not vested
APEX EQUITY HOLDINGS BHD
NON-BANK backed brokerage Apex Equity Holdings Bhd has possibly the strongest balance sheet among its peers, with a huge war chest of cash amounting to RM107mil and very minimal borrowings.
It is also one of the more efficient stock broking firms in the country.
Excluding all other income generators such as margin financing interests, dividends and underwriting fees, Apex made a net profit margin of about 9 per cent at its peak, believed to be significantly higher than most of its peers.
One of the firm’s strengths lies in the good management of its kiosks located naionwide twhich enables its clients to conduct trades.
There is also a possible merger and acquisition play for this counter this year as expectations are that the stock broking firm will see the emergence of new shareholders which should be able to add more value to it.
Just to recap, the firm’s executive chairman Chan Guan Seng who is the company’s third largest shareholder has said that he is keen to sell out of the Kajang-based firm and he is now reportedly looking towards East Asia for potential buyers of his stake.
Based on valuations of previous deals among local brokers where stockbroking firms were transacted at 1.1 to 1.9 times book value, a stake sale of Apex based on its current asset value could be transacted anywhere between RM1.52 and RM2.62.
In terms of shareholding, foreigners are allowed to own up to 70% equity in stockbroking firms in Malaysia.
While Chan himself has a 8.34% stake in Apex, it is understood that he is linked to other major shareholders in the firm as well.
Meanwhile, Apex has been paying out consistent dividends over the years, giving shareholders 8 sen per share which translates into a yield of 5.5% in its latest financial year.
Risks of buying into Apex include a mundane stock market which is closely related to the company’s core business and no M&A deal sealed.
Source: The Star