Lim AS's comment on CIMB. All Comments

Lim AS
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CIMB's shares in Bursa Malaysia have shown steady performance, but deciding whether to hold or sell depends on several factors related to its financials and future prospects.

### Financials:
- **Earnings**: CIMB has consistently improved its earnings, with a strong Q2 2024 performance. Its net interest margin (NIM) remains stable, and it has continued to reduce its cost-to-income ratio, which improves profitability.
- **Dividend**: CIMB has been paying a solid dividend, although not as high as Public Bank or Maybank in terms of yield. Dividend payout ratios have been relatively consistent, making it attractive for long-term investors.
- **Loan Growth**: CIMB has seen moderate loan growth, driven by both its Malaysian and regional markets, with growing contributions from Indonesia and Thailand.

### Future Prospects:
- **Digital Banking**: CIMB has been investing heavily in digital transformation, aiming to compete better with both traditional and digital-first banks. This is crucial for long-term growth as more banking services move online.
- **Regional Presence**: CIMB’s extensive presence across ASEAN gives it the potential for higher regional growth than Public Bank, which is more Malaysia-focused. This could be a key advantage as Southeast Asia's economies expand.
- **Cost Efficiency**: CIMB's continued efforts to streamline its operations and reduce costs, combined with ongoing digital banking initiatives, are expected to enhance profitability and competitiveness.

### Comparison with Maybank:
- **Maybank** remains the largest bank in Malaysia by market capitalization, assets, and revenue. CIMB, while growing, still lags behind in terms of size and profitability.
- **Dividend Yield**: Maybank has historically had a higher dividend yield compared to CIMB.
- **Global Reach**: Maybank's stronger international presence, especially in Singapore, gives it a more diversified earnings base, while CIMB’s strength lies in ASEAN.

It's unlikely CIMB will surpass Maybank soon given Maybank’s significant lead in size and reach. However, CIMB could continue to grow faster in specific regional markets.

### Comparison with Public Bank Berhad (PBB):
- **Stability**: PBB is known for its conservative approach, focusing on quality assets and sound risk management, leading to stable performance even during economic downturns.
- **Profitability**: PBB has higher return on equity (ROE) and lower non-performing loan (NPL) ratios compared to CIMB, making it more resilient.
- **Dividend**: Public Bank has a more consistent and higher dividend payout ratio than CIMB.

### Hold or Sell?
- **Hold**: If you're looking for growth exposure, especially in regional markets and the digital banking sector, CIMB might be a good long-term hold. It’s improving operational efficiency and has upside potential in ASEAN.
- **Sell**: If you're looking for higher dividends or more stable financial performance, Maybank or Public Bank may be more attractive.

In summary, CIMB has good growth potential, but it is less stable than Public Bank and unlikely to surpass Maybank in the near future. Whether to hold or sell depends on your investment goals and risk tolerance.
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