Hope remains just hope. We suspect that the market is still holding high hopes on the rollout of projects under the Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to spur steel demand. This is despite the risks inherent in the actual implementation of such projects. Furthermore, with the next General Election possibly being held anytime from now till early next year, the focus may have shifted to the polls rather than the actual implementation of the proposed ETP projects. With the market is likely to be disappointed again in 2H12, we now expect the construction works momentum to pick up only in 2013.

Boston Consulting to set new path for local steel industry? Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has been hired by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) to undertake an in-depth study on the current plight faced by players in the country's steel sector. The outcome of the study, which is believed was submitted to MITI recently, is envisaged to assist the government in formulating an effective mechanism to settle the mounting issues and challenges in the sector's upstream and downstream segments. We understand the study will cover various aspects, ranging from competitiveness to a possible review of Malaysia's existing steel policy as well as the export and import duties, in view of the influx of cheaper foreign steel goods into Malaysia.

Execution is key. We welcome BCG's study, which is supposed to make proposals to MITI and map out measures to address the increasing number of petitions from the upstream and downstream steel players. We understand that BCG has proposed that the government considered strengthening its policy on steel imports for re-exports, assessing the licence manufacturing warehouse status, and reassess the zero import duty on foreign finished products and steel grades not locally produced in Malaysia as there have been growing concerns over steel imports into Malaysia. Other than that, much of the study focused on the flat steel segment. However, initial checks with our market intelligence indicate that most of BCG's recommendations were merely a compilation of policies announced or proposed earlier by MITI but with a clearer definition and target timeframe for execution.  

Probe on steel wire rods dumping. The BCG study aside, MITI had recently received a petition from domestic producers alleging that imports of steel wire rods originating in or exported from Taiwan, China, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey were being brought into Malaysia at much lower prices than those offered in those countries' respective domestic markets. MITI is initiating preliminary investigations on such imports from these countries and will study the feasibility of imposing anti-dumping duty on steel wire rod imports. Meanwhile, the import of wire rods jumped substantially to 474,561 tonnes in 2010, based on data compiled by the South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (refer to Figure 2). We are not entirely surprised by the steel manufacturers' petition as they have expressed several complaints of late. We also learned that the major competition is from China, whose manufacturers have made use of the 9% Value Added Tax (VAT) refund on exports of boron-added steel. Nonetheless, the wire rods imported into Malaysia have only minimal boron content, which does not change the characteristic of the material, which is ultimately still similar to regular carbon steel.

All eyes on investigation. In accordance with the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993 and its related regulations, preliminary determination will be made within 120 days from the date of initiation. If the final determination is affirmative, the Government might impose an anti-dumping duty at a rate that would rectify the situation. We understand from our sources that the competition from imported wire rods have resulted in local manufacturers pricing the products at around RM2,100 a tonne compared to the price of steel bars of RM2,300 a tonne, although wire rods are normally priced at a premium in the international market. While we think local steel prices may come under pressure as we enter the Ramadan month and take another month or two before the government makes the final decision, the imposition of any anti dumping duty may bring cheer to local wire rods manufacturers like Lion Industries, Southern Steel, Kinsteel and Ann Joo.

More new kids on the HRC block? Last month, Maegma Steel HRC SB launched its Maegma project and signed a Gas Sales Agreement (GSA) with Petroliam Nasional Bhd. This is for its integrated steel mill to be built in Tanjung Hantu, Lumut, Perak, for commencement of operation by June 2015. The company will be investing RM4.5bn in the first phase to build the plant, which would have the capacity to produce some 1.5m tonnes per year (tpy) of thin metal sheets, or Hot Roll Coils (HRC). Maegma Steel is a private company linked to Tunku Datuk Yaakob Tunku Abdullah. Meanwhile, The Edge Weekly reported over the weekend that Southern Steel may join the ranks of those seeking to build flat-steel plants in the country. The plan is said to have a brand new compact strip production line (CSP), or thin slab caster, plus hot strip mill and skin pass mill, integrated into its existing steel-making process. Elsewhere, Hiap Tech Venture via 55%-owned Eastern Steel SB is also investing a mini blast furnace (BF) that comes with a slab caster, which is expected to be ready by end-2013.

The weakening of steel demand resulting from renewed concerns over the European debt crisis has dampened CSC Steel's bottomline on top of the prolonged inconsistency in raw material supply. While we think that until the proposals from the Boston Consulting Group may be fully implemented by MITI and may be viable, local flat steel producers like CSC Steel might still face problems in sourcing for raw materials, at least for a few quarters. We are pegging a valuation parameter of -1 from -0.5 standard deviation of the steel sector's 5-year historical range, from which we derive a  new Fair Value of RM1.16, based on a 0.56x FY12 BV. Maintain NEUTRAL given the limited downside risks.

Hiap Teck's plans to venture upstream into steel making are on track but this would entail a long gestation period, with contributions only expected to kick in from 2014 onwards. The management is also revitalising HTVB's core businesses to ensure its profitability, although the adverse developments within the industry may pose an added challenge. The Terengganu MB's intention of granting Eastern Steel a mining concession to mine iron ore in Bukit Besi is certainly a major sweetener as the group may make huge investments in the state. However, we suspect that the mining operation is likely to kick off concurrent to the commissioning of its BF, which suggests that it will be a long wait before this lucrative business begins to contribute. In line with our sector-wide downward revision in valuation to -1 from -0.5 standard deviation of the  historical trading range, we derive a new Fair Value of RM0.55, based on a 0.36x FY12 BV, plus a 10% iron ore DCF value.

We are generally positive on Kinsteel's downstream rolling mills, which typically enjoy stable albeit low margins. This aside, its 37%-owned Perwaja is also set to make positive contribution as the latter benefits from a favourable spread from its iron making operation. However, we are not pinning too much hope on this business since the implementation of various mega projects under the ETP could be delayed. We also concerned over the company's high net gearing of 2.7x as at 31 March 2012, which justifies a lower valuation than its peers. We value Kinsteel at a 0.63x FY12 BV, or -1.5 standard deviation of its 5-year historical trading range (a notch lower compare to its peer). As our lower Fair Value of RM0.42 implies a limited downside risk, we reiterate our NEUTRAL call on the stock.

We were earlier excited over Tan Sri Albert Cheng's move to raise his personal stake in Lion Industries although we were unsure if the insider purchase had been stirred up by the M&A. However, the weakening near term outlook for the steel sector may once again hinder the group's efforts to dispose of part of its steel assets. In line with our sector-wide downgrade on the Malaysian steel sector's valuation from -0.5 to -1 standard deviation of its 5-year historical trading range, the stock's new Fair Value is now lower at RM1.16, or a 0.26x FY12 BV. Accordingly, we downgrade Lion Industries to NEUTRAL. As any M&A would certainty unlock the value of the group's steel unit, which has now been discounted by the market, we will keep a watch out for any future developments. 

We continue to like Malaysia Steel Works (KL) (Masteel) as it operates efficient mini-mills that are strategically located in the Klang Valley - the main catchment area of steel demand in the country. Nonetheless, the company is unlikely to totally escape the adverse effects of persistently weak global steel demand. As we bring down the sector valuation to -1 from -0.5 standard deviation of its 5-year historical trading range, we arrive at a lower Fair Value of RM0.83 for Masteel, based on a 0.33x FY12 BV. Downgrade to SELL given the potential downside risks.

Perwaja's iron making operation benefited from the favourable spread between the drop in iron ore pellet price and the strong orders from neighbouring countries. It returned to the black in 1Q, and we expect the company to show steady improvement come 2Q. Although the recent drop in scrap price certainly narrowed its margin for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), we hope the long-awaited iron ore mining operation may be timely in cushioning the narrowing spread at its existing operation. Perwaja is also constructing its iron ore concentration and pelletization plant, likely to be commissioned by end-2012, which is slightly behind our original projection. We are keeping our Trading BUY recommendation for Perwaja on the back of the stock's undemanding valuations amid an improving outlook for the company. Nevertheless, its fair value is lowered to RM1.13 to reflect our new valuation parameter for the steel sector, based on a 0.5x FY12 BV, or -1 standard deviation of its historical trading range, plus a 10% DCF for its potential iron ore concession.

The Edge Weekly reported over the weekend that Southern Steel plans to join the ranks of those seeking to build flat-steel plants in the country. The plan is said involve having a brand new compact strip production line (CSP), or known as a thin slab caster, plus hot strip mill and skin pass mill being integrated into its existing steel-making process. Although there is no formal announcement of the plan from the company, we expect it to undergo a learning curve in relation to the new plant before it starts to make meaningful contribution. Meanwhile, as the company is just as exposed to the poor industry outlook, we are NEUTRAL on Southern Steel. The company's Fair Value is revised down to RM1.73 as we incorporate our new sector valuation parameter of -1 standard deviation, or a 0.81x FY12 BV. 

Source: OSK