2014 Budget Highlight & Theme Stocks
Budget Themes Stocks:
Federal Government Revenue
• Projected to increase 2% (less than GDP growth of 5.0-5.5%) in 2014 on higher collection of corporate and individual income taxes. Petroleum income tax projected to drop 7% in 2014 on lower crude oil prices.
Federal Government Operating expenses
• Projected to increase 1%. Only major expenses forecast to drop are subsidies (by 16%) in 2014. This is offset by increases in all other expenses. The estimated amount for subsidies of RM46.7bn in 2013 is 24% higher than the initial projection stated in last year’s economic report.
Implications/View: Lower subsidies could weaken consumer spending
Fiscal deficit
• As percentage of GDP, fiscal deficit will fall to 3.5% of GDP in 2014 from 4.0% in 2013 (2012: 4.5%).
GDP growth
• The Government estimates GDP growth at 4.5-5.0% for2013 (DBS forecast: 4.3%) and 5.0-5.5% for 2014 (DBS: 5.2%).
Implications/View: By sector, growth in construction is highest in 2013 and 2014 – reflecting healthy order books.
Federal Government Debt
• Government debt projected to increase 8% y-o-y to RM541.3bn in 2013 on higher domestic debt (more investment issues and government securities).
• As percentage of GDP, government debt increases to 54.8% in 2013 from 53.3% in 2012. The Government to ensure this ratio does not exceed 55%of GDP.
Consumer (Discretionary)
• Though the lower subsidies and GST would be implemented together with targeted cash assistance and lower corporate and personal taxes, it may result in weaker consumer spending.
Implications/View: Weaker consumer spending could adversely affect Parkson (Hold) and Padini (Hold)
Property
• RPGT raised to 15-30% from 10-15% to curb speculative disposals within 5 years; no stamp duty hike
• Introduction of 6% GST but residential property prices and rentals exempted
• Higher minimum purchase price for foreigners (RM1m from RM500k/unit)
• Ban on DIBS; more transparent pricing structure
• Private Affordable Ownership Housing Scheme (MyHome) to provide RM30k/unit subsidy to private developers for building low-to-medium cost houses
Landed & mass housing developers, conglomerates and investment property owners more insulated (REITs, KLCC, IGB, Wing Tai Malaysia, Sunway, MKH, Glomac, SHL)
Gaming
• No gaming tax hike (despite wide speculation).
• Visit Malaysia Year 2014 & Year of Festivals 2015; extension of Pioneer & Investment Tax Allowance to 31 Dec 2016 for development of 4-5 star hotels
Implications/View: Positive – BST (Buy), Magnum (Buy)
Implications/View: GENM to benefit from higher tourist arrivals and tax incentives for its RM3bn refurbishment exercise at Genting Highlands (including construction of new 1300-room hotel)
REITs
• No change in withholding tax.
• Promotion of tourism sector via various incentives such as Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (targeting 28m tourists), Year of Festivals 2015 and RM1.2bn for operating and development expenditure in 2013 and 2014 inclusive of promotion and advertising.
Implications/View: Retail REITs to benefit from greater tourist footfall, translates to potentially higher tenant sales and greater capacity for rental reversion
Sugar
• Government to abolish sugar subsidy of RM0.34/kg, effective 26 October 2013. Potentially negative for MSM Malaysia on lower sugar demand
Telecoms
• Implementing the second phase of the High Speed Broadband (HSBB) project in collaboration with the private sector at an investment cost of RM1.8bn, which is expected to benefit 2.8m households nationwide, while internet speeds will be increased 10 Mbps.
• The HSBB network will be expanded to suburban areaswith internet access speed increasing to 4-10 Mbps, which is expected to benefit 2m consumers at RM1.6bn cost.
• Increasing internet coverage in rural areas via construction of 1,000 telecommunication transmission towers over 2013-2016 at an investment cost of RM1.5bn.
• New underwater cables will also be laid within 3 years for RM850m to increase internet access in Sabah and Sarawak.
Implications/View: Telekom Malaysia would be the most likely partner for HSBB network expansion, would translate to wider potential subscriber base but cautious on investment cost mix
Implications/View: Greater rural area access translates to potential gains in prepaid subscriptions for mobile operators
Plantation
• Government will continue its initiatives to encourage the agriculture sector in Malaysia. The Government will allocate a sum of RM2.4bn for subsidies and incentives which includes subsidies for fertilisers and seeds.
• Also, RM243m will be allocated for the replanting programme of palm oil, cocoa and rubber as well as forest plantation programme.
Implications/View: Likely only to benefit smaller plantations
Cigarette-makers
• Excise duties increased 14% ahead of Budget
Implications/View: Potential domestic volume risk for BAT (Hold), JTI (NR) as consumers may continue to be impacted by inflationary pressure
Source: DBS Vickers Research