und Aussicht auf A-Rating in 2005! Thursday , October 09, 2003 03:22 ET HONG KONG, Oct 09, 2003 (AFX-ASIA via COMTEX) -- Lehman Brothers has rated PCCW Ltd (8.HK) "overweight" because of the company's fast sales at its residential Bel-Air project.
Analyst Peter Milliken said that of the total 2,800 Bel-Air units, the company has sold 1,100 since the project was first launched last year.
"The project appears to have been fast-tracked, allowing PCCW to recoup cash more quickly. Should it sell a further 200 units, it could receive 708 mln hkd in cash in the second half of 2004," he said in research note to investors.
PCCW has invested 4.5 bln hkd in the project.
Milliken said that by having generated sales proceeds so rapidly, PCCW has been able to reinvest cash into constructing the subsequent phases sooner. This all leads to a likely sellout by 2005.
"We estimate PCCW can repay its 1.1 bln usd convertible, which expires in Dec 2005, without needing to refinance. The cash generated will also help it achieve an 'A' credit rating, which PCCW desires before starting paying dividends again."
Milliken also pointed out that in the last three months the Hang Seng Index Property Sub-index has jumped 40 pct, while PCCW rose just 16 pct.
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