A recent report issued by Beltone Financial expects Porto Group's sales to come in at EGP 3.4bn in 2018 and EGP 3.8bn next year from its existing projects. The research firm has initiated its coverage for Porto Group with a fair value (FV) of EGP 0.44 per share, with a buy rating. Sales for 2017 are expected to reach EGP 2.8bn, with an increase of 33% year-over-year. The research firm also expects a 3-year earnings compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 56% and an average dividend payout ratio of 50%. Beltone's valuation for Porto Heliopolis adds EGP 0.06 to 0.07 per share to its FV estimation, an additional upside of 14% to 16%. Porto Heliopolis is located close to Cairo International Airport and between two fully developed areas in Egypt, namely Nasr City and Heliopolis, where almost no competition exists. "We highlight this project as the main trigger to boost sales after 2019, as we believe the inventory available for sale should be mostly sold by that time." "We expect most of the launched inventory in the existing projects to be finalised in two to three years; hence, we foresee no growth starting in 2020 unless new projects are launched," the report noted. Other regional projects are Porto Dead Sea and Porto Agadir, which are key value additions to the current FV once more guidance is provided. Interest rate cuts will be another trigger as more liquidity should be driven into the sector. Beltone Financial expects Porto's gross profit margin to reach 40% in 2020, from 32% in 2017. Egyptian expatriates, who earn their income in foreign currency, have become a target client for developers post-floatation as they find real estate now cheaper by at least 50%, the report highlighted. The report also praised the company's management as it has increased the contribution to sales from mixed-use family homes, which is less prone to seasonality, to reach 69% by the end of September 2017, versus 40% historically before the split from Amer Group. The company has generously distributed dividends during 2016 with a payout ratio of 77%. However, Beltone forecasts a decrease to 50% as the company is in dire need to expand its land bank. Meanwhile, Pharos Research has maintained its FV valuation of Al Baraka Bank's stock at EGP 16.50, with an overweight recommendation. The valuation is based on a set of key assumptions that underpin the growth potential for the bank, according to a note issued last week. "Forecasted improvement in corporate financing momentum, as the investment climate in Egypt starts to revive, a faster pickup in non-funded income fuelled by the potential pickup in financing activity," were the main factors in the research company's valuation. On a separate note, the research firm has updated its FV for Suez Canal Bank to EGP 18.50. Suez Canal Bank has been able to achieve significant profits during 2017 after years of zero bottom-line to cover the gap between non-performing loans and provisions, Pharos Research highlighted. The research company projected that 2018 will be another positive year for the bank, due to the magnitude of net profit that might beat expectations. The bank's net profit soared to EGP 94.5m in the third quarter (Q3) of 2017 from zero profits in Q3 2016. Lending growth is expected to increase to EGP 2.407m in 2022, versus EGP 1.068m in 2017, the report indicated. "Accordingly, we assume interest income to operating income to gather pace over our forecast horizon," Pharos noted. The bank may consider a capital increase over the coming period, Pharos said, pointing out that the bank's capital is above the Central Bank of Egypt's (CBE) minimum. Suez Canal Bank is forecast to see a significant turnaround in asset quality in 2018, according to the report.
