AirAsia slips, CIMB Research says buy on share price weakness (5099)

KUALA LUMPUR: Share price of AirAsia Bhd fell as much as 16 sen to RM2.86 on Thursday on concerns about the impact of Lion Air's entry into Malaysia but CIMB Equities Research recommended investors to accumulate AirAsia on share price weakness.
At 11.34am, shares of the low-cost carrier was down 16 sen to RM2.86. There were 42.29 million shares done.
The
FBM KLCI rebounded, up 7.13 points to 1,620.81. Turnover was 385.89
million shares valued at RM471.02mil. There were 298 gainers, 217
losers and 253 counters unchanged.
CIMB Research had lowered the target price from RM4 to RM3.50.
"We
recommend investors to accumulate AirAsia on share price weakness as
its model is resilient, and investors should not underestimate
AirAsia," it said.
The research house said Lion Air's impending
entry into Malaysia is the latest in a list of challenges thrown over
the years at AirAsia, which successfully fought off MAS in 2005-06 and
Firefly's LCC business in 2011.
"While competition could be
tougher ahead, AirAsia will survive the threat. We see increased risks
for AirAsia as Malaysia is its most profitable base and the source of
funds to support fledging overseas associates," it said.
CIMB
Research said as such, we cut our EPS forecasts on lower yield
assumptions, and reduced its target price (still pegged to 9.0 times
core P/E), but roll over to an end-2013 target.
"Our Outperform rating stays as the share price has already taken a beating," it said.