BYD reported 2019Q1 profit of RMB749.73M, up from RMB102.4M a year earlier.
Substantial surge of profit was buoyed by strong demand for its new energy vehicles (NEV).
NEVs are expected to continue to sell well in the second quarter, and NEV sales and revenues continue to maintain strong growth.
China's market for electric cars is booming, but profits in the sector have been squeezed by fierce competition between established firms and rival start-ups, as well as moves by the government plans to cut subsidies for the market to improve product quality and standards.
BYD sold over 117K vehicles in the first three months in 2019, up 5.2% y.o.y.
BYD popular models include its Tang-series electric cars – the company aims to sell 650K vehicles in 2019.
Margin pressure remains. The profitability of BYD's traditional vehicle segment faced pressure in 2018, given weakening consumer sentiment since the 2nd half of 2018.
Margin contraction for the handset business sets to continue, as we expect no great improvement in weak market demand and intensified market competition.
In the light of potential subsidy cut for NEV models in 2019, we expect the NEV segment's gross margin to fall below 20% to estimated 19% this year.
Based upon the above assumptions and forecast, we expect BYD's blended gross margin to narrow from 16.2% in 2018 to 15.8% in 2019.
BYD's shares closed at HK$47.25 on 21st June 2019.
PE Ratio = 44.533x.
PB Ratio = 2.207.
Dividend yield = 0.504.
Looking at BYD's daily price chart, BYD is making higher lows since 23 May (Low = HK$44.3), 6 June Low = HK$44.9 and 18 June Low = HK$45.1; after making successive lows, a solid base + support level has been formed.
BUY at support trend line = HK$45.3; target = HK$50.5, representing upside = 11.5%; cut-loss price = HK$43.5 (3% below the low of 6 June).
I, Michael Fung, am a licensed person under the Securities and Futures Commission. Until the date this commentary was published, neither I and/or my affiliates are the beneficiary of the securities mentioned herein or are entitled to any financial interests in relation thereto.
本人馮兆山為證監會持牌人士。截至本評論文章發表日止,本人及/或其有聯繫者並無持有全部提及之證券的所有相關財務權益.