SC's profit surge, new condo launches and cheap valuation drive the stock
Q2 profit jumped 59% on COBE condo transfers SC's second-quarter profit rose 59% from a year earlier and 455% from the prior quarter, as transfers at the COBE Ratchada-Rama 9 condo began. Higher condo margins lifted gross margin to 29.2%. First-half profit rose 48%, and an interim dividend of 0.06 baht per share was approved.
The earnings jump is the core fundamental event that re-rated the stock this period.
New condo projects sell fast, lifting presales SC's new riverside condo Reference BAIE River Bangpho drew over 2 billion baht in bookings in two days, and COBE Ratchada-Rama 9 transferred over half its units within two months. Third-quarter presales rose 22% from a year earlier to 5.4 billion baht, led by condos.
Strong end-customer demand for new launches is the main forward driver of future revenue and profit.
H2 plan: 22 projects worth 28.3 billion baht SC will launch or relaunch 22 projects worth 28.3 billion baht in the second half, including the 11-billion-baht Reference BAIE River Bangpho and a luxury Rama IV condo. It also plans about 8 billion baht of land purchases, with over three-quarters already secured, and is expanding warehouses and US rental apartments.
The launch pipeline and land investment show management's confidence in future growth, supporting the stock.
Cheap valuation and high dividend draw buyers Brokers kept buy ratings with target prices of 2.30 to 2.96 baht, well above the 1.95 baht price, citing a price-to-earnings ratio of only about 5 times and a dividend yield of 7-8%. SC was named a top pick for its interim dividend and for accumulating before the ex-dividend date.
Low valuation and high yield are the main reasons investors are buying the stock now.