Singapore Stock Picks GuocoLeisure: SGD 0.84 BUY (TP: SGD1.43)

Dawn Of a New Era GLL is embarking on a hotel-operator model that will see it expanding to 100 major cities by 2023. Its hotel division CEO, Michael DeNoma, has an impressive record for value-creation in his previous appointments, and we are positive on his execution capability. We reduce our holding company discount from 30% to 20%.

 Maintain BUY, with a higher TP of SGD1.43. New broosweepm s clean. Since Michael DeNoma came on board as CEO of GLL’s hotel operations about two years ago, the group has embarked on an overhaul of its business model, retrofitting its flagship hotels to revitalise earnings while introducing new brands to serve niche segments more effectively. Underpinning the overall strategy is a vision to become a global hotel operator with a presence in 100 major cities by 2023.

Capable CEO whose interest is aligned with shareholders’. Mr DeNoma has a sound record in creating value in his previous capacity as CEO of Standard Chartered Global Consumer Bank. With his experience in brand-building coupled with GLL’s portfolio of prime hotel properties, the shift towards an asset-light hotel management model will enhance returns on capital as well as catalyse the stock’s re-rating. Notably, the interests of Mr DeNoma and his top managers – who have received up to 33m share options exercisable at SGD0.86 each - are aligned, and there is now incentive to move the options deep into the money.

  Earnings on an upswing. London’s hospitality market is poised for strong gains in 2014-15, with revpar (revenue per available room) projected to grow 4-5% over 2014-15 as hoteliers regain pricing power, spurred by rising corporate demand. As one of the largest hotel operators in London, we expect GLL to benefit from the upswing. While retrofitting cost will weigh on earnings in the current year, this will be offset by interest savings from expiring high-cost mortgage bonds.

Maintain BUY, with higher TP of SGD1.43. We are reducing our holding company discount from 30% to 20% as the group makes the transition to an earnings-driven model. GLL has defined hospitality as its core business, while its non-core assets such as its Molokai property or Bass Straits Royalty may be divested at the right price, with the potential proceeds re-invested in its hospitality business

Source: DMG Research