YTL Power to be privatized? (Oct 2011)

According to The Edge over the weekend, "rumours are swirling that YTL Group has hired local investment bankers to work on a possible corporate exercise that could result in its restructuring".  YTL Power and YTL Land, whereby YTL Corp has a 51.7% and 57.9% stake in respectively, are said to be targets for privatization or share swap exercises to align the group.

Well, if this is true, it definitely will boost the said target companies share prices. Before jumping to the conclusion, let us get the view from professionals. With that, we have a timely article from RHB Research who touched on this matter as below:

"We believe the likelihood of a privatization is low, as its FY12 PE of 12.8x is not much lower than its 5-year average forward PE of 14.7x. Besides, YTL Power's FY12 PE is similar to the 13x PE used for our end-2012 FBM KLCI 1,385 target."

"Also, we believe it will be very costly to privatize YTL Power. While YTL Power could take on more debt to facilitate such a privatization, it would significantly hamper its ability to acquire distressed utility assets in Europe."

"Our calculations indicate that at RM2.21 (assuming a 20% premium to its last traded price of RM1.84), YTL Corp would need RM8.3bn to buy out the remaining 48.3% equity stake held by minorities and assuming full conversion of outstanding warrants. A share swap is more likely as there is not much cash at the holding company, YTL Corp."

Any synergies from consolidating?

"We do not see much synergies in realigning the companies via a share swap exercise if YTL Corp were to consolidate YTL Power and YTL Land into a single entity, since there is little overlap among these businesses."

Investment case...

"We maintain our Market Perform call on YTL Power with an unchanged SOP-derived fair value of RM2.00. YTL Power offers a decent net dividend yield of 5.1% - the key investment thesis for the stock. While news flow will lift short-term sentiment, concerns over expanding WiMAX losses may cap longer-term upside potential".

Source: RHB research report dated 17th Oct 2011

Why and Why Not Telco pass through the 6% service tax?

Since the very first second the announcement was made, every quarters are fuming on the extra burden they should bare if it goes through. Here, it involves everyone in Malaysia, even foreign workers who are mostly prepaid subscribers. On this topic, Finance Malaysia has some words to say.

Picture taken from bigmacky.wordpress.com

In this modern world, mobile phones has become a necessity to us. Some may say: "I can sleep without pillow, or lost my wallet, but I cannot separate from my mobile phone". As such, does it mean that telcos can held you "ransom" on using their services? Since this is called "service tax", did telcos do their part in providing the good services (if not the best)?

3 Reasons why Telcos should not pass through the 6% service tax?

1. Coverage is suck in certain areas, still. There are rounds of complaints on line-dropping issues. Yup. They fixed it after that. But, the same old problems come back to haunt consumers after awhile.
2. Customer service is suck. At least, I am using the largest telco's service in Malaysia. But, I did not proud to say that either. Because, the respond to solve my issue is suck.
3. Crazily high charges. Comparing with neighbor countries, you will found out why Malaysian are labeled as "rich". Even with the "Value Plans" offered, consumers here are still paying high charges, whereby the really rich telcos boost their profit margin by squeezing consumers.

But...

Does telcos need to get the approval from MCMC first? No.

Does telcos obliged to absorb the 6% service tax at the first place? No.

Then, why not telcos pass the extra burden to end users like us? Emm...

Service tax is imposed by government on all services being offered in Malaysia. No sector constrain. No industry constrain. If we're paying 6% service tax on food outlets or shopping malls, why not prepaid or post-paid mobile services? Who is the main beneficiaries from the 6% service tax? Government or Telcos?

Hey Malaysians, YOU got the answer?

Broad-Ban in Malaysia?

Forget about the old fixed line internet connections anymore. We have the on-the-go broadband services, which provide almost unlimited boundaries for internet lover to surf anytime anywhere. However, you may not know a very unpleasant scenario is happening in Malaysia (at least I found out now).

Although I comment about TM's monopoly status in fixed line internet connection previously, I still prefer Streamyx for its unlimited surfing, lower monthly charges, and stable connectivity. Most importantly, more than one people can online at the same time, without extra fees. Whereas, broadband cannot.

Don't know #1

Recently, I moved to a new area, and hopes to subscribe for Streamyx (fixed line internet service provided by TM). However, I was shock to found out that I cannot subscribe for Streamyx, because my area was under Maxis territory. Wow… Sounds like I am living in the battle-field, where Maxis won the game!!!


The reason given was that my area's telephone line is bought over by Maxis, and Streamyx needs the telephone line to connect. Since this was the only fixed line internet service you can find in Malaysia, and again thanks to TM's monopoly status, I have no choice, but to look for broadband service.


Don't know #2

Then, I subscribe for a broadband service, but, the connection is slow (running at below 100kbps during peak hours). Can you imagine how slow 100kbps is? It's like opening a single website until you felt asleep. So, I went to another service provider to en-quire  theirs. Thanks for his honesty, he told me that if you are staying near the mountain, and in an apartment unit above 5 storey, you can't expect to get a good connection.


Conclusions… Broad-Ban

Are we living in a business friendly society, in the expense of public's freedom of choice? 
First, Maxis is wrong by conquering certain areas, which undermine the choice of citizen there. 
Second, why TM agreed to let go some of its assets?


Finance Malaysia thinks that Rakyat should be given to freedom to choose for their preferred service. Business owners should cares about the difficulties faced by Rakyat. And, government should monitor the latest development which could affect the welfare of Rakyat. Internet services are very important our daily lives now. Oh my dear Malaysians.


*The telecommunication company is expanding its territory now. Would your area be the next battle-field?

Why you should DUMP YTL-e, and, BUY YTL-Power now?

After successfully riding on the mini Bull market of KLCI, YTL-e is the star performer of YTL group of companies. From around RM0.80, charging upwards to RM1.70 now, YTL-e was the Top Gainer of October. However, Finance Malaysia (FM) is wondering what the reason was behind.

• First, people are crazy of YTL-e because of its impending WiMax broadband services to be rolling out this coming 18^th November
  
• And, the above is the only reason. Nothing else.
  

Why should you DUMP YTL-e now?

• The business of WiMax 4G is under YTL Communications, which is a wholly own subsidiary of YTL Power.
  
• Meaning, the success of the project would benefit YTL Power, not YTL-e.

Why should you BUY YTL-Power now?

• As mentioned, YTL Power is the ultimate owner of the WiMax broadband business.
  
• Management of YTL hints that their service would be the most competitive and attractive in Malaysia.
  
• YTL Power pays very good dividends annually.
  
• YTL Power is a laggard among blue-chip counters.
  

Then, what was there for YTL-e?

The WiMax license is awarded to YTL-e. Therefore, YTL Power will pay license fees to YTL-e annually, and that's it.


Why the service called YES?
Is it meaning YTL-E Solution (Y.E.S)?

What Malaysians really want from Telcos?

Recently, a little bit of whirlwind is happening in the local telecommunication industry, when Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) awarding the 2.6GHz spectrum to mobile telcos.

Why battling for the spectrum?

Without spectrum, mobile telcos will not be able to expand their digital business. That's why many quarters are lobbying hard for the precious spectrum allocations. The latest one is the 2.6GHz spectrum.

Who is the winner?

Surprisingly, all the 8 existing wireless players and 1 newcomer (see picture below) get 20Mhz block each. The only newcomer is a company linked to tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.

Controversial part...

Unlike practices did by other global governments, there is NO tendering process being called. No tender, No contest, No transparent, No competition. In the end, No benefit to rakyat.

All these years, Rakyat has been suffering from high telephone bills comparing to other nations. Furthermore, the service and coverage is not up to international standard. To name it specifically, our broadband and Internet connections is suck given the price we are paying for. Achieving high-income nation status with current speed and price? Sure will failed...

What Malaysians want is better coverage, lower price, higher speed of Internet services to connect with the world out there. How are we going to do business online with the world? Dear telcos and MCMC, please think about it, for the benefit of Rakyat (YOU and Me).