Auto players to benefit from stronger ringgit, says MIDF

Auto players to benefit from stronger ringgit, says MIDF

A weaker greenback effectively reduces import costs for local automotive companies.

UMW Holdings Bhd and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd are the two largest beneficiaries of a weakening US dollar. (Tan Chong Motor pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Automotive players with US dollar-denominated imports are expected to benefit from a stronger ringgit as a weaker greenback effectively reduces import costs, said MIDF Research.

In a research note today, the house said UMW Holdings Bhd (UMW) and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (TCM) are the two largest beneficiaries following their exposure to US dollar-denominated import of completely knocked down (CKD) kits and completely built-up (CBU) units.

“Every 1% change in the US dollar/ ringgit pair is estimated to impact UMW’s financial year 2023 (FY2023) earnings by 3.7% and TCM’s by 17%.

“TCM’s bottomline is more sensitive as its FY2023 net profit forecast is close to breakeven levels,” MIDF said.

The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) expected downshift to a 25 basis points interest rate hike has continued to boost the ringgit to hover at RM4.33 this morning.

In contrast, Bermaz Auto Bhd’s exposure to Japanese yen-denominated imports may see every 1% change in the currency pair to impact its FY2023 forecast earnings by 0.9%, mainly via Mazda CBU units, MIDF said.

Its finished CKDs are bought from 30%-owned Maza Malaysia Sdn Bhd in ringgit, and carries little forex risk.

The yen rebounded gradually to RM3.38 after a very weak performance last year.

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