THE BUZZ
Yesterday, WCT proposed a few corporate exercises, which include: i) a bonus issue at a ratio of 3-for-20 shares at an entitlement date to be determined later; ii) an issuance of free warrants, named Warrant D, on the basis of one warrant for every five shares held; and iii) a proposal to increase its authorised share capital from RM800m to RM1.1bn.
OUR TAKE
Bonus to fuel sentiment. We deem the bonus issue a positive surprise and a move which may boost trading sentiment on WCT's shares over the immediate term. Based on the share's last closing of RM2.54, with a total share capital of 822.9m shares, we estimate that its share price would be adjusted to RM2.21 post the 3-for-20 bonus issue. Accordingly, our FV is adjusted from RM3.36 to RM2.92 ex-bonus, at an adjusted share capital of 946.3m.
Warrants to beef up capital base. At the same time, the company is proposing for the issuance of free warrants named Warrant D at a 1-for-5 ratio as well as to increase its authorised share capital from RM800m to RM1.1bn. Should the warrants be fully exercised at a hypothetical ex-bonus exercise price of RM2.21, this could potentially raise RM418.1m. The move, in our view, is intended to open the possibility of further beefing up of its capital base as the group continues to scout for strategic landbank acquisitions. Following its recently-proposed issuance of up to RM1bn medium term notes to fund land acquisitions of RM450m in OUG as well as RM180m in Jalan Skudai, Johor Bahru, we believe the potential conversion of warrants would also help to meet the debt covenants.
BUY. We view the announcement as a positive surprise and we continue to like the company given its solid orderbook of approximately RM3.7bn with more contracts likely to be awarded before the year turns. There are potential growth catalysts from the KLIA2 Integrated Complex, which is scheduled to commence operations by March next year, as well as WCT's fast-expanding property management portfolio to provide a recurring earnings base. Hence, maintain BUY with our FV unchanged at RM3.36 or RM2.92 ex-bonus issue.