Latest news with #BIMBSecuritiesResearch
The Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Auto sector steady on firm demand, policy boost
BIMB Securities Research said the sector's near-term outlook remains balanced. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's automotive sector continues to show resilience, with underlying demand holding firm and recent policy developments providing a short-term boost. Despite a monthly pickup in total industry volume (TIV), caution is advised amid external and competitive headwinds. According to BIMB Securities Research, the sector's near-term outlook remains balanced. Reiterating its 'neutral' call, the research house explained that its view on the automotive sector is supported by resilient underlying demand and favourable income policies. In a note, BIMB Securities Research highlighted expectations of new open market value duties potentially kicking in by 2026, which could act as a catalyst for early purchases and boost sales in the fourth quarter of 2025. TIV for May 2025 rose 12% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 68,007 units, driven by stronger passenger and commercial vehicle sales. Passenger vehicles climbed 12.1% m-o-m to 55,971 units, while commercial units increased by 15.2% to 5,250 units. However, year-to-date figures told a more muted story – sales slipped 5% to 316,737 units compared with the same period in 2024. BIMB Securities Research cautioned that several risks could dampen sentiment going forward. 'Key downside risks include global supply chain disruptions, softer consumer sentiment amid rising living costs, and competitive pressures from intensifying rivalry with Chinese original equipment manufacturers and the ongoing China electric vehicle (EV) price war,' it noted. Still, the research house believes current market jitters are not necessarily reflective of sector fundamentals. 'Although fundamentals remain robust, recent sell-offs appear largely sentiment-driven,' it noted. In terms of stock picks, BIMB Securities Research is reviewing its calls but has retained a 'neutral' stance on several key players. 'While our stock calls are currently under review, we maintain a 'hold' call on Sime Darby Bhd , MBM Resources Bhd and Bermaz Auto Bhd (BAuto),' the research house said. Its target price for Sime Darby stands at RM2.10, while that for MBM is at RM5.50 and 86 sen for BAuto. Statistics showed that national brands continued to dominate in May, with sales rising 11.7% m-o-m to 44,149 units. Perodua led with a 14.7% m-o-m gain, driven by strong demand for the Bezza and Myvi, while Proton saw a 4.9% uptick. Non-national marques also improved, up 13.6% m-o-m to 23,858 units. Toyota and Honda led the charge, but Mazda saw a 14% drop. EV momentum is gaining traction, though adoption remains well below national targets. 'Malaysia's EV registrations rose 44% m-o-m to 4,152 units in May 2025,' BIMB Securities Research noted, citing Road Transport Department data. Tesla's new Model Y facelift boosted sales 10-fold to 1,075 units, while BYD remained the top performer with 1,148 units. That said, with EV penetration at just 4.1%, the road to 20% by 2030 remains long, BIMB Securities Research noted.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Glove sector hit by soft demand and higher costs
BIMB Securities Research cautioned that the second half of 2025 will likely see flat sales volumes and stagnant average selling prices. PETALING JAYA: The outlook for Malaysia's rubber gloves sector is not looking very positive at the moment, according to BIMB Securities Research. In a report, it cautioned that the second half of 2025 (2H25) will likely see flat sales volumes and stagnant average selling prices (ASPs). 'ASPs are expected to show minimal improvement, remaining flat amid global oversupply and persistent price undercutting by Chinese glove manufacturers in non-US markets,' the research house said. Adding to the pressure, Chinese companies are relocating parts of their production to South-East Asia – Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia – to circumvent tariffs while maintaining cost competitiveness. Given this competitive landscape and weak US demand momentum, the research house said meaningful price recovery appears unlikely. After frontloading activities by US customers in January and February, BIMB Securities Research said order volumes have since slowed amid inventory buildup. 'Looking ahead to 2H25, we anticipate only a small increase in demand as customers remain cautious amid ongoing tariff uncertainties,' the research house said. It said minimum wage hikes have raised labour costs, and despite easing natural gas prices, profitability remains fragile. With that, the research house has maintained its 'neutral' call on the sector, citing structural issues and global trade uncertainties, with limited upside catalysts. 'We have a 'hold' on Hartalega Holdings Bhd , Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd and Top Glove Corp Bhd and 'non-rated' for Supermax Corp Bhd ,' it added.
Malaysian Reserve
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Gold miner AuMas gets 'Buy', target price 86 sen
AuMas Resources Bhd, the nation's sole listed gold miner with exclusive concession in Sabah, has received a 'Buy' call with a 52-week target price of 86 sen. In a initiation research note released today, BIMB Securities Research said its these was premised on three points: scalable output; cost efficiency gains and gold price leverage as well as undervalued resource optionality. 'With a gold supercycle tailwind, we forecast earnings CAGR of 22% (FY25–27). Valuation at 18x FY25F P/E is undemanding given a 19% ROE. Catalysts include sustained high gold prices, output ramp-up, and mines exploration. Key risks include production shortfalls and gold price volatility,' it said. However, it cautioned that the report did not meet BIMB's usual standards of rigour. Despite our best efforts, it said management declined a direct engagement , citing a pending litigation outcome expected by end-May. 'Markets do not pause—and neither do we. Our analysis draws from publicly available company disclosures, benchmarking against comparable local mining peers, and our guesstimates,' the research house said. AuMas has an exclusive concession at Bukit Mantri, Sabah until 2048. The area sits on a gold and silver deposit of 6.5 and 20.5 tonnes respectively, valued at RM3 billion at today's prices. Formerly known as Bahvest Resources Bhd, the company's mine is located 39 km from Tawau Airport and 64 km from Tawau town, with mining rights secured through a 33-year concession from the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department. The total concession area spans 317.7 hectares, of which 28 hectares have been delineated as a defined mineral resource zone currently under active mining, according to the report. It noted that AuMas' leadership team has limited direct experience in mining or the broader resources sector. While not a criticism in itself, it said it naturally raised questions about operational depth as the company enters a more technical growth phase. AuMas CEO Tzu Khen Chong, 67, is a long-time company insider, having served as CFO during the Bahvest era. While his continuity is valuable, his lack of mining-specific background may limit agility in managing operational complexity, noted the report. AuMas was trading at 71 sen at 11.45am today, valuing the company at RM1.3 billion. Its 52-week high/low was RM1.00/44 sen. — TMR
The Star
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Trump 2.0 brings next level challenges in 2025
BIMB Securities Research said fiscal constraints, bureaucratic drag, and global macro headwinds would limit what can be achieved. PETALING JAYA: Most of Malaysia's economic transformation goals for 2025 will be difficult to achieve, according to a research house. While political stability and state-federal coordination have improved, BIMB Securities Research said fiscal constraints, bureaucratic drag, and global macro headwinds would limit what can be achieved. 'It must be acknowledged that many targets were set before the pandemic and not adjusted for the dual shocks of Covid-19 and escalating geopolitical tensions reshaping global trade. 'Therefore, not all misses are equal –some 'failures' warrant an asterisk. Furthermore, Trump 2.0 has brought with it some 'next level' challenges,' the research house said. Its analysis of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and related national blueprints showed clear progress in some sectors, but others are edging into the 'mission impossible' territory. Beneath the headline growth, structural imbalances in labour, energy, and food security are building up, according to BIMB Securities Research. 'Our central thesis: policy ambition is high, but execution capacity remains uneven. 'Investors need to stop treating blueprints as guarantees – and instead position tactically around what is working, what is stalling and what the market is mispricing,' it pointed out. BIMB Securities Research noted that Malaysia's median salary target of RM2,700 for 2025 had been achieved within the first nine months. While it is a positive progress, factors such as income inequality, sectoral wage gap and rising living costs remain crucial considerations in assessing overall economic well-being. On the nation's logistics infrastructure, the research house said its ranking in the latest World Bank Logistics Performance Index has dropped to 26th, falling short of the Top 20 target. 'While port efficiency has improved, logistics infrastructure and supply chain performance require further enhancement to meet 12MP objectives,' it said. As for boosting green mobility, it pointed out that Malaysia has installed 3,611 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by the end of 2024. The figure is lower than the 12MP's target of 10,000 EV charging stations this year. It is also noteworthy that only 30% of the charging stations in 2024 are direct current fast chargers. Challenges such as high installation costs and grid capacity constraints must be addressed to meet targets this year and ensure nationwide accessibility to EV infrastructure, according to BIMB Securities Research. The research house also noted that the country's goal to increase the supply of affordable houses is achievable this year. The 12MP target of affordable houses is 500,000, and as of end-2024, 466,421 houses had been completed, under construction, or are in the planning stages nationwide. Meanwhile, BIMB Securities Research said Malaysia's target for agrofood production would not be achievable this year. Rice self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) reduced to 56.2% in 2023, way below than the 12MP target of 75% by 2025. The increasing reliance on imported rice has led to a declining SSR, the research house pointed out. It stated that there is an urgent need for stronger policies and investments to boost domestic rice production and enhance food security.
