey on a ship without lifeboats. Would you do that?

I remember a fellow blogger telling me that if we are making a living from the stock market, we would need to have regular income from the market as frequently as possible. Otherwise, there would be no food on the table. To me, that sounds like having no contingency plan.

So, I replied that "If a person is making a living trading the stock market full time, I expect that he should have a sizeable capital. If he has very little capital and he depends on his gains from trading to put food on the table, a prudent thing to do is to find a salaried job."

If a person has a sizeable capital, he could put it to work investing in stocks which offer decent yields of 5 to 6% or S-REITs which could yield 10% per annum even at current prices. The dividends and income distributions would be a nice supplement to his earned income. Earned income? Yes, don't give up our jobs unless our passive income from the stock market is enough to replace our earned income.

Investing in the stock market need not be a high risk activity. It is only a high risk activity because individuals allow it to be so.

Individuals sometimes put their lives at risk with dreamy ideas of what the stock market is and what they could achieve. Dreams could then become nightmares.

Take it from me. I have been there before.

Related posts:
1. Seven steps to creating passive income from the stock market.
2. Create more passive income with limited capital.
3. How did AK71 overcome his losses and grow his portfolio?

OCBC Research: Industrial REITs.

I came across an interesting piece of research by OCBC on industrial REITs in Singapore and would like to share the salient points here (some of which I have mentioned before in my blog):

Industrial REITs reported healthy 4Q11 results.

Industrial REITs appeared to outperform market expectations.

Expecting stable performance.

Operating metrics still healthy.

Earnings likely to stay resilient.

Percentage of leases due for renewal at comfortable level.

Aggregate leverage may inch upwards after funding potential investments.

Industrial REITs in better financial position now

Maintain OVERWEIGHT view.

I am pleased to see that AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT, Sabana REIT, CIT and Cache Logistics Trust have all performed above consensus expectations as I am vested in all four. Bigger names such as Ascendas and Mapletree have only performed within expectations; not vested. (Refer to exhibit 3 in the report.)

See the full report: here.

Related post:
Office S-REITs VS. Industrial S-REITs (3).

Hock Lian Seng: 2c dividend per share.

On 17 October 2011, I looked at Hock Lian Seng's numbers after observing how insiders were buying up its shares at 23.5c a piece. I decided that its numbers were decent enough and that it would probably be able to pay a dividend of 1.5c a share.





I bought more shares at 24c a piece while waiting to see if price would fall closer to its NAV per share. Prices did go lower and touched a low of 21c in one later session but my buy order was not filled.

Today, it announced a dividend of 2.0c a share on the back of rather encouraging numbers. Mr. Market has reacted in the usual fashion and Hock Lian Seng's share price touched a high of 27c before closing at 26.5c today, up 1.5c from the preceding session.

I really like how its gross profit margin improved to 24.9% and its nett profit margin improved to 19.0%. Construction firms having thin margins is common knowledge amongst seasoned investors and being able to improve on their profit margins says something about the strength of Hock Lian Seng in the sector.





Of course, as investors, we own shares and we want to see if we are now in better shape on a per share basis. Well, EPS improved 15.1% to 6.1c. No doubt, this is one reason why a much higher dividend has been announced. 2c per share represents a payout ratio of 32.8%.

Hock Lian Seng will gun for more infrastructure projects in Singapore amidst greater spending by the government in this area. If they are successful in their endeavours, the company would be able to ride out the mild slowdown in the economy which is being forecast for the coming years.





See press release: here.

Related post:
Hock Lian Seng: Insider buying.

Yongnam: Smart money is accumulating.

OBV is used to detect distribution and accumulation activities. This, in itself, might not be very useful apart from providing material for a chit chat over tea. Looking at OBV together with price movement, however, could be rewarding.

A simple technical analysis suggests that smart money is accumulating shares of Yongnam.

Look at how the OBV has been gradually rising although its share price has been forming lower highs since early October 2010. An upward sloping OBV coupled with a weakening share price suggests that smart money is accumulating. Mind you, accumulation could go on for a long time as seen in this case.

However, there is support and buying on weakness could be rewarding as we could see prices going higher in time.

I have done some FA on Yongnam and its numbers have been improving over the years. Margins have been improving while gearing has been reducing.

Yongnam has carved a niche for itself in the construction industry and concentrates its efforts mainly in the infrastructure sector which continues to see major expenditure by regional governments.

What Yongnam does has a high barrier to entry and it is also probably the biggest in the game it plays. Yongnam seems to have an advantage and consistently gaining new contracts gives this claim credibility.

Visit Yongnam's website: here.

HY Markets.

Who are HY Markets?

“HY Markets is a division of the Henyep Group, a global diversified conglomerate with business in financial services, property, education, and charity spanning 3 continents and 20 countries worldwide. The Henyep Group of companies are registered and authorized in world-leading jurisdictions including London, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong. This provides clients with the comfort and security of a global institution.

"HY Markets provides investors with efficient and direct access to all their trading needs. Start trading with the security of an FSA regulated company."

                                                                                                                                (Source: HY Markets website)

There are many reasons why a trader should deal with HY Markets:

Henyep Group companies are authorized and regulated by world leading financial authorities providing clients with global access to capital markets. It has the following licenses: FSA, DFSA, SFC, HKEx. Moreover, Henyep has over 30 years of gold trading experience and is a member firm of Hong Kong's Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society.

I would like to highlight the most important points here:

1. It is regulated by FSA in UK.

2. It has total transparency and security of the world’s financial centers.

3. Of many advantages is that HY Markets has a long history. It has been serving investing community for more than 25 years.

To read up on their history, click here: Group History.

HY Markets is also famous for its multi trading platforms:

Offering both Revolutionary Web-based Trading and desktop platforms. Each platform has its advantages, for example: Web-based trading platform (which you do not need to download) could be accessed anywhere with Internet connection.

HY Markets has a complete product offering. It can meet all the trader needs. You can trade Forex, oil/gas, metals, commodities and stocks. In addition, you can buy long and sell short all the products. It has up to 400:1 leverage.

HY Markets has Personalized Customer Support. 24/7 customers are supported by phone, email or chart. They have experienced staff and help desk in local languages. Moreover, they offer VIP services.

HY Markets offers variety of trading tools:

For examples, it offers: daily economic calendar, currency conversion, Live Reuters news, glossary of terms and charts.

HY Markets offers a demo account.

In addition, they have a section on education with video tutorials. Where a beginner can learn trading basics: an introduction to margin trading and investing (margin trading basics, order types and understanding account information).

Furthermore, they provide traders with technical analysis. You may learn to use charts and statistics to make investment decisions: chart types, indicators and patterns, trend analysis.

Also, HY Markets gives fundamental analysis. The beginner can learn the ability to forecast market movements by analyzing: economic data announcements and news, macroeconomic factors.

It is always easy to stay updated with HY Markets. They provide traders with daily market commentary. Receive daily updates on all major capital markets and stay on top of your investment decisions!

Starting an account.

HY Markets has very easy opening procedure. You can start trading just with $50 in 5 minutes and you can fund account with credit card.

HY Markets offers variety of live accounts. They have MINI Account where you can start trading from $50 and up. It has up to 200:1 leverage. and 1/50 premium contract which is good for beginners.

You can choose STANDARD Account where the starting trading amount is $750 and up. It has up to 200:1 leverage, 1/10 premium contract.

HY Markets offers PREMIUM Account as well. You can start from $2,500. It offers up to 200:1 leverage, regular contract sizes.

Spreads at HY Markets start as low as 2 pips.

Finally, HY Markets offers CUSTOMISED and Islamic accounts to meet the demanding needs of all investors. Such service includes tailor-made accounts customized to individuals' needs, personal dealers, and dedicated account executives.

Visit HY Markets today: English language homepage.

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