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PUBLIC INVESTMENT BANK PublicInvest Research Sector Update Tuesday, June 22, 2021 KDNPP17686/03/2013(032117) TELECOMMUNICATIONS Neutral Celcom-Digi Merger: One Step Closer RECOMMENDATION TABLE Axiata Group (Axiata) and Digi.Com (Digi) have concluded the due diligence Current Target Upside Call exercise and sealed the transaction agreements for the proposed merger of Celcom (RM) (RM) (%) Axiata and Digi (MergeCo). Post-merger, the MergeCo’s net profit is estimated at DiGi 4.32 4.50 4.2 N about RM2bn with an implied valuation of RM47.6bn or 24x 1-year forward PER. Maxis 4.52 4.64 2.7 N However, this excludes the potential synergies (i.e. cost and capex savings) to be Axiata 3.98 4.00 0.5 N reaped in the future. Celcom is being valued at RM17.8bn, which is about 5% higher than our current valuation for Celcom. Digi is expected to issue 3,956.5m new TM 6.07 6.90 13.7 OP shares (@ RM4.06 per share) and fork out RM1.7bn cash to acquire 100% of Celcom. Based on our earnings forecast for Digi, the group is valued at 25x forward PER versus our valuation of 26x. All in all, we feel the valuation for Celcom and Digi Subscriber base is fair. We maintain our Neutral rating on Axiata and Digi. ('000) § Digi will acquire 100% equity interest of Celcom held by Axiata 8,000 Prepaid Postpaid Fair valuation. for a total consideration of RM17.8bn to be satisfied via the issuance of 3.883bn 6,000 new Digi shares to Axiata, representing 33.1% of the MergeCo and RM1.7bn cash. The remaining balance of RM300m cash will be settled via the issuance of 4,000 an additional 73.4m new Digi shares to Telenor Asia as nominee of Axiata. This 2,000 is part of the shares equalisation agreement to bring Telenor’s existing 49% stake in Digi to 33.1% of the enlarged entity. The difference would amount to 0 approximately RM300m (73.4m shares @ RM4.06 per share). Based on our Maxis DiGi Celcom estimates, Celcom and Digi are being valued at about 22x and 25x forward PER, which are close to our current valuations. This is also within our earlier Dividend yield estimate where Digi is being valued at a premium compared to Celcom. All in all, we view this proposed merger to be fairly valued. FY21F FY22F § Financial impact. The MergeCo is valued at a pre-synergy equity value of RM47.6bn or about 24x 1-year forward PER, based on an estimated net profit 6.0% of c.RM2bn. Management estimates a potential value accretion of RM8bn 4.0% through cost and capex synergies, on a net present value basis. Although the new Digi would see its enlarged share base increasing from 7,775m to 2.0% 11,731.5m, we estimate that the proposed merger would lead to a slight EPS 0.0% accretion of 1.8% (after accounting for interest cost from additional borrowing DiGi Maxis Axiata TM for the cash portion), given that Digi is being valued at a higher multiple than Celcom. Meanwhile, gross debt over EBITDA would increase from 1.8x to 2.8x. Axiata is expected to set aside the cash proceeds for repayment of borrowings and future investments, contrary to our expectation of a special dividend to reward shareholders. Axiata would recognise a gain on disposal of RM13.2bn. However, our preliminary estimates suggest that Axiata’s core profit may be reduced by about 10% owing to the net effect of de-consolidation of Celcom’s Eltricia Foong profit and share of profit of MergeCo (excluding potential synergies). T: 603 2268 3000 F: 603 2268 3013 E: [email protected] FINANCIAL SUMMMARY Company Price (RM) EPS (sen) EPS growth (%) PER (x) ROE (%) Dividend yield (%) @ 21 June 2021F 2022F 2021F 2022F 2021F 2022F 2021F 2022F 2021F 2022F DiGi 4.32 16.1 16.6 2.5 2.9 26.8 26.1 202.3 203.9 3.7 3.8 Maxis 4.52 18.3 19.1 4.2 4.2 24.6 23.6 20.1 20.8 3.9 4.0 Axiata 3.98 10.4 10.9 10.5 4.4 38.2 36.5 5.4 5.6 2.3 2.5 TM 6.07 30.3 32.6 13.8 7.5 20.0 18.6 15.0 14.9 2.5 2.7 Source: PublicInvest Research estimates 1 Important disclaimer is provided at the end of this report.| PUBLIC INVESTMENT BANK Page 1 of 3 PUBLIC INVESTMENT BANK BERHAD § Future prospects. Axiata and Telenor Asia will each own 33.1% stake of the MergeCo followed by EPF (9.9%), PNB (7.1%), KWAP (2.5%) and the remaining by other shareholders. The merged unit will see the combination of scale, experience and financial strength of both telco groups in positioning itself to address Malaysia’s increasing need for digital services under the MyDigital aspiration. Both Celcom and Digi brands will continue with an estimated 19m customer base. The proposed merger is expected to generate synergies and savings across network, IT, procurement and operations though may be limited by the commitment of no forced retrenchment to preserve employee welfare. The proposed merger is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the proposal is expected to be completed by 2Q2022. 2 Important disclaimer is provided at the end of this report.| PUBLIC INVESTMENT BANK Page 2 of 3 PUBLIC INVESTMENT BANK BERHAD RATING CLASSIFICATION STOCKS OUTPERFORM The stock return is expected to exceed a relevant benchmark’s total of 10% or higher over the next 12months. NEUTRAL The stock return is expected to be within +/- 10% of a relevant benchmark’s return over the next 12 months. UNDERPERFORM The stock return is expected to be below a relevant benchmark’s return by -10% over the next 12 months. TRADING BUY The stock return is expected to exceed a relevant benchmark’s return by 5% or higher over the next 3 months but the underlying fundamentals are not strong enough to warrant an Outperform call. TRADING SELL The stock return is expected to be below a relevant benchmark’s return by -5% or more over the next 3 months. NOT RATED The stock is not within regular research coverage. SECTOR OVERWEIGHT The sector is expected to outperform a relevant benchmark over the next 12 months. NEUTRAL The sector is expected to perform in line with a relevant benchmark over the next 12 months. UNDERWEIGHT The sector is expected to underperform a relevant benchmark over the next 12 months. 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