Uni-Asia Carves Niche in Alternate Asset Investments

Date: November 24, 2016

Untitled Document

kopi-C: the Company brew

UniAsia Holdings Ltd

SGX Code AYF
Mkt Cap S$M 47.9
% Price Change YTD -14.3
% Price – Div Adj. YTD
-9.5
% Price – Div Adj. [1 Year]
-15.2
% Price – Div Adj. [3 Years]
-41.8
% Price – Div Adj. [5 Years]
-17.7
Price vs. 12M High %
-24.4
Price vs. 12M Low %
4.1
% Div Yld
6.1
% ROE -0.8
P/BV
0.3

Source: SGX Stockfacts (9 Nov 2016)

For Michio Tanamoto, a catastrophe often presents hidden opportunities.

In 1997, the onset of the Asian financial crisis became a stepping stone for the veteran banker to establish Singapore-listed Uni-Asia Holdings Ltd, a structured finance arrangement and alternative assets investment firm.

Nearly two decades ago, Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, which was overwhelmed by bad loans after the bursting of Japan’s real estate bubble, decided to shutter its overseas operations. Tanamoto, who spent 17 years of his career with the bank, and was then the deputy general manager of its Singapore branch, found himself in a pickle.

“I and three other colleagues decided to turn the situation to our advantage – we resigned from the bank to form a structured finance company providing syndicated loan facilities to clients in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China,” the law graduate from Japan’s Hitotsubashi University recalled.

“With some Asian corporations – including Evergreen in Taiwan and Hopewell in Hong Kong – as our key shareholders, we began investing in Japanese properties and distressed assets, including non-performing loans from the Asian financial crisis.”

Uni-Asia was established in March 1997, and Hokkaido Takushoku Bank eventually went bankrupt in November that year. “The bank’s failure became a negative example for us, and we wanted to ensure that the areas neglected by the bank – corporate governance, risk management and internal controls – would be our key priorities in running Uni-Asia,” Tanamoto said.

Uni-Asia, which listed on the Mainboard of Singapore Exchange in August 2007, performs a variety of roles, including asset manager, finance arranger, ship owner, property broker, hotel operator and fund manager. The company acquires assets at competitive prices, as well as manages and operates these assets to enhance their value and generate recurring income.

 

Its four business segments are focused on ship owning and chartering, investment in and management of ships, ship finance and arrangement, investment in and management of properties in Japan, as well as hotel operations. These units generate five main income categories – charter income, fee income, investment returns, hotel income and interest income. 

Tanamoto was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Asia Holdings in April 2014.


Unique Value Proposition

Between the financial years ended 31 December 2011 and 2015, Uni-Asia averaged total income of US$70.8 million and net income of US$3.2 million. As at 30 June 2016, its assets were valued at US$341.1 million, up from US$314.2 million at end-2015. The stock has a market capitalisation of about S$47 million, and a book value per share of US$2.94.

In September, Tanamoto and Chief Operating Officer Masaki Fukumori both increased their shareholding in the company. Fukumori’s three purchases during the month amounted to over S$36,000, lifting his stake to 2.16% from 2.08%. Tanamoto spent about S$37,600 on two separate occasions to boost his shareholding to 2.21% from 2.14%.

“Our vision is to create unique offerings for our clients – we want to be a comprehensive provider of alternative asset investment opportunities and related services,” Tanamoto said.

“So far, we’re the only player in the market that invests in and provides integrated services for both ships and properties.”

Through its shipping unit and joint-venture firms, Uni-Asia owns a portfolio of 20 vessels, comprising 15 bulk carriers, four containerships and one product tanker. With an average age of less than five years, these ships have a higher reliability and greater fuel efficiency. Another four vessels will be delivered from 2018 onwards. 

“By purchasing through joint-investment companies, and with delivery from 2018 onwards, we can limit our capital outlay and are well-positioned to benefit from the industry’s future recovery,” he noted.

“Most of our acquisition costs are competitive, with breakeven levels that are below that of our peers. Even if the market rebounds slightly, it will flow through to our bottom line.” 

With about 70% of its assets in ships, Uni-Asia’s fortunes are entwined with the shipping market. This industry, and in particular, the dry bulk segment, is in its worst shape in three decades. 

But Tanamoto believes the sector could start bottoming out next year, although a large gap will continue to exist between demand and supply.

“According to Clarkson order book data, deliveries for bulk carriers in 2017 are expected to fall sharply – by about 50% from a year ago – and the increase in total tonnage continues to slow significantly,” he added.

“While we won’t see a full-fledged recovery for another few years, there should be some definite signs of improvement next year.

Double-Edged Sword

Many valuable lessons, however, can be gleaned during these tumultuous times, Tanamoto noted.

“A downturn is a double-edged sword. It can either be the worst of times in terms of survival, or the best of times, where we build on our fundamentals and strengthen our capabilities,” he added.

“We will dig in our heels and prevent this downturn from disrupting our growth plans.”

Meanwhile, Uni-Asia has a buffer. Its hotel operations, as well as residential and commercial property businesses, are picking up the slack.

“The shipping and property markets are historically not correlated, and usually move in opposite directions. Investing in these two different segments has provided us some cushion for our bottom line as well as cashflows,” Tanamoto noted.

Uni-Asia’s focus on developing small residential property projects also provides a competitive edge. These projects comprise four- to five-storey buildings with between 10 and 30 units of studio or maisonette-style apartments called Alero, located in metropolitan Tokyo. 

“We’re the unique developer focusing on this niche market, which is popular with Japanese working singles or couples,” Tanamoto noted.

“These properties are also in big demand by high net-worth investors in Japan. To avoid hefty domestic inheritance taxes, many of these high net-worth individuals prefer to channel their cash into such physical assets.”

Uni-Asia’s hotel operations, occupancy and daily room rates have also remained robust. It is now managing 10 hotels in Japan, and plans to add another six in the major cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kanazawa. This will bring the total number of rooms close to 3,000.

“Our brand name is gaining traction and is well-received by corporates and businessmen, largely because of the unique configuration of space within the rooms,” Tanamoto added.

Failures & Challenges

Over in Hong Kong, Uni-Asia, as part of a consortium led by First Group Holdings Ltd, clinched its third commercial property project in July. This involves the construction of an office building scheduled for completion in 2019.

“We’re focused on commercial projects in Hong Kong because of the limited supply of land for office buildings in the territory,” Tanamoto said.

“Due to the Hong Kong government’s tight control over supply, this segment of the market has been very stable, and such projects offer good capital appreciation, even though competition is extremely stiff.”

Looking back on the last 20 years, Tanamoto acknowledges Uni-Asia has made reasonable, even satisfactory progress. His passion, he says, is developing the business and rewarding clients and shareholders. 

“My biggest worry is how to manoeuvre this market with all its challenges. We have a responsibility to staff and shareholders to run this business well, and these are some of the issues that weigh on my mind,” he said.

Nevertheless, the 59-year-old, who enjoys golfing and reading historical non-fiction, remains steadfastly focused on taking Uni-Asia to the next level.

“People normally run from failures, but I prefer not to. We’ve not always been successful in our investment decisions, and I always remember the failures and mistakes of the past,” said the father of a son, 24, and a daughter, 26, who are both studying in Tokyo.

“I think about how I might have done things differently, and I make sure I use those lessons and experiences to manage the next challenge or opportunity that arises.”

Financial results

Year ended 31 December (US$ ‘000) 2015 2014 2013 2012
Total income 77,052 67,134 73,878 78,284
Operating profit 8,907 5,612 10,541 6,316
Attributable net profit 3,520 2,108 5,641 3,597

Quarter ended 30 June (US$ ‘000) 2Q 2016 2Q 2015 % Change
Total income 22,620 21,780 3.9
Operating profit 3,259 5,702 -42.8
Attributable net profit 1,828 3,884 -52.9

Source: Company data

Outlook & Risks

  • The current uncertainty in the global economy has posed many challenges to various
    business
    sectors, especially the shipping industry. In addition, the oversupply of vessels
    could prolong
    the depression in the shipping market.

  • Uni-Asia’s core resilience lies in its diversified business model, which allows it to explore
    various opportunities in different sectors, and helps stabilise the overall performance of the Group.
  • In this regard, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Group’s investments in
    property
    and its hotel operating business are expected to mitigate the negative impact
    of the shipping
    market on the Group’s performance. 


Uni-Asia Holdings Ltd

Uni-Asia Holdings Ltd is an alternative investment company performing a variety of roles that include asset owner and manager, operator, co-investor, ship finance arranger, broker and fund manager. Its investments are focused on cargo vessels and properties in Hong Kong, Japan and China. To improve investment returns, Uni-Asia also provides integrated services for the invested assets, including acting as operator for commercial maritime vessels and invested properties, which are in commercial, residential and hotel segments. Listed on Singapore Exchange in 2007, Uni-Asia strives to achieve sustainable growth through a prudent approach. Their offices are located in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Taiwan, China and South Korea.

The company website is: www.uni-asia.com..

Click here for the company’s StockFacts page.

For second quarter ended 30 June 2016 financial results, click here.

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First published on 11 November 2016 on www.sgx.com

Text: Jennifer LH Tan
Photo: Company file

kopi-C is a regular column on SGX’s My Gateway website that features C-level executives of leading companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. These interviews are profiles of senior management aimed at helping investors better understand the individuals who run these corporations.

For previous editions of kopi-C: the Company brew, please click here.