INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• 9MFY18 earnings in line

• Marginally higher sequential earnings

• Stable earnings in 9MFY18

• Maintain NEUTRAL with a revised TP of RM7.76

9MFY18 earnings in line. KLCCP Stapled Group (KLCCP) 9MFY18 core net income of RM541.3m came in within expectations, making up 74% of our and consensus full year forecast. Distribution per unit (DPU) of 8.7sen was announced for the quarter, bringing total DPU to 26.1sen in 9MFY18.

Marginally higher sequential earnings. On sequential basis, core net income inched up by 1.3%qoq to RM181.4m in 3QFY18. The higher sequential earnings were mainly driven by higher contribution from hotel division. Hotel division returned to the black in 3QFY18 after recording profit before tax (PBT) of RM1.5m against pre-tax loss of RM4.1m in 2QFY18 due to newly refurbished rooms back in inventory. Meanwhile, contributions from office and retail division were flattish on sequential basis.

Stable earnings in 9MFY18. On yearly basis, 3QFY18 core net income climbed 2.1%yoy to RM181.4m, bringing cumulative earnings to RM541.3m (+1.7%yoy). The stable earnings in 9MFY18 were contributed by higher earnings from office and retail divisions. PBT of office division climbed 1.1%yoy, underpinned by full occupancy and long-term leases. Similarly, PBT of retail division increased 1.2%yoy due to higher occupancy rates and higher rental rates of Suria KLCC. Meanwhile, hotel division recorded pre-tax loss of RM0.2m due to higher depreciation from the newly refurbished rooms.

Maintain NEUTRAL with a revised TP of RM7.76. We maintain our earnings forecast for FY18/19. We revise our TP for KLCCP to RM7.76 from RM7.59 as we roll over our valuation to FY19. Our TP is based on Dividend Discount Model with required rate of required return of 7.8%. We maintain our Neutral call on KLCCP due to its neutral earnings outlook. Dividend yield is estimated at 4.6%.

Source: MIDF Research - 14 Nov 2018