TSH Resources is disposing of its two pieces of plantation landbank totaling 3,007ha together with a 40mt/hour palm oil mill in Sabah for a total cash consideration of RM248m. The group is expected to recognize one-off gain of RM104.3m in the 1QFY22. We deem the offer is attractive as it is valued based on EV of RM82,474/ha or P/B of 1.48x. Based on our calculation, we think it is an earnings accretive deal for the group as it could potentially bump up its earnings by as much as RM8m after taking into the consideration of significant interest savings dspite the loss of income from the CPO production. Pending the completion of the proposal disposal, we retain our Outperform call with an unchanged TP of RM1.46 based on 24x FY22 EPS.

• Salient details of the proposed disposal. The two pieces of leasehold plantation landbank for divestment are located in Kinabatangan, Sabah. The tenure for the first piece has a balance of 56 years while the second piece has a balance of 75 years. Both estates are adjacent to each other and the weighted average age of the estate’s palm trees is approximately 18 years. Approximately 74% of the planted area is more than 21 years of age and is due for replanting. The total FFB production from these two plantations stood at 50,388mt in FY20. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old palm oil mill is located at the Ladang Ong Yah Ho and it mainly processes the FFB produced around the vicinity. The buyer of the plantation assets is an unlisted company, Sharikat Keratong S/B, led by a Chang family.

• Improving gearing level. Management guided that the proceeds of RM248m from the proposed disposal will be used to pare down its borrowings. As of end-2020, it is sitting in a net debt position of RM1.1bn and a net gearing of 0.71x. Upon completion, the proceeds would be utilized to pay off debt, thereby, reducing its net gearing to 0.53x. It can have an annual interest savings of up to RM11.6m if it tends to settle the relatively high interest cost terms loans. In addition, the Group would be able to save capex for land clearing and replanting in the coming years as a significant portion of the estates are due for replanting. The improved gearing will also provide capacity to raise additional funding to accelerate development of its remaining unplanted plantation lands in Indonesia.

• Reducing group’s FFB by 5.9%. Upon the completion of the proposed disposal, TSH will see a reduction of FFB production by about 5.9% to 855,786mt (using FY20 numbers as the base). Meanwhile, TSH’s planted area in Sabah will nearly halve to 3,169ha while group planted area will reduce by almost 10% from 31,456ha to 28,449ha.

• Lucrative return of investments. All three plantation assets have a combined audited net book value of RM167.1m and the total cost investment involved is RM61.3m. In our view, we think the offer, which is valued based on EV of RM82,474/ha or P/B of 1.48x, is deemed attractive. The group is expected to recognize one-off gain of RM104.3m in the 1QFY22

Source: PublicInvest Research - 7 Jul 2021