FRONTKEN (FRCB MK): Strong result momentum






FRONTKEN (FRCB MK): Strong Result Momentum


FRONTKEN (FRCB MK)

MALAYSIA | TECHNOLOGY | RESULT

P PhillipCapital

FRONTKEN (FRCB MK): Strong result momentum

6 August 2025

  • 6M25 core earnings grew 35% YoY to RM85m, above expectations
  • 2Q25 revenue and core net profit achieved record high on the back robust demand and better operating leverage
  • We revise our 12-month TP higher to RM5.20 after raising 2025-27E earnings by 16-19%. Frontken is our country and sector top pick

BUY (maintain)

LAST CLOSE PRICE RM4.35
TARGET PRICE RM5.20
TOTAL RETURN 19.5%
(PREVIOUS TP: RM4.50)

COMPANY DATA

BLOOMBERG TICKER FRCB MK EQUITY
O/S SHARES (MN): 1,585
MARKET CAP (USD mn / RM mn): 1630 / 6894
52 – WK HI/LO (RM) : 4.59 / 2.63
3M Average Daily T/O (mn): 3.37
NET CASH/(DEBT) (RMm) 481.20

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS (%)

Dazzle Clean Ltd 16.0%
Employees Provident 10.6%
AIA Bhd 4.1%

PRICE PERFORMANCE (%)

1MTH 3MTH YTD
COMPANY 2.3 16.6 (8.0)
FBMKLCI RETURN (0.5) (0.2) (4.6)

PRICE VS. FBMKLCI

[Chart depicting PRICE VS. FBMKLCI is omitted]

Source: Bloomberg

Jianyuan TAN, FCCA

tan.jianyuan@phillipcapital.com.my

2Q25 core earnings rose 60% YoY

Frontken delivered a solid set of results in 2Q25. Stripping out the RM19m forex loss, core net profit surged to RM53m (+60% YoY). Revenue rose 16% YoY to RM157m, primarily driven by stronger contributions from Taiwan operations (+21%) on the back of increasing customer demand, driving higher utilisation levels. In tandem with the stellar revenue, normalized EBIT surged 45% YoY. Notably, Taiwan operations recorded a record-high EBIT margin of 48% (+6ppts) on better operating leverage. Overall, EBITDA margin expanded to 44% (+8ppts), which we attribute to a more favorable product mix and improved operational efficiency.

6M25 results beat expectations

6M25 core net profit came in above expectations at RM85m (+35% YoY), making up 57% of our previous full-year forecast and 50% of consensus estimates. The result beat was mainly due to the better Taiwan operations. Operationally, Frontken has completed preliminary qualification for a new customer in Singapore and is awaiting final approval, targeted for Sept25. To support rising demand, the group has added new production lines at P1 and P2 facilities and plans to relocate less critical processes to the newly acquired P3 site, freeing up space for more complex and higher-value operations. Management shared that discussions are ongoing with a US-based company exploring potential collaboration as part of planned expansion into Malaysia.

Maintain BUY with a higher TP of RM5.20

We increase our 2025-27E earnings forecast by 16-19%, and raise our 12-month TP to RM5.20 (from RM4.50), based on an unchanged target PE of 40x on 2026E EPS. We continue to view Frontken as a compelling front-end semiconductor value chain play with direct Al exposure. Key downside risks include a sharp appreciation of RM, customer attribution, and a slower-than-expected semiconductor sector recovery.

Key Financials

Y/E Dec 2023 2024 2025E 2026E 2027E
Revenue (RMm) 500.1 569.2 654.0 776.5 873.8
EBITDA (RMm) 183.6 208.0 271.6 312.0 348.9
Pretax profit (RMm) 167.1 198.4 255.2 296.0 333.5
Net profit (RMm) 112.0 136.8 178.7 207.2 233.4
EPS (sen) 7.0 8.6 11.2 13.0 14.6
PER (x) 61.9 50.7 38.8 33.5 29.7
Core net profit (RMm) 111.7 132.3 178.7 207.2 233.4
Core EPS (sen) 7.0 8.3 11.2 13.0 14.6
Core EPS growth (%) (11.3) 18.4 35.0 16.0 12.7
Core PER (x) 62.1 52.4 38.8 33.5 29.7
Net DPS (sen) 2.2 3.7 4.5 5.2 5.9
Dividend Yield (%) 0.5 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.4
EV/EBITDA (x) 36.3 30.0 23.6 20.2 17.7
Chg in EPS (%) +18.5 +15.5 +15.7
Phillip/Consensus (%) 1.1 1.0 1.0

Sources: Company, Bloomberg, Phillip Research forecasts

Results at a glance

Y/E Dec (RMm) 2Q24 1Q25 2Q25 QoQ % chg YoY % chg 6M24 6M25 YoY % chg Comment
Revenue 134.9 132.6 156.4 18.0 15.9 275.4 289.0 4.9 Driven by higher contribution from Taiwan operations
Op costs (85.4) (79.2) (87.0) 9.8 1.8 (171.4) (166.2) (3.0)
EBITDA 49.5 53.3 69.4 30.2 40.3 104.0 122.7 18.0
EBITDA margin (%) 36.7 40.2 44.4 4.2ppt 7.7ppt 37.8 42.5 4.7ppt
Depreciation (5.2) (5.2) (5.4) 3.6 3.9 (10.5) (10.7) 1.1
EBIT 44.3 48.1 64.0 33.1 44.5 93.5 112.1 19.9
EBIT margin (%) 32.8 36.3 40.9 4.6ppt 8.1ppt 33.9 38.8 4.8ppt
Interest expense (0.2) (0.2) (0.2) (3.3) (15.4) (0.4) (0.4) (16.2)
Interest income 1.8 2.5 2.8 11.9 55.6 3.4 5.3 54.6
Exceptional items 0.5 (1.7) (19.0) n.m n.m 0.2 (20.7) n.m 2Q25 largely consist of forex loss
Pretax profit 46.4 48.7 47.6 (2.2) 2.6 96.7 96.3 (0.3)
Core pretax 45.9 50.4 66.6 32.2 45.2 96.5 117.0 21.3
Taxation (9.9) (14.6) (11.1) (24.0) 11.7 (26.8) (25.7) (4.1)
Tax rate (%) 21.6 28.9 16.6 (12.3ppt) (5.0ppt) 27.7 26.6 (1.0ppt)
MI (3.1) (3.1) (3.0) (0.1) (3.1) (6.5) (6.1) (6.4)
Net profit 33.3 31.1 33.5 7.8 0.5 63.4 64.6 1.8
EPS (sen) 2.1 1.9 2.1 7.8 0.5 4.0 4.0 1.8
Core net profit 32.8 32.8 52.5 60.2 60.0 63.2 85.3 34.9 Exceeded our forecasts (57% of our 2025E forecast and 50% of street)

Sources: Company, Phillip Research

Segmental Revenue Breakdown

Y/E Dec (RMm) 2Q24 1Q25 2Q25 QoQ % chg YoY % chg 6M24 6M25 YoY % chg
Taiwan 96.4 98.2 116.5 18.6 20.8 186.9 214.7 14.9
Singapore 15.7 12.6 14.0 11.1 (10.3) 32.1 26.7 (16.9)
Malaysia 18.4 17.3 21.4 23.4 16.3 47.5 38.7 (18.5)
Philippines 4.5 4.4 4.5 3.2 0.4 8.8 8.9 0.7
Total 134.9 132.6 156.4 18.0 15.9 275.4 289.0 4.9

Segmental EBIT Breakdown

Y/E Dec (RMm) 2Q24 1Q25 2Q25 QoQ % chg YoY % chg 6M24 6M25 YoY % chg
Taiwan 40.7 43.1 37.0 (14.3) (9.2) 80.4 80.1 (0.4)
Singapore 2.7 1.0 2.3 137.4 (14.0) 5.7 3.3 (42.4)
Malaysia 0.7 1.6 4.9 204.5 612.5 6.0 6.5 8.4
Philippines 1.0 0.9 1.0 3.8 2.4 1.9 1.9 4.4
Indonesia (0.3) (0.3) (0.2) (32.1) (21.6) (0.4) (0.5) n.m
Total 44.8 46.4 45.0 (3.0) 0.4 93.7 91.4 (2.4)

Segmental EBIT Margin

Y/E Dec 2Q24 1Q25 2Q25 QoQ ppt YoY ppt 6M24 6M25 YoY ppt
Taiwan 42.2% 43.9% 31.7% (12.2ppt) (10.5ppt) 43.0% 37.3% (5.7ppt)
Singapore 17.3% 7.7% 16.6% 8.8ppt (0.7ppt) 17.9% 12.4% (5.5ppt)
Malaysia 3.7% 9.3% 23.0% 13.7ppt 19.2ppt 12.7% 16.9% 4.2ppt
Philippines 21.5% 21.8% 21.9% 0.1ppt 0.4ppt 21.1% 21.8% 0.8ppt
Total 33.2% 35.0% 28.8% (6.2ppt) (4.4ppt) 0.3ppt 0.3ppt (2.4ppt)

Sources: Company, Phillip Research

Important disclosures

This research report is strictly confidential and has been prepared for information purposes only by Phillip Research Sdn Bhd (“PRSB”), a subsidiary of Phillip Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd (“PCH”) and is meant for circulation to its clients and clients of other subsidiaries companies of PCH particularly Phillip Mutual Berhad (“PMB”), Phillip Capital Management Sdn Bhd (“PCM”), Phillip Wealth Planners Sdn Bhd (“PWP”) and Phillip Capital Sdn Bhd (“PCSB”) (collectively refer to as Phillip Group other licensed intermediaries (“PGOLI”)) only or such other persons as may be deemed eligible to receive such research report, information or opinion contained herein. Neither the publication/communication nor any portion hereof may be reprinted, distributed, sold, resold, redistributed, copied, reproduced, published, republished, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or media or by any means without the written consent of PRSB.

The policy of PRSB is to only publish research that is impartial, independent, clear, fair, and not misleading. Analysts never receive compensation from companies they cover. Regulations or market practice of some jurisdictions/markets prescribe certain disclosures to be made for certain actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interests relating to a research report as below. This research disclosure is for your information only and does not constitute any recommendation, representation or warranty. Absence of a disclosable position should not be taken as endorsement on the validity or quality of the research report or recommendation.

To maintain the independence and integrity of PRSB’s research, PGOLI activities such as fund management, dealing in securities (restricted to unit trust and private retirement scheme), dealing in derivatives, clearing for derivatives, financial planning and research business lines are distinct from one another. This means that PRSB is not part of and does not report to any of PGOLI. Accordingly, PGOLI does not supervise nor control the activities of PRSB’s research analysts. PRSB’s research analysts report to the Head of Research, who in turn report to PRSB’s senior management.

PRSB Investment and Sector Definition:

Equity:

BUY: Total stock return expected to exceed +10% over 12-month period

HOLD: Total stock return to be between -10% and +10% over a 12-month period

SELL: Total stock return is expected to below 10% over a 12-month period

Sector:

OVERWEIGHT: The sector is expected to outperform the overall FBMKLCI over the next 12 months

NEUTRAL: The sector is to perform in line with the overall FBMKLCI market over the next 12 months

UNDERWEIGHT: The sector is expected to underperform the overall FBMKLCI market over the next 12 months

The information, opinions and estimates herein are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction where doing so would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject PRSB and/or its associate companies to any additional registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction. The information and statistical data herein have been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Such information has not been independently verified and we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. Any opinions or estimates herein reflect the judgment of PRSB at the date of this publication/communication and are subject to change at any time without notice. Where any part of the information, opinions or estimates contained herein reflects the views and opinions of a sales person (include but not limited to Financial Planners and Marketing Representative or a non-analyst), such views and opinions may not correspond to the published view of PRSB. This is not a solicitation or any offer to buy or sell. This publication/communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute any recommendation, representation, warranty or guarantee of performance.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *