Halkbank has performed poorly since last November and now the stock trades slightly below its book value and is one of the worst performing stocks among Turkish blue-chip stocks.
The bank closed 2011 with 14.4% return on equity and an aggregate net income of 2,206 million liras, which was 22% lower compared to the posted number a year earlier. Net interest margin stood at 4.2% at yearend thanks to solid fourth quarter margin of 4.5%. The bank saw its loan portfolio growing 19.9% on yearly basis. Loans to deposits ratio rose to a record level of 98.1% as deposits grew moderately by 2.9% year-over-year. Not surprisingly, the reported capital adequacy decreased to 13.6% thanks to the rise in risk-weighted assets arising out of the wildly growing loan portfolio.
The worrisome point is that the return on equity figures have been on steady decline in Turkish banks, but more remarkably in Halkbank. For the last four quarters the bank has been posting a figure below 20%. Following that the stock has been interestingly most volatile one among large-cap Turkish banks stocks that deteriorates the outlook of the stock through its impact on beta which is a component of the cost of equity.
Turkish banks reported the highest 12-month trailing net income ever in February with remarkably rising fee income. Given its lower exposure to credit cards compared to those of its peers, Halkbank operates with lower fee income generation. Thus, I believe Halkbank is not fully benefiting from the improving sector outlook.
My price target for the stock is 14 TRY implying a not convincing upside potential of 9%. I arrived at this price target based on 1.1x price to book multiple, 9% assumed growth rate, and 15% cost of equity which is derived from a beta of 1.4x, an equity risk premium of 6%, and a risk-free rate of 7.5%.
Valuation
Of the 36 analysts covering the bank, 23 have a buy ratings, while 11 recommend to hold and 2 think the stock should be sold, according to the company’s Investor Relations website.
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