- 1H14 net profit (NP) surged by 175% YoY, thanks to the earnings consolidation from the newly acquired Amertron. Meanwhile at the top line, if we were to strip out Amertron’s revenue of c.RM226m, revenue still grew organically by 30% YoY to c.RM152m mainly on the back of higher loadings in its RF division. While the enlarged group’s YTD blended OP margin of 13.5% appears to be lower (-5.2ppts YoY due to Ametron’s different product portfolio) as compared to the previous Inari unit, the post acquisition OP margin has, in fact, improved in the 2Q14 (+3.0ppts QoQ) on the back of higher operational efficiency amidst the integration of operations as well as the group’s stringent cost management.

- Radio Frequency (RF) division continued to gain traction. With the ongoing big orders for the group’s RF due to resilient demand for S&T (note that the current utilisation rate (UR) for all of its plants are already at near full capacity), the group intends to increase its assembly capacity by adding another storey in its new plant 5. All in, we believe that its new Plant 5 could increase the RF assembly capacity by another c.20% YoY, which could at least translate into an additional RM9m to the NP assuming an UR of c.85%.

- Optoelectronics segment from Amertron well poised to compliment Inari’s Fiber Optic business. Besides the decent earnings contribution from Amertron, it is also worth noting that Inari’s Fibre Optics segment has benefited in terms of expanded R&D activities from the expertise passed down from Amertron. Meanwhile, with the integration in place, we understand that the group has also achieved higher operational efficiency in the segment.

- Other segments to see meaningful contribution from FY15 onwards. Following by the recent operational breakeven in its 51%-owned subsidiary, CEEDTec (which is the ODM for Electronic Test and Measurement Equipment), we gather that the meaningful earnings with double-digit growth could be seen in FY15 with the new pipeline of products to be introduced to Agilent. Meanwhile on its Fibre Optics division (which focuses on the R&D and production of fibre-optic connectors under its 100%-owned subsidiary Inari South Keytech), its revenue contribution is minimal at this junction given that the division had only started production in Jan 2014. We gather that this could be one of the key revenue contributions going forward in light of the growing demand for high-speed data transfer which fibre optics could provide the best option given its relatively higher bandwidth capacity.

- Other key update. On the listing transfer to Main market, management noted that it is still pending green light from the authority.

- Strong balance sheet to support dividend payout policy of 40%. Post the Amertron acquisition, we understand that the group is still in a net cash position. Coupled with its sustainable earnings profile as well as the good track record of generous dividend payout (DPR of 40% each for the past two years), we believe that the group could offer up to FY15E DPS of 10.5sen translating into a decent dividend yield of 4.0%, assuming a 40% DPR.

- Maintain TRADING BUY with a higher TP of RM3.15 (from RM2.10). We have revised our earlier conservative FY14-FY15 earnings forecasts upwards by 16%-26% to account for: (i) higher revenue underpinned by production expansion as well as (ii) higher EBIT margin on the back of higher operational efficiency. Although the share price has appreciated by 66% since our TB rating (with previous TP of RM2.10) back in December 2013, we still see upside potential of 19% from our new TP of RM3.15. Note that our new TP of RM3.15 is based on a 12.0x FY15 PER (rolled over from the previous 12.0x FY14 PER) which is at +2.0SD level above its 2-year average forward PER. We believe that its premium valuation of +2.0SD is justified given its: (i) earnings stability, which makes it less vulnerable to the semiconductor cyclical volatility, (ii) robust 2-year NP CAGR of 67%, (iii) high exposure to the booming S&T segment amid the tech upcycle.

Source: Kenanga