Still cheap and the Red Sea is still closed

A. P. Møller Mærsk (Sell, TP: DKK9400.00) - Resistance to gravity seem...

The Q1 report was largely as expected, albeit with support in the results related to mostly passing effects. Hence, we retain our view that the chronic oversupply of vessels will deteriorate the current value of the company. On rates converging towards 2016 levels, it should burn through more than USD13bn by the end of our forecast period, with no respite in sight due to the towering orderbook and owners still willing to order. We reiterate our SELL, but have raised our target price to DKK9,400 ...

Q1'25 beat driven by Ocean and Terminals

A. P. Møller Mærsk (Sell, TP: DKK8800.00) - Overcapacity at the gates

We find the recent share price strength surprising and likely short-lived due to a challenging supply/demand balance, only augmented by the escalating trade tensions. While we expect a Q1 beat versus consensus, we believe the company’s outlook is unlikely to satisfy buy-side expectations, and we see sizeable downside risk to the current valuation. We reiterate our SELL and have cut our target price to DKK8,800 (10,800).

Tariffs will hurt, but cons. is too low for Q1

Another abrupt change

The US Trade Representative on 17 April published revised US port fees with significant changes to the initial proposal based on industry feedback. In its current form, the fees will primarily discourage use of Chinese-controlled maritime trade services to the US, and directly affect the use of Chinese-built vessels in US ports (with several considerable exemptions to avoid harm to US trade). The previous broader fees based on fleet composition and share of Chinese-built vessels has been scrappe...

‘The times they are a-changin’

The recurring theme at our 18th Energy & Shipping Conference was geopolitical uncertainty and a potential trade war, warranting a wait-and-see approach, particularly on the Trump 2.0 effect. The consensus view pointed to high asset values, with no rush to the yards, aligning with below-NAV valuations across most of our coverage. However, panellists generally saw less downside risk than the 25% average discount to steel for our Tanker, Dry Bulk and Gas coverage. Overall, the day highlighted uncer...

A. P. Møller Mærsk (Sell, TP: DKK10800.00) - Just too many ships

We expect Q4 to mark a turning point, with probable distributions announced and clear downside risk. Simply comparing the ratio of ships to cargo, we find there should be a significant number of ships without work versus 2019, and believe the depth of the downturn has yet to be priced in. We have downgraded to SELL (HOLD) and cut our target price to DKK10,800 (11,700).

Red Sea re-opening is well discounted

Q4 beat and '25 guidance better than feared

A playbook on US tariffs

As a response to recent news flow of potential tariffs and countermeasures, we highlight the main implications for the shipping sectors we cover. While the specifics remain uncertain, the below input might assist in gauging potential impacts of the disruptions.

A. P. Møller Mærsk (Hold, TP: DKK11700.00) - Potential for USD4bn–8bn ...

We expect the Q4 results to reflect continued strength in the container freight market, which picked up further over December–January, and have raised our 2025 forecasts. However, our 2025e EBITDA of USD6.0bn remains 17% below Bloomberg consensus. With guidance likely the main focus, we expect it to target underlying EBITDA of USD4bn–8bn. As vessel oversupply is set to continue hampering rates for a dreary long-term outlook, we reiterate our HOLD and DKK11,700 target price.

A final 2024 guidance upgrade in the making

ABGSC Shipping Daily 29 November

Container spot rates up again 3% w-o-w, contract rates flat, HAUTO signs 2-year contract with a "major international car producer", Flex LNG announces 15yr time charter for Flex Constellation

A. P. Møller Mærsk (Hold, TP: DKK11700.00) - Anchored by challenges

We fail to be excited by the largely pre-announced Q3 and recently revised guidance, but concede the valuation in Maersk looks depressed, albeit for a very good reason. More newbuild orders from the latest cash build mean another delivery wave on top of an already structurally overbuilt industry. We remain muted on the sector and reiterate our HOLD, and have lowered our target price to DKK11,700 (11,500).

New guidance already looks conservative

Solid report; FY guidance looks low

Q3'24 as pre-announced last week. Segments - Beat in all segments. Freight rates better than modelled, share up 1-3%.

A. P. Møller Mærsk (Hold, TP: DKK11500.00) - Likely topping out in Q3

While the Q3 results posted a ~USD1bn beat to our and consensus expectations likely due to stronger container shipping markets, we believe the implications for long-term estimates are limited, as its updated guidance indicates a ~USD2bn QOQ decline for Q4. Hence, the Q3 beat on a stand-alone basis would add up to 4% to the market cap, all else equal.

Guidance upgrade equals 5% of market cap

Q3'24 EBITDA of USD 4.8bn (ABGSCe at USD 4.5, cons. at USD 3.6). Increases full year guidance - Not unexpected. Higher guidance warrants a positive share price reaction.

Q3e EBITDA lifted 32%; consensus too low

YTD container demand growth of 18%. Consensus too low for Q3; potential guidance upgrade for '24. TP of DKK 14,300 (14,550) – BUY.