KUALA LUMPUR: Supermax Corp Bhd's net profit on the first quarter of financial year 2023 (Q1FY23) are below expectations, said Affin Hwang Capital.
The firm said Supermax's Q1FY23 earnings of RM5.7 million was down 99 per cent year-on-year and formed 10 per cent of its previous full-year estimate.
Affin Hwang expects Supermax's upcoming quarter to register losses from the downward pressure in average selling prices (ASPs) and sales volume faced by Malaysian glove makers alongside higher gas costs.
"Certain overseas distribution units incurred losses in Q1FY23 as they had been selling high-priced inventories at the low market prices," note its analyst Andrew Lim.
The firm noted that Supermax had earmarked RM3.9 billion for its planned expansion, with RM1.3 billion allocated for Malaysia and RM2.6 billion for the United States (US).
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the group will manufacture its first gloves in the US in 2023.
On the other hand, the Malaysian expansion will only take place once market conditions improve.
"The group currently has 26 billion pieces p.a. worth of production capacity and the proposed expansion would bring an additional capacity of 22 billion/9.6 billion pieces p.a. from Malaysia/the US respectively," it said.
Affin Hwang has an "Underweight" stance on the rubber product sector, given the excess production capacity in the market coupled with intense competition from Chinese manufacturers placing downward pressure on ASPs.
Affin Hwang said it had terminated its coverage on Supermax due to reallocation of resources and a challenging outlook for the stock.
"Our last rating on Supermax was a 'Sell' with a target price of 70 sen," it added.