Prasarana Malaysia Bhd will announce the project delivery partner (PDP) for the RM9bn Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3) project earliest by next week. Group managing director Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz said the company has finalized the PDP for LRT3, but there are still some technicalities that needed to be ironed out. The seven shortlisted contenders are MMCGamuda, MRCB-George Kent, UEM Group, Naza-CSR Zhuzhou, Sunway, WCT Holdings and Alloy-MTD Group. (New Straits Times)

Comments: We believe MRCB-George Kent is in a strong position to win the project given MRCB’s experience in developing public transportation hubs and undertaking LRT projects in the past, and political links. Sunway and MMC-Gamuda also have strong track record in undertaking rail-related infrastructure projects.

Based on a PDP fee of 6% of total project value and 50% share of works, the LRT3 project will contribute RM203m net profit over the construction period to MRCB’s bottom line if it wins the project. We have not factored in any earnings from the LRT3 project in MRCB’s core net profit forecast of RM101m in FY16E. We have BUY calls on MRCB, Gamuda, MMC Corp and Sunway.

Source: Affin Hwang Capital Research - 4 Sep 2015