Econpile Holdings Welcome To The Piling Parade; BUY






Econpile Holdings (ECON MK) Company Update


Econpile Holdings Welcome To The Piling Parade; BUY

RHB Small Cap Asean Research

14 July 2025

Shariah Compliant

Malaysia Company Update

Construction & Engineering | Construction

Econpile Holdings (ECON MK)

Welcome To The Piling Parade; BUY

  • Keep BUY, new MYR0.48 TP from MYR0.42, 26% upside. Econpile Holdings announced its second job win for FY26 (Jun) and third win within a 2-week timeframe. ECON secured a MYR98m contract from Eastmont to undertake bored piling works for Blocks C and D, basement construction for Block C, and pile cap works for Block D within a proposed industrial development in Kapar, Klang. The is ECON’s largest contract win since Oct 2023.
  • Given that the majority of ECON’s contracts pertain to property development works, the latest win indicates the group’s comeback in the industrial space. Said project is expected to be completed within 13 months from July. The last time ECON clinched a job related to an industrial building was in Apr 2022 a MYR23m contract from CJ Synergy Solutions for a 5-storey industrial building in Section 20, Petaling Jaya.
  • We estimate ECON’s latest outstanding orderbook at c.MYR570m, while FY26-YTD new job wins stand at MYR125m (note: It is only the first month of this FY) vs our full-year job win target of MYR600m. The last time its outstanding orderbook stood above the MYR500m mark was in 3QFY22 (or end 1QCY22) at MYR550m. The group’s tenderbook stands at c.MYR1bn, comprising private and public sector jobs. Potential rerating catalysts include faster-than-expected approval for the Sungai Klang Link project (worth MYR300-500m for piling works). Profitability wise, we expect GP margins for this latest job to be between 5% and 8%.
  • We make no changes to our earnings estimates, as the latest win is within our FY26 job replenishment target. However, we take the opportunity to ascribe a higher target 2.1x P/BV from 1.9x previously to incorporate the frequent flow for piling jobs. Therefore, we arrive at a new MYR0.48 TP, which incorporates a 6% ESG discount given its 2.7 score vs the 3.0 country median. This target P/BV, which is around +0.5SD from its 5-year mean, remains justified, reflecting ECON’s role as a subcontractor of big-ticket projects such as the Mass Rapid Transit 2 (MYR180m) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) 3 (MYR208.7m). Icing on the cake would come from ECON securing newer packages from infrastructure jobs with higher margins such as the Penang LRT or upcoming Johor Bahru Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit.
  • While our FY25F-27F earnings reflect growth vs the core losses incurred during FY22-24, our projections have yet to match the levels seen in FY18, when core earnings were at MYR87m. Consequently, this warrants us to continue adopting a P/BV valuation method for ECON.
  • We remain positive on the group’s track record in infrastructure jobs vs other piling contractors in addition to undemanding valuation, as the stock’s 1.6x FY26F P/BV is -0.5SD from its 10-year mean. Downside risks: Slower-than-expected roll-out of mega infrastructure projects and volatile material prices.

Buy (Maintained)

Analyst

Adam Bin Mohamed Rahim

+603 2302 8101

adam.mohamed.rahim@rhbgroup.com

Share Performance (%)

YTD 1m 3m 6m 12m
Absolute (18.3) 16.9 33.3 (13.6) (26.2)
Relative (11.8) 16.1 27.7 (9.4) (20.8)

52-wk Price low/high (MYR): 0.26 – 0.53

Forecasts and Valuation

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Total turnover (MYRm) 376 418 388 493 548
Recurring net profit (MYRm) (21) (23) 3 9 13
Recurring net profit growth (%) (50.9) 8.1 192.4 40.2
Recurring P/E (x) na na 173.12 59.21 42.23
P/B (x) 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.5
P/CF (x) na 40.93 5.59 57.01 na
Dividend Yield (%) na na na 0.5 0.7
EV/EBITDA (x) 466.48 na 30.57 22.85 19.67
Return on average equity (%) (4.0) (6.7) 0.9 2.7 3.7
Net debt to equity (%) 17.3 18.4 net cash net cash 0.7

Source: Company data, RHB

Overall ESG Score: 2.7 (out of 4)

E Score: 2.7 (GOOD)

S Score: 2.3 (GOOD)

G Score: 3.0 (GOOD)

Please refer to the ESG analysis on the next page

Note:

Small cap stocks are defined as companies with a market capitalisation of less than USD0.5bn.

Emissions And ESG

Trend analysis

Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions recorded a 16% decrease compared to FY23 from the shift in operational focus from machinery-intensive works to more labour-intensive tasks – this is as demand for heavy equipment decreased. Increases in Scope 2 GHG emissions were due to higher electricity consumption.

Emissions (tCO2e) Jun-22 Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25
Scope 1 9,973 11,272 9,466
Scope 2 448 544 727
Scope 3
Total emissions 10,421 11,816 10,193 na

Source: Company data, RHB

Latest ESG-Related Developments

ECON actively maintained ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System and monitors the quality of air, noise, water discharges, and vibration levels at selected project sites to ensure compliance with regulatory limits as well as contractual requirements.

ESG Unbundled

Overall ESG Score: 2.7 (out of 4)
Last Updated: 26 February 2025

E Score: 2.7 (GOOD)

ECON routinely conducts water quality sampling on the effluent discharged at project sites to ensure compliance with standards set by the Department of Environment. Monitoring results indicate that most parameters fall below or within limits.

S Score: 2.3 (GOOD)

The group achieved approximately 4.7m man hours without loss-time injury, and maintained zero fatalities during the financial year. All reported cases are reviewed, and measures put in place to minimise the chances of future occurrences.

G Score: 3.0 (GOOD)

50% of ECON’s board members are independent, with full disclosures on director remunerations, which includes salaries and bonuses on a named basis. The group has an external investor relations team and holds investor meetings regularly, embodying good transparency and disclosure practices.

ESG Rating History

ESG Rating has been consistently rated between 2.7 and 2.8 from Jul-23 to Jul-25.

Source: RHB

Financial Exhibits

Key drivers

Our revenue forecasts are most sensitive to changes in the implementation of various mega infrastructure and property development projects in Malaysia.

Key risks

i. Slower-than-expected rollout of mega infrastructure projects;
ii. Volatile material prices.

Company Profile

ECON is a piling and foundation specialist in Malaysia, providing piling solutions and foundation works, which includes earth retaining systems, earthworks, substructure, and basement construction works. The group has a full range of piling (bored piling, driven piles and jack-in piles) and foundation works.

Asia
Malaysia
Construction & Engineering
Econpile Holdings
ECON MK
Buy

Valuation basis
2.1x FY26F P/BV

Financial summary (MYR)

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Recurring EPS (0.01) (0.02) 0.00 0.01 0.01
DPS 0.00 0.00
BVPS 0.27 0.25 0.24 0.24 0.25
Return on average equity (%) (4.0) (6.7) 0.9 2.7 3.7

Valuation metrics

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Recurring P/E (x) na na 173.12 59.21 42.23
P/B (x) 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.5
FCF Yield (%) (0.9) 0.8 17.0 0.8 (2.8)
Dividend Yield (%) 0.5 0.7
EV/EBITDA (x) 466.48 na 30.57 22.85 19.67
EV/EBIT (x) na na 65.66 34.97 27.73

Cash flow (MYRm)

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Change in working capital (0.3) 24.4 80.2 (10.7) (33.9)
Cash flow from operations (2.8) 13.2 96.4 9.4 (10.0)
Capex (2.2) (8.6) (5.0) (5.0) (5.0)
Cash flow from investing activities 2.1 (6.7) (5.0) (5.0) (5.0)
Dividends paid 0.0 0.0 0.0 (2.7) (3.8)
Cash flow from financing activities (6.5) 25.4 (12.0) (12.9) (14.0)
Cash at beginning of period 51.9 45.2 77.3 156.7 148.2
Net change in cash (7.1) 31.9 79.4 (8.5) (29.0)
Ending balance cash 45.1 77.2 156.7 148.2 119.3

Income statement (MYRm)

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Total turnover 376 418 388 493 548
Gross profit 6 8 22 30 35
EBITDA 1 (9) 17 23 28
Depreciation and amortisation (8) (5) (9) (8) (8)
Operating profit (7) (14) 8 15 20
Net interest (4) (5) (4) (3) (3)
Pre-tax profit (11) (20) 4 12 16
Taxation (5) (6) (1) (3) (4)
Reported net profit (16) (25) 3 9 13
Recurring net profit (21) (23) 3 9 13

Balance sheet (MYRm)

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Total cash and equivalents 45 77 157 148 119
Tangible fixed assets 34 43 39 37 34
Total assets 658 662 680 725 750
Short-term debt 92 126 121 116 111
Total long-term debt 20 17 14 12 10
Total liabilities 272 300 346 384 401
Total equity 386 361 334 341 350
Total liabilities & equity 658 662 680 725 750

Key metrics

Jun-23 Jun-24 Jun-25F Jun-26F Jun-27F
Revenue growth (%) 2.6 11.1 (7.1) 26.9 11.3
Recurrent EPS growth (%) (50.9) 8.1 0.0 192.4 40.2
Gross margin (%) 1.7 1.9 5.6 6.0 6.4
Operating EBITDA margin (%) 0.3 (2.2) 4.4 4.6 5.0
Net profit margin (%) (4.2) (6.0) 0.8 1.8 2.3
Dividend payout ratio (%) 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.0 30.0
Capex/sales (%) 0.6 2.1 1.3 1.0 0.9
Interest cover (x) (1.50) (2.24) 1.40 2.79 3.88

Source: Company data, RHB

Figure 1: Railway-related packages awarded to ECON – a preferred choice by railway contractors

Type of works Value (MYRm) Date of award Duration
Bored piled works for the construction and completion of the viaduct guideway and other associated works from Persiaran Dagang to Jinjang under Package V202 – awarded by Ahmad Zaki Resources (AZR MK, NR) for Mass Rapid Transit 2 (MRT2). 43.5 21 Oct 2016 24 months
Construction and completion of a diaphragm wall at Kampung Baru North Station under a subcontract by Mujur Minat for MRT2. 92.5 27 Mar 2017 15 months
Undertake bored piling and general infrastructure works for the construction and completion of LRT3 – awarded by Gabungan Strategik. 208.7 16 Nov 2017 34 months
Preliminary test pile work, bored piling and pile cap works for the electrified double track from Gemas to Johor Bahru (Section 3) bridges – awarded by Syarikat Pembenaan Yeoh Tiong Lay. 34.1 29 Aug 2018 4 months
Design, construction and completion of the reinforced concrete box tunnel works for the construction of Hospital Kuala Lumpur Station for MRT2- awarded by MMC-Gamuda KVMRT JV. 44.7 19 Mar 2019 25 months
Package 2A comprising the construction and piling work at the Immigration, Custom and Quarantine Complex (ICQC) for Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) between Johor Bahru and Singapore – awarded by Ekovest Construction. 40.0 29 Aug 2022 13 months
Sub-Package BP06: Bored piling construction and other associated works from East Jelutong to Gelugor for Penang LRT by Irama Duta. 42.8 20 May 2025 27 months

Source: Company data

Figure 2: ECON’s quarterly outstanding orderbook (MYRm)

Quarter Orderbook (MYRm) Quarter Orderbook (MYRm)
4QFY18 1,100 1QFY22 820
1QFY19 1,100 2QFY22 690
2QFY19 1,000 3QFY22 550
3QFY19 1,000 4QFY22 444
4QFY19 950 1QFY23 443
1QFY20 900 2QFY23 434
2QFY20 800 3QFY23 405
3QFY20 700 4QFY23 476
4QFY20 670 1QFY24 417
1QFY21 680 2QFY24 304
2QFY21 760 3QFY24 400
3QFY21 900 4QFY24 409
4QFY21 830 1QFY25 483
2QFY25 421 3QFY25 404

Source: Penang Property Talk, MRT Corp

Figure 3: Location of Lot 114017 and Lot 60925 in Sungai Kapar Indah, Klang, i.e the location of the project awarded by Eastmont

This section contains a map. The location is described as Lot 114017 and Lot 60925 in Sungai Kapar Indah, Klang.

Source: Department of Survey & Mapping Malaysia

Recommendation Chart

Date Recommendation Target Price Price
2025-06-06 Buy 0.4 0.3
2025-05-30 Buy 0.4 0.3
2025-02-26 Buy 0.5 0.3
2024-11-28 Buy 0.6 0.4
2024-08-30 Buy 0.6 0.4
2024-05-30 Buy 0.7 0.5
2024-03-24 Buy 0.7 0.5
2024-03-15 Buy 0.5 0.5
2024-02-29 Sell 0.3 0.3
2023-11-30 Sell 0.1 0.3
2023-08-30 Sell 0.1 0.3
2023-05-25 Sell 0.1 0.2
2023-04-12 Sell 0.2 0.2
2023-02-24 Sell 0.2 0.2
2022-11-29 Neutral 0.2 0.2

Source: RHB, Bloomberg

RHB Guide to Investment Ratings

Buy: Share price may exceed 10% over the next 12 months

Trading Buy: Share price may exceed 15% over the next 3 months, however longer-term outlook remains uncertain

Neutral: Share price may fall within the range of +/- 10% over the next 12 months

Take Profit: Target price has been attained. Look to accumulate at lower levels

Sell: Share price may fall by more than 10% over the next 12 months

Not Rated: Stock is not within regular research coverage

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