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Kasikorn Securities sees construction materials earnings recovering, highlights EPG and TOA
Kasikorn Securities said the construction materials group reported combined normalised profit of 2.2 billion baht in the second quarter of 2026, up 11 percent from a year earlier, supported by a higher gross margin despite weak sales. Profit fell 11 percent from the previous quarter due to seasonal demand and more holidays. Combined normalised profit for the first half of 2026 was 4.8 billion baht, up 28 percent from a year earlier, representing 61 percent of the full-year estimate of 7.9 billion baht. Combined revenue in the second quarter of 2026 was 24 billion baht, up 6 percent from a year earlier and 1 percent from the previous quarter. Gross profit margin rose to 28.2 percent, up 0.7 percentage point from a year earlier and 0.3 percentage point from the previous quarter, as higher selling prices fully offset higher oil-linked raw material costs. Such raw materials account for 35 to 45 percent of cost of sales. The selling, general and administrative expense to revenue ratio rose to 17.9 percent, up 0.2 percentage point from a year earlier and 1.8 percentage points from the previous quarter, due to higher logistics costs. As a result, the normalised profit margin rose 0.4 percentage point from a year earlier to 9.4 percent, but fell 1.3 percentage points from the previous quarter. Ceramic tile sales at Dynasty Ceramic and SCG Decor fell 6 percent and 7 percent from a year earlier respectively, because they have a high proportion of revenue from the private sector where demand is weak, while normalised profit fell 4 percent and 5 percent respectively. Tipco Asphalt revenue rose 20 percent from a year earlier on higher asphalt prices following the war between the United States and Iran, lifting normalised profit by 22 percent. TOA Paint sales rose 4 percent on higher market share and inventory stocking, but normalised profit rose only 3 percent because of higher selling, general and administrative expenses and Myanmar-related costs. Eastern Polymer Group delivered the strongest performance, with sales up 9 percent and normalised profit up as much as 43 percent on demand for insulation products in the United States. Kasikorn Securities maintained a neutral view on the sector, focusing on stock selection. It picked Eastern Polymer Group as a top pick with a buy rating and a target price of 6.70 baht, and TOA Paint with a buy rating and a target price of 19.0 baht, because they have stronger demand than other companies. Eastern Polymer Group benefits from strong demand for insulation products in the United States, while TOA Paint's market leadership supports stable paint demand.