LPN reported an in-line net profit of Bt104mn (-55.9% YoY but +19.3% QoQ) backed by transfers of a new condo, Lumpini Condotown Ekachai 48. 9M23 net profit was Bt336mn (-41.5%). We have downgraded our 2023F and 2024F to reflect lower demand for ready-to-move and under construction projects completing from 4Q23 onward, and a narrowed gross margin, pressured by low-rise. We now forecast a 22% fall in 2023F net profit. We keep our tactical call of Underperform with a reduced 2024 TP of Bt3.80/sh (from Bt4.30/sh) based on PE of 10.5x. 3Q23 net profit in line. LPN reported 3Q23 net profit of Bt104mn (-55.9% YoY but +19.3% QoQ), in line with market forecast. Revenue was Bt1.99bn (-52.6% YoY but +15% QoQ), 70% from real estate sales, backed by transfers of the new Lumpini Condotown Ekachai 48 (project value Bt2.27bn, 23% sold, 7% transferred). The remaining 30% was rental and management income. Gross margin was 22% for both real estate and rental and management income. 9M23 net profit was Bt336mn (-41.5%). 9M23 presales achieved 61% of target. LPN reported 3Q23 presales of Bt2.58bn (-44% YoY and -4% QoQ), 81% from condos with value up 64% YoY (but down 7% QoQ), backed by one new launch: Earn by LPN (project value Bt2.1bn, take-up rate 9%), with 19% from low-rise, where value dropped 29% YoY but grew 9% QoQ. 9M23 presales reached Bt8bn, 61% of its 2023 presales target of Bt13bn (+19% YoY). We expect it to miss its presales target by ~20%, reaching ~Bt10.5bn (flat YoY). In 4Q23, LPN is planning to launch one condo; Place 168 Wutthakat (project value Bt860mn) and one low-rise, Venue 24 Pracha Uthit 90 (project value Bt1.1bn). This will bring total new launches in the year to Bt12.5bn, 10% below target. Downgrade 2023 and 2024. Current backlog is Bt2.81bn, 90% condos and 10% low-rise. Of this, 31% will be booked in 4Q23, chiefly from continuing transfers at Lumpini Condotown Ekachai 48, with 37% in 2024, 14% in 2025 and 17% in 2026. In view of the low take-up rate on projects scheduled to be transferred in 2023-2024 and lower demand for ready-to-move projects, we downgrade our 2023F revenue by 6% and 2024F by 9%. We now estimate 2023F net profit of Bt477mn (-22%), 20% below our earlier forecast and a 2024F net profit of Bt509mn (+6.8%), 24% below previous forecast. Concerns and issues to monitor: 1) LPN plans to launch at least Bt10bn in low-rise projects in 2024, with probably no new condo. We see this as positive to cash flow management since the cash cycle for condos is by nature longer. However, this is negative for profitability since condos bring in a higher gross margin at 22-24% vs. 18-20% for low-rise. 2) Because of a low take-up rate at launch through availability to transfer, end-3Q23 condo inventory hit a new high of Bt21bn, working out to 3.5-4 years absorption. Maintain Underperform, cut TP. We stand by our tactical call of Underperform with a 2024 TP of Bt3.8/sh (from Bt4.3/sh) based on PE of 10.5x. |