The technology sector’s earnings delivery improved in the recently-concluded 4QCY23 reporting season sequentially with 23%, 62%, and 15% of companies under coverage coming in above, within and below forecasts, vs.15%, 38%, and 47% during the last quarter, respectively. According to Kenanga it believes the improvement could be attributed to a combination of seasonality and potentially the start of a cyclical upturn.
D&O finally turned the corner in 4QCY23, having missed its guidance for the past few quarters. It reported its highest
quarterly revenue of RM310m in 4QCY23, with a 33% QoQ jump in net profit to RM24.3m due to higher restocking orders for
its automotive LEDs from customers, particularly from China, which accounts for approximately 50% of the group’s revenue.
This was in line with reports from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), indicating significant
increases of 11.4%, 25.3%, and 23.3% in passenger car sales in the last three months of 2023.
PIE saw strong order volumes across its customers in the EMS segment, coupled with write-back of provisions for slow-
moving goods throughout the year and a lower tax rate resulting from received reinvestment allowances. Another positive surprise came from KGB underpinned by robust project deliveries across all operating markets, while margins improved due
to a favorable revenue mix.
“The worst is over’ outlook as guided by corporates, has gained more credibility this time, supported by the improved QoQ performance in 4QCY23. However, it should be noted that the bumper 4QCY23 is typically followed by a seasonal low cycle in 1QCY24 owing to the Chinese New Year break where companies have scheduled plant shutdown. With that said, a handful of companies are guiding that the seasonal lull in 1QCY24 may not necessarily be a drastic decline from 4QCY23. This is echoed by the likes of D&O which is expecting a mild QoQ dip, cushioned by on-going restocking activities. As such, the group is strengthening its regional sales teams by focusing on more design-in projects for which there is a growing market in India. Meanwhile, UNISEM (MP; TP: RM2.95) guided for a flattish QoQ performance, albeit from a low base. It is poised to initiate qualification for new products from new IDM customers, particularly in the areas of NAND flash, radio frequency switches, and MEMS microphones for US smartphones. Qualification is set to commence in 1HCY24, with pilot runs scheduled for 2HCY24, in line with the anticipation of more meaningful recovery for the group.
The house is keeping a neutral call on the sector, while Kenanga said it found it hard to distinguish between seasonality and potential start of a cyclical upturn in 4QFY23 numbers. It also encourages investors to focus on names that offer certainty in
earnings, pending confirmation that the sector as a whole has turned the corner.
Kenanga said it maintains high conviction on KGB owing to its ability to delivery resilient earnings thanks to: (i) it being a direct proxy to the front-end wafer fab expansion, (ii) its strong earnings visibility underpinned by its robust RM1.3b order book, and (iii) its strong foothold in multiple markets, i.e. Malaysia, Singapore and China. Additionally, INARI is liked as it has indicated a very strong ramp-up of its RF business, ability to turn positive quicker than its peers and still being able to retain its lucrative profit margins amidst the rising operating cost environment.
