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I have just produced a YouTube video based on this blog a few moments ago. So, if you prefer listening to reading, that option is available now.
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Recently, I read a report in The EDGE.
I read that the analysts at RHB Research slashed their target price for a Singapore bank by almost 8%.
Which Singapore bank?
Like to make a guess with this hint?
Target price slashed from $34.90 a share to $32.30 a share.
If you guessed UOB, you are right.
Some readers might remember that in a video I produced on DBS, I said that we should not be too concerned by target prices set by analysts.
Crystal ball gazing might be an interesting distraction but that is what it is.
A distraction.
What is more interesting to me is the reason behind the lowering of the target price.
The analyst said that the target price has been lowered due to "heightened economic uncertainty."
The analyst said that the target price has been lowered due to "heightened economic uncertainty."
To me, that sounds like they expect the economic conditions in the markets UOB is in to weaken.
They went on to say that UOB sees two key headwinds.
Revenue and asset quality risks.
Revenue is likely to take a hit because net interest margin is probably going down further.
This is not something new to anyone who has been following the news, of course.
In several blogs and videos which I produced, I said that Net Interest Margins for all three banks, DBS, OCBC and UOB likely peaked in Q1 2023.
Funding cost has finally caught up which will squeeze the said margin.
For UOB, net interest margin apparently has already reduced 8 basis point, quarter on quarter.
Loan growth is also moderating.
Loan growth is also moderating.
In fact, in Q1 2023, loans contracted 1.2% quarter on quarter.
UOB also has exposure to Commercial Real Estate and financing for these assets is 30% of total loans.
UOB has said that it has not seen any stress.
They also enforce a loan to value of 50% on their Commercial Real Estate loans.
In earlier videos on UOB, I said that the bank is likely to be the fastest growing Singapore bank this year, thanks to their acquisition of Citibank's consumer banking business in four South East Asian countries.
Acquisitions in Malaysia and Thailand completed in November 2022 while the acquisition in Vietnam completed in March.
Acquisitions in Malaysia and Thailand completed in November 2022 while the acquisition in Vietnam completed in March.
We will see full year contributions from these markets this year.
Acquisition in Indonesia is likely to be completed by end of this year and will contribute to earnings in 2024.
Also, non-interest income should pick up some slack at UOB.
In fact, UOB saw a 457% year on year growth in non-interest income in Q1 2023 compared to a 35% growth at DBS.
So, what do I think of the target price for the common stock of UOB being slashed by 8%?
To be totally honest.
It is really just someone else's number to me.
Some readers might remember that I said that Singapore banks saw their stocks trading at 2 times book value when Market was very exuberant.
Some readers might remember that I said that Singapore banks saw their stocks trading at 2 times book value when Market was very exuberant.
If that should happen again, what is my target price for UOB?
$50 a share!
Now, that makes me giddy!
As an investor for income, I am more interested in the dividend which UOB is able to pay me.
$1.35 a share seems undemanding.
If we are a little more optimistic, $1.60 a share isn't impossible either.
Based on technical analysis, a major support is probably at around $26 a share.
Buying more at that price could mean a dividend yield of between 5.2% to 6.1%.
With dividend yields of 5% to 6% at a payout ratio of around 50%, Singapore banks provide investors with peace of mind.
With dividend yields of 5% to 6% at a payout ratio of around 50%, Singapore banks provide investors with peace of mind.
Why would I invest in a healthcare REIT that has a distribution yield of less than 4%, especially when I remind myself that it has to distribute all or almost all of its operating income to achieve that?
I don't know if we would see the stock at $26 a share but if it should happen, all else being equal, I hope I would have the resources to buy more.
Is this where I say if AK can talk to himself, so can you?
Maybe.
But when I think of $50 a share as a possibility, I feel giddy.
So, I really want to say this.
If AK can feel giddy, so can you!
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