Is Bina Puri cheap?

Bina Puri was founded in 1975. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015. Among its track records:

- Completed many types of civil and building projects in various parts of Malaysia, including East Malaysia 

- It has completed several projects in overseas (Thailand, Brunei, Russia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, UAE, China, and etc.)

- Completed Ampang LRT line extension

- Completed KLIA2 satelite building

- A group with turnover exceeding a billion RM (since 2010)

- Uninterrupted yearly profit since 2000

In terms of assets, the group has:

- Recurring income from power generation business in Indonesia (more than 30MW)

- 50% stake in LATAR Highway

- Net asset value per share of 93.47sen as of end June 2016

- Recurring income from Main Place shopping mall (33% effective stake)

For its construction division, it has a strong outstanding order book of RM2.0b. It is actively tendering for civil works such as LRT 3, MRT 2, and various highway projects.

However, some readers may not be aware that the group's market capitalisation is only RM101m (share price 41.5sen) last Friday.

Construction companies such as Gamuda, IJM were founded around 1970's or 1980's. Their market capitalisations have now exceeded RM10b. Late comer Gadang which Tan Sri Kok Onn took over the control in 90's, is having a market cap of RM742m. It has similar business segments as Bina Puri (construction, property and utilities). Construction specialists focusing in foundation works, Econpile, Ptaras have market caps of  RM904m, and RM582m.

Before reading further, what do you think?

a) The stock is grossly undervalued

b) There could be reasons for the uninspiring share price performance.

In 2013, Ng Keong Wee took up private placements by the group at RM1/share and emerged as a substantial shareholder with about 9% to 10% holding in the group. About 3 years down the road, his stake has been diluted to 5.8%. A bigger concern is the paper loss as the share price has declined to about 40sen/share now.

Some bloggers have recommended this stock but why is the share price fails to excite in a sustainable manner? 

Even though the numbers look good, unless there is a positive change in certain "qualitative" aspect of the group, I am skeptical that the share price will go far in a sustainable manner.

Separately, SJC is an advertising company. It is in net cash position with the value close to its market cap. This is before including some good properties owned by the group. The group has been profitable in recent years. It also pays dividend. Last week, it has just secured a 10-years concession from MRT which may double the group's revenue. Despite all these, there was no appreciation in terms of share price. This stock is under researched but I am sure there are investors who know the group and its financial standing. Other than share trading liquidity, what is lacking is the stock?

I see similar issue in Menang and AYS. Again, unless there is a positive change in certain "qualitative" aspect of the group, I tend to think the share prices of these listed companies won't go far.