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Is SIA Engineering a GOOD Buy Now? (SGX: S59 / S59.SI)

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Disclaimer: I may or may not have invest in any of them, what’s listed here is only for entertainment purpose only and it should never be used as any form of investment advice. This is my diary on my stock analysis, while I’ve been investing for +15 years, I am still learning. I wish to share what I learn during my investment journey so you may learn from both my success and mistakes. Enjoy!

SIA Engineering (a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Limited) is listed in SGX with the ticker symbol S59.SI / SIAE.SI, it is currently has a share price of SGD$2.290.

At this price, SIA Engineering is valued at a price-to-book ratio of 1.532 and a trailing distribution yield of 0.00%

With the current valuation, would I invest in it?

Let’s go through it using my 7 steps guide and see how to start investing in Singapore and find the best dividend stocks.

Disclaimer: Information should be used for entertainment purposes only. Full disclaimer below.

By understanding how to identify a good dividend stock, here are the 7 steps I use to pick the Best Dividend Stocks in Singapore.

  1. Debt to Equity Ratio
  2. Dividend Yield
  3. Dividend payout ratio
  4. EPS Growth Rate
  5. Return of Equity (ROE)
  6. Price-to-Book Ratio
  7. MOAT

Business Background

SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) Limited is based in Singapore and was incorporated in 1982.

SIA Engineering was part of Singapore Airlines until 1992, Singapore Airlines transfer its maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities (MRO) into an existing subsidiary to form SIA Engineering Company.

SIA Engineering provides service to over 200 flights into and out of Singapore Changi Airport each day for more than 60 international passenger and cargo carriers

Segments of Business

  1. Airframe and Line Maintenance
  2. Engine and Component

Airframe and Line Maintenance

Service provided in these sub-segments.

  • Airframe maintenance
  • Line maintenance
  • Fleet management programs

Service Provided

  • Schedule routine and specialized maintenance and overhaul
  • Modification and refurbishment programs
  • Aircraft certification
  • Technical and non-technical ground handling services
  • Provision of aircraft ground support equipment and rectification work
  • Fleet technical management
  • Inventory technical management services

Engine and Component

Service provided in these sub-segments.

  • Component overhaul
  • Engine Repair
  • Overhaul services

Service Provided

  • Manufactures aircraft cabin parts and tooling for the aerospace industry
  • Repair and overhaul services for hydro-mechanical equipment for aircraft
  • Engine maintenance, parts repair, storage and preservation, material management, on-wing, and engine testing services

Joint Ventures

SIA Engineering has invested in 23 joint ventures on manufacturing of original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, aircraft component repair, engine component repair, and overhaul services in both Singapore and overseas.

  • Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Ireland.

Recommended Read: Singapore dividend stocks I may want to buy this year!

Debt-To-Equity Ratio

Check for: Less than 0.5 D/E Ratio

Looking at the latest financial report.

SIA Engineering have a D/E ratio of 0.05.

This is much lower than the 0.05 D/E Ratio.

A D/E ratio of less than 0.5 will means that the company will be able to fulfill its debt obligation and there is a low risk of the company defaulting.

With a D/E of lower than 0.5, it passes my criteria.

To understand this stock better, I’ve done a quick look at the past Debt to Equity Ratio for SIA Engineering:

YearDebt to Equity (D/E) Ratio
20230.05
20220.025
20210.055
20200.069
20190.013
20180.015
SIA Engineering Company Ltd.

Looking at the past data of SIA Engineering, it seems that the D/E ratio has always been less than 0.5, and in fact, it has always been less than 0.1 D/E Ratio.

The D/E ratio only start to increase after the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019 which is reflected by the increase in the D/E ratio in the years 2020 and 2021.

As SIA Engineering’s business is highly dependent on the aviation industry, the recent pandemic has impacted SIA Engineering’s bottom line greatly.

But the D/E ratio shows that the company is able to keep its leverage low even in times of trouble.

The company has less than a 0.5 D/E ratio

My Opinion: Pass

Dividend Yield

Check for: More than a 2.5% dividend yield

For the Year 2023, SIA Engineering pay a dividend of SGD 0.00 which is about 0.00% in dividend yield.

SIA Engineering did not pay any dividends for the years 2021 to 2023.

0.00% yield is lower than my target of 2.5%.

Looking at the distribution history, the last dividend payment is in the year 2020, which is probably due to the pandemic.

YearDividend (TTM) SGD
20230.00
20220.00
20210.00
20200.05
20190.11
20180.12
20170.18
SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.

For dividend stocks, I’ll prefer if they will pay a stable dividend that is growing.

The dividend yield is also much lower than the risk-free rate (CPF OA Account) of 2.5%. I will give it a verdict of fail.

My Opinion: Fail

Dividend Payout Ratio

Check for: Less than 80% dividend payout ratio

At the time of writing, I’ve done a quick check with online tools for stock info, it shows that the dividend payout ratio for SIA Engineering is 0.00% which basically makes this section non-applicable.

With a payout ratio of 0%, it means the company retained all earnings if any, and did not payout any dividend for the financial year.

Although SIA Engineering did not payout any dividends for 2021 to 2023, I think it is the right decision.

It is better for the company to have enough cash flow to operate the business, especially when the business is greatly impacted by the pandemic.

Although SIA Engineering fails this section, it may still be a good dividend stock in the future.

My Opinion: Fail

EPS Growth Rate

Check for: More than 10% EPS Growth

Earning Per Share (EPS) tells us about the profitability and quality of a company, it is one of the most important metrics for an investor.

Here, we will like to see an EPS growth of 5 years or more.

A quick check on the financials.

The EPS 5 year growth rate is “Blank”!

There is no Earning Per Share (EPS)  growth for SIA Engineering!

Knowing SIA Engineering is in the aviation industry, low EPS is understandable due to the pandemic. Thus we will deep dive into the EPS history to understand the company further.

YearEPS
20230.06
20220.06
2021-0.01
20200.17
20190.14
20180.16
SIA Engineering Co Ltd.

Lower EPS for 2023 is probably due to still in recovery from the pandemic.

Even so, I may not want to invest in a company that is not growing its EPS.

My Opinion: Fail

High Return Of Equity (ROE)

Check for: More than 10% ROE

ROE is the most important metric that I value.

Return on Equity (ROE) is often used to measure the management’s ability to make money.

At the time of writing, the ROE of SIA Engineering have an ROE of 5.5%.

YearReturn on Equity (ROE)
20235.5%
20224.3%
2021-0.7%
202012.3%
201910.7%
201812.4%
SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.

SIA Engineering’s historical ROE shows to be above 10% ROE before the pandemic. Even in 2020, it is still able to maintain a high ROE. But in 2021, it has a negative ROE of -0.7%.

The growing ROE is probably due to the recovery from the pandemic as seen from the growth from 2022 to 2023 as the ROE has returned to positive.

My Opinion: Fail

Price-To-Book Ratio

Check for: a P/B Ratio of less than 1.8

SIA Engineering has been around for almost 40 years, and if an investor invests in SIA, they will probably know SIA Engineering.

If I have to guess its P/B ratio, the price of the stock will most likely be traded around its valuation (book value).

At the time of writing, the current P/B ratio of SIA Engineering is 1.532.

Meaning, it is trading slightly above its book value.

My Opinion: Pass

MOAT

Check for: Not just having a MOAT, but a great MOAT

SIA Engineering is probably the most important company that ensures the smooth operation of aircraft coming in and out of Singapore Changi Airport.

Similar to SATS which provides food for the plane, SIA Engineering provides all the services required for an aircraft to fly safely in the air.

SIA Engineering is the only major aircraft servicing center that services all aircraft that come in and out of Singapore Changi Airport.

SIA Engineering’s Top Competitors

  1. SIA Engineering, service in Singapore, Philippines
  2. Aviation Technical Services (ATC), service in the United States
  3. Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering (HAECO), service in Hong Kong, China, United States
  4. ADC Engineering, service in the United States
  5. Interstate Engineering, service in the United States

SIA Engineering Licensing

More than twenty national aviation regulatory authorities have issued approvals to the company to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to aircraft subject to their jurisdiction.

  • Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
  • United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA)
  • Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)
  • Etc.

With its base in Singapore, SIA Engineering serves over 60 airlines passing through Singapore.

In terms of MOAT, SIA Engineering has a strong ” Toll Bridge MOAT”.

Not only it requires the government to issue licenses to allow the operation of companies such as SIA Engineering.

Approval from the authorities from different countries is required for the operation of a company similar to SIA Engineering.

The toll bridge moat prevents competitors from coming into the picture, allowing SIA Engineering to have most of the business that comes through Singapore Changi Airport.

With Singapore Changi Airport rising to become one of the busiest airports in the world, I think SIA Engineering will have a bright future without much if any competition.

In my opinion, SIA Engineering’s MOAT is very strong.

My Opinion: Pass (Great!)

Overall

SIA Engineering has a final score of 6/10.

SIA Engineering has low EPS, a negative ROE, and no dividend payout.

These unfavorable financial results occur only after 2019’s pandemic, which will mean it might be temporary.

On the bright side, its D/E ratio is quite amazing.

Nonetheless, SIA Engineering has an amazing Toll bridge MOAT which will probably help the company to recover when the aviation industry recovers.

For now, I don’t think I will invest in this unless the price of the stock falls way below my margin of safety.

Personally, I think the pandemic will continue impacting the company for the near foreseeable future.

Below is how I’ve scored SIA Engineering.

MetricWeightageScore
Debt to Equity RatioHigh (2)2
Dividend YieldLow (1)0
Dividend payout ratioLow (1)0
EPS Growth RateLow (1)0
High Return of Equity (ROE)Low (1)0
Acceptable Price-to-Book RatioLow (1)1
MOATVery High (3)3
TotalNA6
My SIA Engineering’s Score Card as a Dividend Stock

Why do I find some metrics more important than others?

There are 3 attributes in a company that Warren Buffett wants in particular:

  • Wonderful Company at Fair Price
  • Stable & Understandable Business
  • Vigilant Leadership in Risk Management

This translate to the following 3 metrics I have on my list:

Thus, for these metrics, I will put a higher weightage on my scoring.

Question.

Would you invest in this now?

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Founder & Financial Writer at Income Buddies | Website | Posts by Author

Antony C. is a dividend investor with over 15+ years of investing experience. He’s also the book author of “Start Small, Dream Big“, certified PMP® holder and founder of IncomeBuddies.com (IB). At IB, he share his personal journey and expertise on growing passive income through dividend investing and building online business. Antony has been featured in global news outlet including Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq and Non Fiction Author Association (NFAA).

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