Business Overview

Core Business Operations:
Santak Holdings Limited operates through two key divisions:

1. Precision Engineering (PE) Division: Focused on manufacturing and trading of precision machined components used in industries like data storage, oil & gas, medical equipment, and electronics.
2. Trading & Distribution (T&D) Division: Specializes in sourcing and supplying electronic, electrical, and mechanical components. Major focus areas include security/access control systems and OEM assembly of products like card readers and die-cast parts.

Geographic Footprint:
The company primarily operates in Singapore, with its Precision Engineering Division catering to various multinational clients globally.

Key Revenue Streams:

• PE Division generates revenue through manufacturing precision parts.
• T&D Division sources and supplies components for security and access control systems, among others.

Industry Position and Competitive Landscape

Santak Holdings competes within the precision engineering and electronic component distribution industry. Its key competitors include larger manufacturers with more diversified product portfolios and significant global reach. Santak’s market share is relatively small, and the company is highly sensitive to changes in demand from key sectors like data storage, which affected its performance in FY2024.

Financial Overview

Income Statement Analysis

• Revenue: Decreased by 5.2% to S$8.18 million in FY2024, compared to S$8.63 million in FY2023.
  • PE Division Revenue: Decreased by 16.6%, attributed to weaker demand from the data storage sector.
  • T&D Division Revenue: Slight increase of 3.9%, driven by higher demand in security/access control systems.
• Gross Loss: A shift from a gross profit of S$0.31 million in FY2023 to a gross loss of S$0.60 million in FY2024. The gross margin turned negative at -7.3%, largely due to lower production and utilization rates in the PE Division.
• Operating Expenses: Administrative expenses increased by 3.2%, primarily due to higher payroll costs. However, other expenses decreased due to lower foreign exchange losses.
• Net Loss: Increased from S$2.04 million in FY2023 to S$2.72 million in FY2024, exacerbated by lower revenue and poor machine utilization.

Balance Sheet Analysis

• Total Assets: Reduced to S$9.71 million from S$12.43 million in FY2023, driven by declines in inventories and trade receivables.
• Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents decreased by S$1.11 million to S$5.37 million due to lower cash inflows from operating activities.
• Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: Dropped to 9.03 cents in FY2024, compared to 11.55 cents in FY2023.

Cash Flow Statement Analysis

• Operating Cash Flows: Improved slightly with net cash used in operating activities reducing to S$0.96 million from S$1.99 million in FY2023, thanks to working capital improvements.
• Investing Activities: Minimal cash used for investments (S$3,000) in FY2024, compared to the S$6.32 million net inflow in FY2023.
• Financing Activities: Cash used in financing activities remained stable at S$0.15 million, mainly for lease liabilities and interest payments.

Key Points for Investor Action

• No Dividend Declared: The company did not declare any final dividend for FY2024, citing the need to conserve cash for working capital and capital expenditure.
• Earnings Decline: The continued decline in revenue and increased losses indicate the company is struggling to maintain profitability in challenging market conditions.
• Operational Challenges: The negative gross margin and lower utilization rates in the PE Division are significant red flags for potential investors. Recovery will depend on demand improvements in key sectors like data storage.

Special Actions for Profitability

The company has taken steps to control costs, including reducing foreign exchange losses and slightly lowering operating expenses. However, no major strategic initiatives or significant cost-cutting measures were highlighted in the report.

Recommendations for Investors

• For Current Shareholders:
  Investors currently holding shares should consider holding or cautiously selling the stock. The company’s financials reflect continuing losses and no immediate signs of recovery. The decision depends on the risk tolerance and market conditions, but long-term growth prospects remain uncertain.

• For Prospective Investors:
  Given the weak performance and lack of dividends, new investors should refrain from purchasing the stock at this time. The company needs to demonstrate a clear turnaround strategy and improved profitability before it becomes a viable investment option.

Disclaimer:
This recommendation is based solely on the financial information available in Santak Holdings Limited’s FY2024 report. It should not be construed as formal financial advice. Investors are encouraged to perform their own due diligence or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.