Excerpts from CGSCIMB report

Kimly Ltd (SGX: 1D0)

• Kimly Ltd is divesting its confectionery business (Rive Gauche) to Muginoho Global for S$2.8m to streamline operations.
• The purchase consideration indicates an implied FY22F P/E multiple of c.12x, which we deem fair.

We reiterate Hold with an unchanged TP of S$0.41 as we expect headwinds from footfall normalisation after Covid-19 highs and rising cost pressures.

Divesting confectionery business

On 9 Sep 22, Kimly entered into a business transfer agreement with Muginoho Global for the complete disposal of the group’s confectionery business, Rive Gauche Patisserie.

Initially acquired by Kimly together with Tonkichi for S$1.82m in Jul 18, Rive Gauche is involved in the operation of French-inspired confectionery outlets. As of end-Mar 22, Kimly operated seven Rive Gauche outlets.

The acquirer, Muginoho Global, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Muginoho Holdings. Muginoho Holdings is headquartered in Japan and owns a portfolio of pastry and confectionery brands, such as Beard Papa’s and Cocofrans.

We believe the disposal of Rive Gauche was largely due to a lack of realisable synergies with Kimly’s core coffee shop operations.

Implied acquisition multiple of c.12x FY9/22F P/E

The purchase consideration is S$2.8m. Of the consideration, S$1.8m will be placed in escrow and disbursed to Kimly based on payment milestones. The proceeds from the divestment will be used for general working capital purposes.

Rive Gauche recorded FY9/21 net profit of S$0.4m and 1HFY9/22 net profit of S$0.1m. The purchase consideration of S$2.8m represents a one-off disposal gain of S$2.6m for Kimly upon completion of the transaction.

Assuming flat hoh growth in net profit in 2H22F, the implied acquisition multiple is c.12x FY22F P/E, which we deem fair.

Valuation/Recommendation

Reiterate Hold at S$0.41 TP as we see lack of near-term catalysts. Net cash remains healthy at S$41m as of end-1H22. While rising prices could spur some downtrading activities as consumers spend on more affordable food products, we see limited near-term catalysts given:

• Post-Covid19 footfall normalisation, and
• Inflationary pressures weighing on margins.

We reiterate Hold with an unchanged TP of S$0.41, still pegged to 15.4x CY23F P/E (0.5 s.d. below its 5-year historical mean) in view of slowing growth prospects. The stock currently trades at c.14x CY23F P/ (~1 s.d. below its 5-year historical mean).

You can find the full report here and the company website here