Efficient Market Hypothesis
HBL was cheaper on PE terms a couple of years ago because people perceived the risks to be higher. Dairy and many related industries for example were up to their eyeballs in it.
Now the risks are widely perceived to be much lower and growth opportunities higher the market quite correctly and quite efficiently has re-priced the risk and PE accordingly.
Efficient Market Hypothesis Expanded - Its actually worth quite a bit more !
Why its worth more.
1. We cannot ignore the fact that HBL has grown its EPS faster in recent years than the Aussie banks.
2. This trend is set to continue, see below therefore a PE premium is warranted compared to its peer group.
3. The following are the forecast PE's for its peer group for FY17, FY18 and FY19 followed by average analyst expected EPS growth in percentage terms bolded from FY17 to FY19 All data off average analysis forecast off 4 traders
Bendigo BEN 13.2, 13.1, 13.3, EPS growth expected -1%
NAB 13.6, 13.4, 13 4%
WBC 14.5, 14, 13.6 6%
ANZ 13.4, 13.2 12.5 7%
Bank of Queensland BOQ 12.9, 12.6 12.3 4.5%
HBL 13.8 12.6 11.9 14%
The average FY19 PE which takes into account average forecasted growth to FY19 is 12.77
4. Even if you make the case, (which I don't) that HBL will only enjoy two more years of abnormal growth before reverting to the very modest rates the Australian banks are "enjoying" for HBL to be trading at the average of its peer group the SP is likely to outperform its peer group by 12.77 / 11.9 = 7.3% over the next two years.
5. Even now based on average estimated 2017 earnings the peer group is trading at an average PE of 13.56 and HBL at 13.8 represents only a tiny premium which taking into account its historical growth outperformance and projected stronger growth and I think the current market PE premium is not properly recognizing this superior growth.
6. I think given the distinct possibility that HBL's growth will continue to outperform its peers post FY19 I think that a minimum further 7.3% rerating will happen over the foreseeable future, probably this year.
7. Relative to its peer group I therefore value HBL at 1.64 + 7.3% = $1.76.
8. I think you can easily make the case that relative to its peer group given its considerably stronger historical and projected growth a PE premium of 1 on FY17 projected earnings is warranted.
Average FY 17 PE for Aussie banks excl HBL is 13.52.
HBL's current PE 13.8 HBL should be trading on a FY17 PE premium of at least 1 = 14.52 14.52 / 13.8 = 5.2% increase from here = $1.73
9. Investment case summary: I therefore think fair value for HBL is between $1.73 and $1.76 on an ex dividend basis and note it currently trades on a theoretical ex dividend price of $1.60.5 ($1.64- 0.035) so we have another ~ 10% rerating to go and then from there the price should continue to drift up in line with the 14% earnings growth to FY 19. My 2 year target price is therefore 1.76 x 1.14 = $2.01 and in the meantime based on 8.5 cps in annual fully imputed dividends we will be enjoying a gross dividend yield of 7.36% (8.5 / 160.5) / 0.72.
Disc: Hold and fully subscribed to dividend reinvestment plan.
Hoping for a psssssssssssssssssssssss rather than a bang
Welcome to the Heartland Bank B***s*** Bubble.
I am probably going to reverse my decision to take the DRP
Best Wishes
Paper Tiger