Thursday 20 May 2010

Analysts differ on Wilmar’s prospects post scam claims

Analysts differ on Wilmar’s prospects post scam claims
By Lee Wei Lian May 20, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Analysts differed on the outlook for plantation giant Wilmar International Ltd following allegations of tax fraud.

Wilmar was alleged to have colluded with Indonesian tax officials to claim tax rebates worth 3.6 trillion rupiahs or RM1.24 billion, but Wilmar has said that its internal records will stand up to scrutiny.

Research house OSK Research said in a report today that shares of Wilmar could be a bargain after the counter fell by nearly 7 per cent yesterday on the Singapore stock exchange and that it was encouraged by Wilmar’s strong stand on the allegations.

“Should the company be able to sort out the issue, the stock will be a bargain even at these levels,” said OSK Research. “While the stock may still weaken somewhat from here, we believe it is now cheap enough for investors to start nibbling on.”

The report also noted that Wilmar has clarified that its COO Martua Sitorus is not personally under investigation for tax fraud allegations.

“We believe the market will be relieved as Martua was the person who spearheaded Wilmar’s expansion in Indonesia,” said OSK Research which maintained its “Buy” call on Wilmar.

A separate report by a local research house said that Wilmar shares will be affected by uncertainties arising from the allegations and said that if the RM1.24 billion in tax rebates were to be charged to Wilmar’s profit and loss account, it would reduce the group’s 2010 profits by 23 per cent.

“What is more detrimental is the reputational damage to the group,” said the research house. “We wonder if the Chinese government would start scrutinising Wilmar’s tax payments and accounts due to the allegations in Indonesia.”

The research house maintained a “hold” call on Wilmar due to potential earnings disappointment from lower operating margins, the impact of a potential slowdown in the China market which accounts for 70 per cent of Wilmar’s earnings and uncertainties arising from the tax claim allegations.

PBB Group Berhad holds a 18.4 per cent stake in Wilmar and its shares dropped nearly six per cent yesterday on news on the allegations. Wilmar accounts for about 75 per cent of the PBB Group’s profits.

PBB Group said yesterday that the claims were still uncertain as investigations by Wilmar had yet to be concluded.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/analysts-differ-on-wilmars-prospects-post-scam-claims/#When:04:23:23Z

No comments: