Date: October 21, 2024
Broker: CGS International Securities

Company Overview

SEA Ltd is a prominent e-commerce and digital entertainment company, known for its flagship e-commerce platform Shopee, as well as digital financial services. The company operates primarily across the ASEAN region and is a leading player in the digital economy of Southeast Asia.

Q3 2024 Financial Performance

• Expected Results:
  SEA Ltd is anticipated to deliver a strong set of results for the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 24F). The report indicates that the company’s topline is likely to beat consensus expectations, primarily driven by the robust performance of Shopee.

• Shopee’s Growth:
  Shopee has demonstrated impressive growth in its Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), coupled with an expansion in the take rate. This indicates that Shopee has been able to generate higher revenue from the transactions on its platform.

Competitive Landscape and Market Position

• E-commerce Competition Rationalization:
  SEA Ltd has benefited from a stabilizing competitive landscape in the ASEAN e-commerce market. Throughout Q3 2024, various players in the sector have made adjustments to their fee structures, reflecting a more rationalized and less aggressive competitive environment. This trend is seen as a positive development, potentially boosting Shopee’s margins in the future.

• Focus on Topline Growth:
  The company remains focused on maintaining strong topline growth for the second half of 2024 (2H24F). Further rationalization of competition is expected to contribute positively to this strategy, helping improve margins as the market stabilizes.

Price Target and Recommendation

• Recommendation: Add
• Target Price: USD 118

Analyst Insights

The report suggests a positive outlook for SEA Ltd, underpinned by the company’s strategic focus on growing Shopee’s revenue and maintaining a competitive edge. The rationalized competition landscape across ASEAN markets supports the view that SEA Ltd could see an improvement in profitability as it continues to drive strong GMV growth. The broker has revised the target price upwards, reflecting optimism about the company’s future performance.