Wateen’s unrealistic expectations


Farooq Tirmizi April 09, 2010
Wateen’s unrealistic expectations

KARACHI: On the surface, it is a great buy. Wateen Telecommunications holds a 65 per cent market share in the wireless broadband internet market in Pakistan, easily one of the fastest growing subsectors with the telecommunications industry.

It is expected to post a net loss for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 but has a steady history of profitability and a wide infrastructure that it can leverage to its advantage. So why aren’t analysts screaming from the rooftop about the company’s initial public offering?

While many research analysts at leading investment banks issued reports on the firm, only one of them came away with a gushing recommendation: Omar Rafiq of BMA Capital.

In fairness, Rafiq’s report was the most comprehensive amongst all of those reviewed by The Express Tribune. But the fact that none of his colleagues up and down Chundrigar Road seemed to agree with him should be somewhat disconcerting to the company and should give pause to any potential investors.

Let us take a look at the case being made by the company and its underwriters – Arif Habib Ltd – for investing in the company. As stated earlier, the firm has the largest WiMAX network in the world with a bandwidth of 3.5 GHz. That is no small feat especially considering the fact that most telecom industry observers feel that wireless broadband is the wave of the future in the industry, particularly in emerging markets that do not have an existing fixed-line infrastructure.

Wateen has invested in a massive capital expansion which will allow the firm to roll out its services nationwide and compete for the broader market for broadband internet, currently dominated by Pakistan Te l e c o m m u n i c at i o n s Company’s fixed-line network. However, there are several questions that the firm leaves out. In the entire investment memorandum, the company does not graphically represent its subscriber base even once.

If it did, it would have to show that Wateen’s client base has declined, as has its market share as Mobilink, Pakistan’s largest cellular phone operator, launched its Infinity service in major cities. And given the fact that the entire case for investment rests on an 80 per cent increase in revenues during the next fiscal year, one can imagine why that graphic would be inconvenient. After all, why would any investor believe that Wateen will be able to expand its customer base that rapidly when it has been losing market share over the past year?

Another key component of the firm’s expansion plans includes expanding its network into Afghanistan, Iran and India. Given the geopolitical uncertainty that characterises Pakistan’s commercial ties with its neighbours, one is perplexed as to how it can be such an important element of Wateen’s growth strategy.

Even BMA Capital’s Omar Rafiq, who was the most optimistic about the firm’s prospects, viewed its medium term expansion plans to be somewhat suspect. “We expect growth at Wateen but not in the immediate future,” said Rafiq in a report issued to clients. To sum up, JS Global Capital’s analysts have no comment on the IPO, though they are bullish on the sector (which really means they just like PTCL) and Invest Capital has a neutral stance. One would expect this IPO to struggle, yet the reality is that the equity-starved investors in the country will most likely soak up the share and come back begging for seconds.

COMMENTS (3)

Muhammad Usman Naveed | 14 years ago | Reply From 21st of April till date the share price has been down upto the 40%. Whether it is deliberately or on actual grounds, the reality is we are facing a heavy loss against our confidence on the Abu Dehbi Consorisium.Bank Alfalah Ltd. the sister concern used its employees to generate the market space by using their relations. They were forced and encourged by their higher officials for the marketing of the wateen's IPO's. My question is very simple who is the esponcible for the loss of Pakistni People. Abu Dehbi Consoricium, the stock market or the people themselve by trusting the group.
Correct Observer | 14 years ago | Reply The share price has been deliberately hammered by short-sellers who are competitors of the Lead Advisor & Arranger of the IPO. The CFO had already resigned earlier as he had been offered a better package elsewhere and had stayed on to ensure the IPO went through smoothly which it did. Tariq Malik has not left and is very much still at Wateen to ensure that the company achieves good returns for its shareholders.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ