Geographically, Thailand is ideally situated to gain from global investment relocations, and WHA is front and center as a gainer from this movement. This will lead WHA to strong 13-16% net profit growth in 2024F-2025F, backed by solid backlog and strong financial position. We initiate coverage of WHA as Outperform with 2025 TP of Bt6.60/share based on average 7-year PE of 17x, reflecting its earnings cycle.
Industrial estates look good in 2024-2025. Thailand is in a strong strategic position as geopolitical issues lead to widespread relocations and expansion by foreign investors into Thailand, particularly in automotive, electronics and appliance industries. In 2023, most industrial estate developers recorded new highs for land sales, supported by 23% growth in BoI approvals to a new high of Bt730bn, led by investors from China and Taiwan. This and next year we expect investment value to grow, fueled by continued relocations.
WHA transforming for growth. After 21 years of growth, WHA looks to be entering a stage of high growth with four-year (2020-2024) CAGR of 20% as it transforms into a high-tech company with strength in green development and ESG. We expect WHA to keep its lead in Thailand’s industrial estate sector.
Easing land sales target but high net profit growth. We forecast 2024 revenue of Bt12.8bn (-13.4%) on total land sales of 2,400 rai and transfer of 2,150 rai. Although revenue will step down from a change in revenue structure, we expect a wider gross margin on land sales backed by an increase of 15% in land price in 2024 and higher contribution from JV and investment, as a partial land transfer from 2024 will reflect the JV project (IER). We thus expect a strong net profit in 2024F of Bt4.99bn (+12.7%). Note that in 2024, there was no asset monetization in WHART (postponed to 2025), just for WHAIR in 2H24, with asset size of Bt1.06bn.
Risks and concerns. Geopolitical risk has benefited Thailand by raising foreign investment demand from 2023 but needs to be watched, as policy changes in important trading countries may affect future demand. For the utilities business, we also monitor regulatory risk and cost of raw materials.
ESG... aiming for net zero in 2050. With strength in the environmental (E) category, especially in energy and water management, and the use of sustainable products, WHA has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For ESG risk, WHA may lag in terms of labor and employment practices (S) and board and executive compensation (G).
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