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Contents
Research Highlights
EDF is trading at a 15% discount to our EUR 28 per share fair value estimate. The
firm's narrow moat and more-regulated cash flows provide more stability than its
diversified European peers. Upside to new nuclear development and new European
capacity markets also trump peers', demonstrated in the first U.K. auction results.
Risks to EDF's equity include U.K. retail margin erosion, French government policy
changes, legal threats to Hinckley Point, and value-dilutive asset swapping. We don't
think any are severe enough to force a dividend cut anytime soon.
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
We can't deny that the values achieved in the AWS-3 auction raise the probability that one of
the carriers will look to acquire DISH's spectrum. We've raised our DISH fair value estimate to
$50 per share from $40. However, we still believe DISH faces a tough hurdle with the buildout
requirements on its AWS-4 holdings. A heavy dose of leverage now adds to the time pressures
the firm may face in the near future. We suggest investors avoid DISH shares at current prices
and instead wait for spectrum values (and DISH's share price) to retreat and/or see how the
firm's wireless strategy shakes out.
For further information, please contact:
Michael Hodel, CFA | +1 312-696-6578 | michael.hodel@morningstar.com
Research Highlights
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing: an Update on Shanghai Hong Kong Stock
Connect
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect launched on Nov. 17, 2014. While trading volume on the
scheme is much lower than anticipated because of compliance issues, we believe it is a longterm positive for wide moat-rated Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. The scope of the
scheme can be expanded by increasing the quota under the scheme and widening the
tradeable universe of investment products, and a link with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange is also
likely. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing will benefit from higher trading and clearing revenue,
but the upside, in our view, is priced into the current share price.
Key Takeaways
We believe the low trading volume is attributable to low participation by institutional funds,
as a result of compliance issues and a lack of investment education for retail investors. The
latter is also hampered by attractive returns offered by non-listed investment products in
mainland China, along with an implicit guarantee on the principal as the government steps
in to prevent a default situation.
Trading volume should increase over the longer term as mainland investors' market
knowledge matures, returns on trust products decline, the investable universe widens and
more investment products are included in the scheme.
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect is a first step in the liberalization of the mainland
Chinese market, in our opinion. The next phases of liberalization would see an expansion in
the quota set at the launch of the scheme, an expansion into companies with smaller
capitalization and a possible link to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
We believe Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is overvalued. Shanghai Hong Kong Stock
Connect is off to a slow start and contribution to earnings is low. While the underlying
trading volume on the exchange improved in the second half of fiscal 2014, we believe an
improvement over the longer term is priced into the current share price.
Best Ideas
Fair
Value
Price/
Fair
Value
Market
Cap
Economic
Moat
Rating
Uncertainty
Rating
Morningstar
Rating
0.78
5.67
None
High
QQQQ
40
0.79
167.96
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
2,175
0.69
80.12
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
62
0.77
15.19
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
36
0.48
0.74
Narrow
High
QQQQQ
Rohr,
Daniel
400
0.93
173.63
Wide
High
QQQ
Hottovy,
R.J.
19
0.74
10.26
Narrow
High
QQQQ
Han, Brian
48
0.86
17.58
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
Weishaar,
Bridget
36.25
48
0.76
58.38
None
High
QQQQ
Whiston,
David
338.00
430
0.79
7.94
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
Gorham,
Philip
147.94
169
0.88
9.82
Wide
High
QQQ
Katz,
Jaime
1,044.60
1,822
0.57
54.69
Narrow
High
QQQQQ
Wasiolek,
Dan
527.50
550
0.96
3.73
Narrow
Medium
QQQ
403.20
565
0.71
22.44
Wide
High
QQQQ
19
0.93
275.84
Wide
High
QQQ
Price
Analyst
Basic Materials
Alumina Ltd
2.02
(AWC)
BHP Billiton
31.55
Ltd (BHP)
BHP Billiton
1,505.00
PLC (BLT)
Nucor Corp
47.63
(NUE)
Rayonier
Advanced
17.29
Materials Inc.
(RYAM)
Consumer Cyclical
Amazon.com
373.89
Inc (AMZN)
Crown Resorts
14.09
Ltd (CWN)
Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles
41.50
NV (FCAU)
Gap Inc (GPS)
General
Motors Co
(GM)
Kingfisher PLC
(KGF)
Priceline
Group Inc
(PCLN)
REXAM PLC
(REX)
Swatch Group
AG (UHR)
Taylor,
Mark
Taylor,
Mark
Taylor,
Mark
Lane,
Andrew
Wenning,
Todd
Swinand,
Paul
Consumer Defensive
Ambev SA
(ABEV3)
17.60
Gorham,
Philip
Best Ideas
Price
Fair
Value
Price/
Fair
Value
Market
Cap
Economic
Moat
Rating
Uncertainty
Rating
Morningstar
Rating
BG Group PLC
(BG.)
934.90
1,400
0.67
31.92
Narrow
Medium
QQQQQ
BP PLC (BP)
41.38
54
0.77
126.29
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
26.66
46
0.58
11.01
Narrow
High
QQQQQ
Hanson,
Mark
13.80
22
0.63
10.23
Narrow
High
QQQQ
Meats,
David
7.11
21
0.34
46.37
None
Very High
QQQQQ
Good,
Allen
8.10
18
0.45
7.92
Narrow
High
QQQQQ
Taylor,
Mark
24.55
40
0.61
9.47
Narrow
High
QQQQ
Ellis,
Stephen
34.90
39
0.89
96.53
Wide
Medium
QQQQ
Ellis, David
4.88
0.65
36.85
Narrow
High
QQQQ
Puls,
Timothy
15.97
18
0.89
167.95
Narrow
High
QQQ
Sinegal,
Jim
75.78
93
0.81
42.13
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
Werner,
Dan
38.93
45
0.87
16.77
Narrow
Medium
QQQQ
Warren,
Greggory
75.81
94
0.81
54.11
Narrow
High
QQQQ
Davis, Erin
Analyst
Energy
Good,
Allen
Simko,
Stephen
Best Ideas
Price/
Fair
Value
Market
Cap
Economic
Moat
Rating
Uncertainty
Rating
Morningstar
Rating
Price
Fair
Value
274.67
330
0.83
72.80
Wide
Low
QQQQ
Waterhouse,
Michael
71.36
84
0.85
38.68
Wide
Low
QQQQ
Andersen,
Karen
52.45
57
0.92
10.88
Narrow
Medium
QQQ
87.90
95
0.93
33.52
Wide
Medium
QQQ
194.51
220
0.88
27.62
Narrow
High
QQQ
85.00
91
0.93
112.27
Wide
Medium
QQQ
43.64
53
0.82
4.01
None
High
QQQQ
54.50
53
1.03
6.11
Narrow
High
QQQ
63.69
75
0.85
105.06
Wide
Medium
QQQQ
21.00
28
0.75
8.18
None
High
QQQQ
37.03
41
0.90
31.83
Wide
Medium
QQQ
Analyst
Health Care
Actavis PLC
(ACT)
Baxter
International
Inc (BAX)
Catamaran
Corp (CTRX)
Elekta AB
(EKTA B)
Illumina Inc
(ILMN)
Sanofi (SAN)
Lekraj,
Vishnu
Morozov,
Alex
Waterhouse,
Michael
Conover,
Damien
Industrials
AGCO Corp
(AGCO)
MSCI Inc
(MSCI)
Technology
Qualcomm Inc
(QCOM)
Utilities
Calpine Corp
(CPN)
Exelon Corp
(EXC)
Webb,
Kwame
Wahlstrom,
Peter
Colello,
Brian
Bischof,
Andrew
Miller,
Travis
Highlighted Stocks
Industry
Asset Management
Price/Fair
Value
0.61
Fair Value
Uncertainty
High
Economic
Moat Rating
Narrow
In our opinion, Apollo remains deeply undervalued, as investors do not appreciate the healthy
secular tailwinds toward increased allocations to alternative asset managers by institutional
investors, the higher levels of profitability versus traditional asset managers, and Apollo's
opportunity to potentially nearly triple credit AUM to $250 billion from $108 billion today.
Analyst Note as of 05 Feb 2015:
Apollo's fourth-quarter results were mixed, as it lapped a strong incentive fee performance from
2013, which caused significant year-over-year declines in economic net income. However, we
plan to maintain our $40 fair value estimate and narrow moat rating, as we consider Apollo's
2015 outlook to be healthier. We believe the current dislocation in the energy markets and the
continued challenges with credit, particularly European credit, play to Apollo's strengths, and
Apollo should be able to take advantage of solid investing opportunities going forward. In our
opinion, Apollo remains deeply undervalued, as investors do not appreciate the healthy secular
tailwinds toward increased allocations to alternative asset managers by institutional investors,
the higher levels of profitability versus traditional asset managers, and Apollo's opportunity to
potentially nearly triple credit AUM to $250 billion from $108 billion today.
Apollo's quarterly results were generally weak. Total economic net income was $93.8 million
versus $444.0 million last year, thanks primarily to a decline in incentive fee income, particularly
within private equity. Apollo's private equity funds were up less than 1% during the quarter.
Total AUM declined to $159.8 billion from $163.9 billion over the same time frame due to
$5.7 billion in realizations that was only somewhat offset by capital inflows. We anticipate
better performance on this front, as we expect Apollo to raise new energy and credit funds in
2015 to supplement its $33 billion in uncalled capital commitments. Distributable net income
was $1.4 billion for 2014 versus $1.8 billion in 2013, thanks again to lower incentive income.
(continued on next page)
10
Highlighted Stocks
11
Highlighted Stocks
Fair
Value
21
Price/Fair
Value
0.34
Fair Value
Uncertainty
Very High
Economic
Moat Rating
None
Though expensive based on its forward multiple, Petrobras trades at a steep discount to our
discounted cash flow-derived fair value estimate. While fraught with risks, Petrobras' shares are
compelling below our Consider Buying price, as improving upstream operations in 2014 and the
eventual waning of downstream losses mean the worst is probably over. However, the
uncertainty surrounding the corruption investigation will likely act as a headwind to near-term
share price appreciation. As a result, we are increasing our uncertainty rating to very high
from high.
Analyst Note as of 04 Feb 2015:
Petrobras announced Wednesday the departure of CEO Maria das Gracas Foster and five
executive board members, confirming press reports from the day before. While she had
reportedly offered her resignation to Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff several times in the past
few months, it was not accepted. The inability to finalize an impairment charge related to the
corruption scandal and issue audited results may have been the final straw, however.
We initially were impressed by Foster when she took the reins in 2012 and slashed unrealistic
production targets and focused on cutting costs and investment levels. However, her tenure
since has been marred by continued government influence, downstream losses, and most
recently the corruption scandal, which resulted in a cratering stock price.
We think her resignation could be a step in the right direction to restore market confidence. But
whether it does ultimately depends on her successor and his or her ability to deliver audited
financial statements. Our preference is for a respected industry veteran, but with the
government making the decision, the new CEO is just as likely to be a politically connected
bureaucrat. We'd find the latter a disappointment and doubt it would be well received by the
market. If the government is serious about moving beyond the corruption scandal and past
operational issues, we suggest it go with the former.
(continued on next page)
12
Highlighted Stocks
We are not changing our fair value estimate because of this announcement but continue to
update our forecast based on recently issued guidance. Our moat rating is unchanged. As
demonstrated by today's announcement, Petrobras will continue to command its share of
headlines, positive and negative. However, we still see the shares as materially undervalued
based on improving operating performance.
Valuation as of 18 Nov 2014:
We are lowering our fair value estimate to $21 per ADR from $23 after updating our forecasts
with lower oil prices and a weaker domestic currency. Our fair value estimate implies an
enterprise value/EBITDA multiple of 7.3 times our 2015 EBITDA forecast of $36 billion. Though
expensive based on its forward multiple, Petrobras trades at a steep discount to our discounted
cash flow-derived fair value estimate. While fraught with risks, Petrobras' shares are compelling
below our Consider Buying price, as improving upstream operations in 2014 and the eventual
waning of downstream losses mean the worst is probably over. However, the uncertainty
surrounding the corruption investigation will likely act as a headwind to near-term share price
appreciation. As a result, we are increasing our uncertainty rating to very high from high.
After slightly lower domestic oil production in 2013, we expect steady growth of 3%-5% in
2014-16, slightly below management's guidance of 4%-6%. The latest guidance for 2014
production growth is 5.5%-6%, a decrease from 7.5%. Domestic natural gas volumes should
see growth as well, as infrastructure is added to send gas onshore. We think Petrobras' latest
long-term production forecast is more realistic compared with earlier years, but we continue to
risk its targets to arrive at our forecast.
We forecast the refining segment could actually be profitable over the next couple of years if
lower prices hold and the domestic currency strengthens from current levels. Otherwise losses
through are likely to persist for several more years given the gap between domestic and
international prices. While lower oil prices benefits the downstream segment, they reduce
upstream earnings and vice versa, with gains or losses in one segment largely offsetting
the other.
(continued on next page)
13
Highlighted Stocks
In our discounted cash flow model, our benchmark Brent oil prices are based on Nymex futures
contracts for 2014-16. For oil, we use $103 per barrel in 2014, $82 in 2015, and $86 in 2016.
Our long-term oil price forecast for 2017-18 is $100. Our DCF valuation uses a cost of equity
of 12%.
Analyst:
Allen Good, CFA | +1 312-384-3867 | allen.good@morningstar.com
14
Highlighted Stocks
Industry
Retail Apparel &
Specialty
Fair
Value
Price/Fair
Value
Fair Value
Uncertainty
Economic
Moat Rating
17.58
48
0.86
Medium
Narrow
41.50
We are maintaining our narrow moat, positive moat trend rating, but are closely monitoring our
standard stewardship rating in light of what we perceive to be strong strategic and fast-paced
organizational and operational changes. Further prudent capital decisions by new Gap
leadership could result in an increase to this stewardship rating. With the stock trading 14%
below our fair value estimate, Gap remains one of our favorite ideas in the consumer cyclical
space with what we perceive to be an underappreciated margin expansion story driven by rapid
response initiatives and an undervalued asset in the Athleta brand.
Analyst Note as of 29 Jan 2015:
On the heels of the announcement of two senior executive leadership changes and the closure
of Piperlime all in the space of about two months, Gap management announced today that it
has appointed Scott Key as senior vice president and general manager of Customer Experience
and will be eliminating the Creative Director role of Gap, resulting in Rebekka Bay's departure.
We think this announcement is further evidence of management's commitment to right the
fashion and marketing problems of the Gap brand and that management will exercise little
patience in the process. We are maintaining our narrow moat, positive moat trend rating, but
are closely monitoring our standard stewardship rating in light of what we perceive to be strong
strategic and fast-paced organizational and operational changes. Further prudent capital
decisions by new Gap leadership could result in an increase to this stewardship rating. With the
stock trading 14% below our fair value estimate, Gap remains one of our favorite ideas in the
consumer cyclical space with what we perceive to be an underappreciated margin expansion
story driven by rapid response initiatives and an undervalued asset in the Athleta brand.
We think both of the organizational changes announced today are strategically sound. Scott
Key's new position unites the e-commerce and marketing organization which we believe will
provide a more consistent message and customer experience across channels. Furthermore,
we have seen little in the way of product improvement at Gap and agree that it is time for a
(continued on next page)
15
Highlighted Stocks
fresh creative vision. Overall, we think that new management has brought an excitement and
focus on execution that was needed as new technologies and innovations are rolled out and
believe that Art Peck and his team are the right people for the job.
Valuation as of 25 Nov 2014:
We are maintaining our fair value estimate of $48 as we see weakness in the core Gap brand
pressuring near-term performance and the transition to a new CEO to increasing short-term
volatility. That said, we continue to like the long-term story and we see operating margin
expansion as the main driver of valuation as Gap has invested heavily in technology and supply
chain systems which we believe can narrow the margin disparity between Gap and its global
fast-fashion competitors. In our model, we think Gap can reach an operating margin of 15.4% in
five years from 13.3% currently. This is still well below the high-teens margins of fast-fashion
competitors. This reflects our belief that the company is successfully executing on its
responsive supply chain, omnichannel, and seamless inventory initiatives as evidenced by its
work on fabric platforming, reserve in store, and order in store.
In 2014, we are modeling 1% revenue growth and expect the operating margin to decline to
12.5% from 13.3% in 2013. We think poor merchandising (product was too spring-forward) and
heavy inventory levels weighed on first-half results. In our opinion, products at the core Gap
brand remain uninspiring and the new ad campaign from Wieden+Kennedy appears to be
failing to resonate with consumers. We expect discounting to weigh on 2014 margins.
However, we are encouraged that Banana Republic is showing some signs of a turnaround with
improved marketing and more contemporary merchandising. Ultimately we see full year top-line
growth driven by a 1% decline in comparable sales and a 3% increase in store count.
Over the next five years, we expect 3% average annual revenue growth driven by 1%
comparable sales growth on average and 3% new store growth weighted toward factory
stores, Asia expansion, and franchises. We think operating margins will expand from 13.3% in
2013 to 15.4% in 2018 (7% average annual operating income growth) on improved
responsiveness and supply chain management. We note that this is still below average high
teen margins at H&M and Inditex.
Analyst:
Bridget Weishaar | +1 312-384-5485 | bridget.weishaar@morningstar.com
16