The Positives
+ Ongoing project expansion and tariff hike. In 1Q19, CEWL secured two more projects, including an operation and management project and a sludge treatment project. During the period, 14 projects were under construction, and one project commenced operation. Meanwhile, seven waste water treatment (WWT) projects had tariff hikes ranging from 21% to 56%. There is still room for the group to hike the tariff with the upgrading of domestic waste water discharge standard. Currently, the average G1A tariff ranges between RMB1.1-1.3/tonne, and more than 90% of the operating WWT projects have reached the standard.
+ Successful dual primary listing on the main board of stock exchange of Hong Kong. On 8-May, CEWL allotted and issued 103.97mn share with an offer price of HK$2.99 (equivalent to S$0.52). The total number of shares increased from 2,676mn to 2,780mn. As of 16-May, the Singapore and Hong Kong closed price was S$0.37 and HK$2.37 respectively, and the price difference after conversion was S$0.04 or 10.8%.
Outlook
CEWL has been solidifying its footprint in Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. In the foreseeable future, we look forward to the new business expansion to other densely populated regions such as Pearl River Delta and Great Bay Area. Recently, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and National Development and Reform Commission jointly published the upgrade of urban waste water treatment quality action plan 2019- 2021, specifying areas demanding WWT and reinforcing the fiscal and social financing support. Accordingly, we believe CEWL will continue to be benefit from the benign business environment. Meanwhile, the 3ppt lower in value-added tax (from 16% to 13%) that kicked in in Apr-19 is expected to provide some relief to the group’s tax burden by RMB40mn in FY19. In a nutshell, we remain upbeat on the outlook.
Guangzhi graduated from Singapore Management University with a Master degree in Applied Finance and from South China University of Technology with a Bachelor degree in Electronic Commerce.
The current sector coverages include Energy, Utilities, and Mining sectors. He has 3 years experience in equity research in both Hong Kong and Singapore market. He is the mandarin spokesperson for Phillip Securities Research in relation to China-related projects and all mandarin seminars and client events.
