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Sector: Energy
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Fundamental View
AS OF 23 Feb 2026KORGAS is Korea’s sole integrated gas utility and a quasi‑sovereign credit, with an effective monopoly across natural gas E&P, procurement, storage, transmission, and wholesale distribution.
Its credit profile is underpinned by a dominant position in the gas and hydrogen value chain and strong government support, which partly mitigates the impact of delayed and incomplete cost pass‑through during periods of price volatility, such as in FY22.
We expect earnings to stabilize and modestly improve in FY26-FY27, driven mainly by margin normalization, lower financing costs from debt reduction and easing receivables, while volume growth remains constrained by structural competition from nuclear and renewables.
Business Description
AS OF 23 Feb 2026- KORGAS is 54.6% owned directly/indirectly by the Korean government (Central Government 26.2%, KEPCO 20.5%, Local Government 7.9%). It is Korea's only fully integrated gas utility, holding an effective monopoly over E&P, procurement, storage, transmission, and wholesale distribution of natural gas. KORGAS plays a key role in Korea’s energy transition, with plans to increase LNG generation capacity by 56% by 2036 from 2022. KORGAS was also designated as Korea’s sole hydrogen distribution agency in 2020.
- The Korean natural gas sector is split into wholesale and retail segments. KORGAS is the exclusive wholesaler, while city gas companies manage retail supply via regional networks. In 9M25, 46% of KORGAS's gas sales were to domestic LNG-fired power generation companies (gencos, including KEPCO subsidiaries and IPPs), with the remaining 54% sold to city gas and heating companies.
- KORGAS operates under a highly regulated framework, with government oversight of tariffs, investment plans, and capacity expansion. In addition to its domestic LNG infrastructure, the company owns overseas E&P assets to enhance supply security and earnings diversification. In line with government policy, KORGAS continues to invest selectively in hydrogen infrastructure and low‑carbon initiatives, leveraging its gas network and operational expertise to support Korea’s clean‑energy transition.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 23 Feb 2026Risks: (1) delayed or insufficient tariff adjustments; (2) higher-than-expected debt-funded capex; (3) regulatory and policy risks; (4) overseas E&P volatility; (5) foreign-exchange risk; (6) liquidity and refinancing risk; (7) asset impairment risks; (8) structural demand risk.
Catalysts: (1) stronger-than-expected government support; (2) more timely and adequate tariff adjustments; (3) stabilizing fuel prices; (4) sustained debt reduction and receivables recovery; (5) resilient regulated city-gas earnings; (6) selective growth in hydrogen and low-carbon energy initiatives.
Key Metric
AS OF 23 Feb 2026| KRW bn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | LTM 3Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 75.8% | 81.3% | 80.7% | 79.0% | 76.7% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 74.2% | 79.8% | 79.1% | 77.2% | 74.5% |
| Debt/Equity | 313.3% | 434.4% | 418.0% | 377.0% | 329.5% |
| FFO to Total Debt | 7.9% | 7.3% | 4.2% | 8.3% | 8.8% |
| FFO to Net Debt | 8.1% | 7.5% | 4.3% | 8.5% | 9.1% |
| Interest Coverage | 4.8x | 5.1x | 2.2x | 3.4x | 2.1x |
| EBITDA Margin | 11.4% | 8.8% | 8.0% | 13.3% | 13.0% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 23 Feb 2026We maintain our O/P recommendation on KORGAS. Its credit profile is supported by its essential policy role as South Korea’s sole vertically integrated natural gas utility and a key energy supplier. We expect earnings to stabilize and modestly improve in FY26-FY27, driven mainly by margin normalization, lower financing costs from debt reduction and easing receivables, while volume growth remains constrained by structural competition from nuclear and renewables. We find KORGAS attractive relative to lower-rated Chinese SOEs, BBB-rated low beta Korean corporates, and other Korean quasi-sovereigns. We recommend KORGAS to investors seeking safe carry in the Asia credit space.
Recommendation Reviewed: February 23, 2026
Recommendation Changed: June 27, 2023
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Search topics about wealth insights and investments.SMC Global Power
- Sector: Energy
- Sub Sector: Independent Power Producers
- Country: Philippines
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Fundamental View
AS OF 14 Jan 2026We see lower non-call risk for SMC GP’s c.2026 perps owing to strong near-term parental funding support, its recent c.2024 and c.2025 perp refinancing, and recent bond exchange/tender with a new $900 mn c.2029 perp issuance.
We see an improving credit outlook for SMC GP aided by lower thermal coal input costs, new contracts, and capacity additions. Net cash inflows of $2.1-$2.2 bn from the completion of an LNG deal is also positive.
While SMC GP improved its cost passthrough contractual mix from end-FY23 onwards, the company still remains exposed to high thermal coal input costs (~40-50% of contracts).
SMC GP incurs sizable capex that has led to additional debt incurrence and elevated credit metrics.
Business Description
AS OF 14 Jan 2026- SMC GP is a leading power generation and distribution company in the Philippines. Its total generation capacity stands at 4.7 GW, accounting for ~20% of the national grid.
- The bulk of its revenues is derived from power generation (~82%), with the remainder from electricity distribution and retailing (~18%).
- It operates 7 power generating plants across diversified energy sources, comprising coal (~62%), natural gas (~25%), hydro (~12%) and battery energy storage (~1%).
- Through long-term power supply agreements and retail supply contracts, SMC GP either sells electricity directly to customers (including large Philippines power distribution company Manila Electric Company, distribution utilities and other industrial customers), or through the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
- SMC GP acts as the Independent Power Producer Administrator (IPPA) for three power plants (~54% of total capacity), where it has the right to sell electricity generated by the IPPs without having to bear large upfront capital expenditures for plant construction and maintenance.
- SMC GP also distributes and retails electricity services through its wholly-owned subsidiary Albay Power and Energy, which distributes power in the province of Albay, Luzon.
- SMC GP is a wholly-owned unlisted subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in the Philippines based on total revenues and assets.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 14 Jan 2026SMC GP still has $984 mn of c.2026 perps outstanding to be addressed, though we see low non-call risks.
A moderate portion of SMC GP’s off-take contracts do not contain cost pass-through mechanisms. This exposes the company to a rise in thermal coal input costs that could squeeze its EBITDA margins.
SMC GP incurs sizable capex that has spurred additional debt incurrence. Consequently, its credit metrics remain elevated.
Over 80% of SMC GP’s installed capacity is thermal coal or gas-fired, which may be viewed unfavorably from an ESG perspective.
Key Metric
AS OF 14 Jan 2026| PHP bn | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 3Q24 | 3Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 69.2% | 62.8% | 64.4% | 62.4% | 58.3% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 66.4% | 59.4% | 57.7% | 58.8% | 48.1% |
| Debt/Total Equity | 224.6% | 168.7% | 181.2% | 165.6% | 139.8% |
| Debt/Total Assets | 79.0% | 73.8% | 73.8% | 71.3% | 67.2% |
| Gross Leverage | 19.4x | 12.9x | 11.9x | 10.4x | 10.4x |
| Net Leverage | 18.6x | 12.2x | 10.7x | 9.8x | 8.6x |
| Interest Coverage | 1.4x | 2.2x | 2.3x | 2.5x | 2.1x |
| EBITDA Margin | 13.2% | 26.4% | 26.6% | 25.7% | 43.5% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 03 Feb 2026We upgrade SMC GP to Outperform from Market perform. SMC GP’s perps trade wide to S&SEA B-rated corporates including Vedanta and Indika, and we see room for 30+ bp of outperformance. We are comfortable with SMC GP’s improving credit outlook, completion of the $3.3 bn LNG deal, strong parental support, and management’s willingness and ability to repay the perps. We like SMC GP’s c.2029-2030 perps for their high coupons, and we see the ~8% yields as attractive for a S&SEA HY credit with improving fundamentals. That said, key risks include any weakening of parental funding support (due to SMC’s own sizable infra capex) and overly aggressive capex.
Recommendation Reviewed: February 03, 2026
Recommendation Changed: February 03, 2026
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Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Perusahaan Listrik Negara
- Sector: Energy
- Sub Sector: Independent Power Producers
- Region: Indonesia
- Bond: PLNIJ 4.125 27
- Indicative Yield-to-Maturity (YTM): 4.29%
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Fundamental View
AS OF 17 Dec 2025- PLN enjoys extremely strong ties with the Government of Indonesia (GoI) given its critical policy role of electrifying the nation. Post the launch of Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara, PLN is now indirectly owned by the GoI through Danantara.
- PLN delivered a robust set of 1H25 results, with total revenue and EBITDA up 5% and 9% YoY respectively driven by resilient power demand across Indonesia
- Looking ahead, we expect PLN’s credit metrics to improve in FY25 supported by higher YoY EBITDA, though partially weighed upon by higher capex; we anticipate FY25 EBITDA growth to be in the mid to high single-digit % YoY, mainly attributable to Indonesia’s healthy economic growth, supporting power demand; we also expect power tariffs to remain flat.
Business Description
AS OF 17 Dec 2025- PLN is involved in the entire electricity value-chain, from power generation, to transmission, distribution and retail.
- It alone accounts for 76% (~47 GW) of Indonesia's generation capacity (of which 8 GW is renewable capacity), while IPPs provide the remainder.
- The company controls and operates the entire transmission and distribution network in the country. It is the sole buyer of electricity produced by IPPs, through power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- It sells electricity to well-diversified off-takers – 41% to households, 25% to industrial customers, 21% to businesses and 12% to others.
- Since 2015, the GoI has gradually implemented monthly tariff adjustments for 13 customer groups, so that rates charged to customers are better matched with production costs.
- However, under the Public Service Obligation (PSO), the company will continue to sell electricity at subsidized rates of 50% to 450-volt amperes (VA) power households and 25% to 900 VA power households. The GoI subsequently reimburses the company for the difference between the subsidized tariff rate and production cost, typically within 2-3 months.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 17 Dec 2025- The company provides subsidized electricity to certain households for which it subsequently receives reimbursements from the GoI; though these payments tend to get delayed during major events such as COVID-19 pandemic.
- In order to increase the country’s electrification ratio to 97%, the company had been mandated by the GoI to develop large electricity capacities through the Fast Track II and 35,000 MW Programs. Implementation of such complex programs has required significant capital expenditure, which has led PLN’s FCF to fall deep into the red in recent years and created a funding gap.
- The success of the above programs is also contingent on the company’s ability to source coal cheaply, select quality contractors, acquire land rights and receive adequate subsidy reimbursements from the GoI.
- Being primarily a thermal power producer, PLN may be viewed unfavourably from an ESG perspective.
Key Metric
AS OF 17 Dec 2025| IDR bn | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1H24 | 1H25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 28.9% | 27.8% | 27.3% | 27.5% | 27.2% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 25.2% | 23.7% | 23.0% | 25.4% | 23.9% |
| Debt/Total Equity | 40.7% | 38.5% | 37.5% | 38.0% | 37.3% |
| Debt/Total Assets | 24.6% | 23.4% | 22.5% | 22.9% | 22.1% |
| Gross Leverage | 4.1x | 4.1x | 3.6x | 4.1x | 3.4x |
| Net Leverage | 3.5x | 3.5x | 3.0x | 3.8x | 3.0x |
| Interest Coverage | 4.5x | 3.7x | 3.9x | 3.4x | 3.9x |
| EBITDA Margin | 31.2% | 27.6% | 30.4% | 29.8% | 30.9% |
CreditSights View
AS OF 27 Jan 2026PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara) is a resilient, quasi-sovereign utility, making it a core defensive recommendation primarily due to its monopolistic dominance and critical role in powering Indonesia’s economy. The company’s credit strength is built on foundational operations across the entire electricity value chain—generation, transmission, and distribution—providing predictable cash flows and protection through established government subsidy mechanisms. Complementing this stability is its strategic alignment with national development goals, now reinforced by its indirect ownership under the sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, which supports its capital-intensive transition toward renewable energy and the ambitious 2034 power supply plan. This deep integration with the state not only mitigates execution risks associated with its elevated capital expenditures but also ensures robust financial backing, allowing PLN to sustain healthy credit metrics—recently improving net leverage to 3.0x—positioning it to benefit substantially from Indonesia’s resilient power demand and long-term economic expansion.
Recommendation Reviewed: January 27, 2026
Recommendation Changed: December 06, 2024
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Fundamental View
AS OF 09 Dec 2025Petron’s delivered a robust set of result in 9M25; we expect Petron’s credit metrics to improve YoY, driven by improvement in its EBITDA and lower debt. We expect FY25 EBITDA to improve YoY owing to double-digit YoY-decline in crude oil input costs in FY25, though partially offset by a single-digit YoY decline in sales volume.
About two-third of its total revenues are derived from the Philippines and are indexed to Dubai crude prices, which allows for smooth cost pass-throughs and good insulation from crude price volatility.
Free cash flows are typically negative due to inventory fluctuations that outweigh low capex.
Business Description
AS OF 09 Dec 2025- Petron is the largest oil refining and retailing company in the Philippines, and the third largest player in Malaysia. It maintains a 24% market share in the Philippines (followed by Shell and Caltex) and a 20% market share in Malaysia (largest being Petronas), based on total fuel sales volumes.
- Petron has a total refining capacity of 268k barrels/day (bpd) and accounts for about 30% of the Philippines' fuel needs. Its petroleum refining facilities include the Limay Refinery in Bataan, Philippines (capacity of 180k bpd; 67% of total) and the Port Dickson Refinery in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (capacity of 88k bpd; remaining 33% of total).
- Petron's refineries process crude oil into a full range of petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, kerosene and petrochemicals.
- It further markets and retails these fuel products through its fuel service stations located across the Philippines (~1,800 outlets) and Malaysia (>800 outlets).
- Petron sources its crude oil supplies from third-party suppliers, namely Saudi Aramco, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Exxon Mobil, which are bought on the basis of term contracts and in the spot market.
- Petron mainly supplies its petroleum and fuel products to customers in Malaysia and the Philippines (~95% of annual revenue).
- Petron is 68% owned by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in the Philippines based on total revenues and assets. SMC's CEO, Mr. Ramon Ang, is also Petron's CEO.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 09 Dec 2025Petron cannot fully pass on higher crude oil input costs to customers in Malaysia.
Petron operates in low-margin business (EBITDA margins ~5%) and maintains elevated credit metrics.
Petron is highly dependent on its Limay petroleum refining complex that makes up two-thirds of its total refining capacity (67%). Any events that disrupt the refinery’s operations could adversely affect Petron’s total revenues.
Key Metric
AS OF 09 Dec 2025| PHP bn | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 3Q24 | 3Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 74.0% | 75.1% | 74.5% | 70.8% | 71.0% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 65.5% | 68.2% | 67.1% | 59.7% | 60.7% |
| Debt/Total Equity | 284.2% | 301.4% | 292.0% | 242.0% | 245.0% |
| Debt/Total Assets | 70.2% | 67.6% | 64.9% | 63.6% | 61.9% |
| Gross Leverage | 10.9x | 7.1x | 7.4x | 7.9x | 6.0x |
| Net Leverage | 9.7x | 6.4x | 6.7x | 6.7x | 5.1x |
| Interest Coverage | 2.2x | 2.2x | 1.9x | 1.8x | 2.4x |
| EBITDA Margin | 3.4% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 3.8% | 7.1% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 09 Dec 2025We move Petron to Market perform from Outperform, as we think the $475 mn 7.35% c.Sep-2028 perp has tightened to where we see fair value. That said, we continue to like Petron’s c.2028 for its relatively high coupon and hence high carry. Overall, we think Petron is a stable credit with an improving credit outlook. We like its full cost passthroughs for its operations in retail O&G in the Philippines, low capex, consistently improving net leverage metric (LTM 1H25: 6x), manageable debt maturity profile, proven willingness/ability to call back its perps by their first call date, strong parental support from the domestically well-reputed San Miguel Group and a 3-year tenor to first call that limits duration risk.
Recommendation Reviewed: December 09, 2025
Recommendation Changed: October 02, 2025
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Fundamental View
AS OF 03 Sep 2025Petronas’ 1H25 and FY24 credit metrics remained resilient even as EBITDA fell as we had expected.
Despite the lower YoY outlook for O&G price realizations in FY25, we expect Petronas’ credit profile to remain resilient in FY25 and maintain its net cash position, aided by resilient domestic demand and still-positive FCFs.
We take comfort in Petronas’ strong support from the Government of Malaysia, given it is strategically vested with Malaysia’s entire oil & gas resources and provides a substantial source of government income.
Sizable O&G and renewable capex and high dividend payouts could restrain improvements in Petronas’ credit metrics and free cash flows.
Business Description
AS OF 03 Sep 2025- Petronas is an integrated oil and gas company, wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Malaysia.
- Its activities span the entire up/mid/downstream value chain both domestically and internationally. Key products and services provided include the sale and marketing of petroleum products, crude oil and condensates, LNG, natural and processed gas, petrochemicals, shipping services, property development and automotive engineering.
- Petronas carries out its exploration, development and production activities via production sharing contracts (“PSCs”), mostly with international O&G companies and Petronas' wholly-owned subsidiaries.
- Its Downstream segment is aimed at refining, supplying, trading, manufacturing and marketing of crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. Its key projects and factories include Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), Sabah Ammonia Urea in Sabah, and Integrated Aroma Ingredients Complex in Gebeng, Kuantan.
- Its Gas and New Energy division was set up in FY19 and groups all of Petronas' LNG, gas and renewable revenues into a single segment. Activities within this division include production of LNG, processing and transportation of gas and solar power production.
- Its 6 listed subsidiaries include MISC Berhad (57.56%), KLCC Property (75.46%), Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (64.35%), Petronas Gas Berhad (51%), Petronas Dagangan Berhad (63.94%), and Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (28.52%).
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 03 Sep 2025Broad growth slowdown concerns could hamper sales of Petronas’ Downstream (petroleum products) and Gas & New Energy (LNG and natural gas) segments.
Prolonged periods of low crude oil prices could harm upstream O&G EBITDA (which typically contributes 50%-70% of total profit after tax), albeit mitigated partly by stronger downstream O&G EBITDA.
Sizable capex on domestic O&G and renewable energy ventures could restrain improvements in Petronas’ credit metrics and free cash flows.
Petronas is regularly required to pay dividends to the Government of Malaysia, which may weigh on its cash flows.
We remain watchful of how the dispute between Petronas and Sarawak state government unfolds, its impact on Petronas’ financials and its market position in the Malaysian O&G sector.
Key Metric
AS OF 03 Sep 2025| MYR mn | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1H24 | 1H25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 18.4% | 18.2% | 18.0% | 18.6% | 20.0% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | n/m | n/m | n/m | n/m | n/m |
| Debt/Total Equity | 22.6% | 22.2% | 21.9% | 22.8% | 25.1% |
| Debt/Total Assets | 14.7% | 14.4% | 14.5% | 14.3% | 15.8% |
| Gross Leverage | 0.6x | 0.8x | 0.9x | 0.8x | 2.1x |
| Net Leverage | n/m | n/m | n/m | n/m | n/m |
| Interest Coverage | 33.9x | 24.9x | 21.8x | 24.4x | 18.6x |
| EBITDA Margin | 50.7% | 44.8% | 42.0% | 43.6% | 45.3% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 08 Dec 2025We maintain our M/P rec on Petronas and remove our preference for its 2026-2032 as our anticipated tightening has played out; Petronas’ short-dated have tightened ~30 bp since we first put out our preference. We compare Petronas to Pertamina and think its $ bonds now trade within our fair value range against Pertamina’s. We like Petronas’s larger EBITDA, net cash position, more regular financial reporting than Pertamina and Malaysia’s relative policy stability. With the Petronas vs Sarawak state dispute nearing a resolution, we are more comfortable with the credit though we remain watchful of any negative development should Sarawak further contest the reported agreement.
Recommendation Reviewed: December 08, 2025
Recommendation Changed: September 07, 2020
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Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Korea Electric Power Corp.
- Sector: Energy
- Sub Sector: Utilities
- Region: Korea
- Bond: KORELE 5.5 28
- Indicative Yield-to-Maturity (YTM): 4.858%
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Fundamental View
AS OF 07 Jul 2025- KEPCO is Korea’s only fully integrated electricity utility and is considered a quasi-sovereign credit, with its financial strength anchored by a very high level of government support stemming from its essential role in securing the nation’s power supply.
- In FY24, KEPCO’s credit profile improved significantly due to higher tariffs and stabilizing fuel costs, driving strong rebounds in revenue, EBITDA margin, and cash flow. Credit metrics strengthened, with total debt/EBITDA and net debt/EBITDA improving to 6.7x/6.6x. Although capex remains substantial and continues to keep debt elevated, the stronger operating performance has provided a cushion. These factors, combined with KEPCO’s critical policy function and the strong likelihood of government support, underpin its solid credit standing.
Business Description
AS OF 07 Jul 2025- KEPCO is a quasi-sovereign credit and the sole integrated electric utilities company in Korea. It is majority-owned by the Korean government, which maintains at least a 51% stake as stipulated by law, with shares listed on both the Korea Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
- It is South Korea’s leading electricity utility, holding an effective monopoly over the country’s transmission and distribution networks and acting as the primary power generator. Through its six wholly owned generation subsidiaries - Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Korea South-East Power (KOEN), Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), Korea East-West Power (EWP), Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO), and Korea Southern Power (KOSPO), KEPCO supplies around two-thirds of Korea’s electricity and manages more than half of the nation’s total power capacity. KHNP is the sole nuclear power generation company in Korea. On a consolidated basis, electricity transmission & distribution accounts for over 95% of KEPCO's annual revenues.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 07 Jul 2025- Key risks to KEPCO’s standalone credit profile include: 1) higher-than-expected fuel costs due to continued increase of international prices of coal, natural gas and oil as well as a significant depreciation of the KRW against the $; (2) inability to pass through high fuel costs due to insufficient or delayed tariff adjustment; and (3) higher-than-expected capex and investments related to Korea’s green transition. However, we do not foresee these risks to materially impair KEPCO’s ability to access funding, credit rating and overall credit profile as we expect KEPCO to continue receiving an extremely high level of support from the Korean government.
- KEPCO’s exposure to nuclear power operations and coal-fired power generation may post ESG concerns for investors with an ESG mandate. The company also faces challenges from Korea’s push for decarbonization, with tightening environmental regulations and a planned reduction in coal-fired power potentially increasing compliance costs and execution risks during the energy transition.
Key Metric
AS OF 07 Jul 2025| KRW bn | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 55.3% | 60.1% | 76.9% | 80.5% | 78.9% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 54.1% | 58.7% | 75.3% | 78.4% | 77.8% |
| Debt/Total Equity | 1.2x | 1.5x | 3.3x | 4.1x | 3.7x |
| Debt/Total Assets | 43.0% | 46.7% | 59.6% | 64.3% | 62.6% |
| Gross Leverage | 5.6x | 16.5x | -6.9x | 18.2x | 6.9x |
| Net Leverage | 5.5x | 16.1x | -6.8x | 17.7x | 6.8x |
| Interest Coverage | 7.8x | 3.1x | -7.2x | 1.9x | 4.8x |
| EBITDA Margin | 26.5% | 9.8% | (28.3%) | 9.6% | 23.9% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 06 Feb 2026We maintain our Outperform recommendation on Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO; Aa2/AA/AA-; Sta/Sta/Sta) following our recent issuer trip in December; we view KEPCO as more attractive compared to Chinese A-rated utilities and national oil companies, underpinned by its stronger government support as the sole integrated utility and grid operator in South Korea; we recommend it for investors looking for defensive carry in the Asia corporate space.
Recommendation Reviewed: February 06, 2026
Recommendation Changed: July 24, 2023
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Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Pertamina
- Sector: Energy
- Sub Sector: Oil and Gas
- Region: Indonesia
- Bond: PERTIJ 3.1 30
- Indicative Yield-to-Maturity (YTM): 5.339%
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Fundamental View
AS OF 18 Jun 2025- Pertamina enjoys very strong linkages with the Government of Indonesia (GoI) and is assured of extraordinary support in times of distress.
- Lower expected Brent crude prices YoY could weigh on its upstream margins and overall EBITDA (given the upstream business accounts for >65% of consolidated EBITDA).
- Although leverage typically remains low, Pertamina incurs large capex spending that could pressure its free cash flow generation.
- High persisting dividend outflows could restrain free cash flow improvements.
Business Description
AS OF 18 Jun 2025- Pertamina is involved in a broad range of upstream and downstream oil, gas, geothermal and petrochemical operations.
- In the upstream sector, it engages in the exploration, development and production and supply of crude oil, natural gas and geothermal energy.
- As for the downstream sector, the company carries out refining, marketing and distribution of oil, gas, fuel products and petrochemical and other non-fuel products.
- As of 31 December 2024, its total proved oil reserves stood at ~1,394 mmbbl (mn barrels of oil) and gas reserves stood at ~1,058 mmboe (mn barrels of oil equivalent). Its average daily oil and gas production was ~1,045,000 boe per day in FY24. The company owns and operates 6 refineries in Indonesia.
- Under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) mandate, Pertamina is responsible for providing certain grades of motor gasoline, automotive diesel oil, kerosene and LPG at subsidized prices. The subsidized retail price is often times lower than the cost of production, creating a shortfall, for which it receives reimbursements from the GoI.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 18 Jun 2025- Pertamina’s profitability is materially affected by volatility in oil & gas prices. Prolonged periods of low oil prices could hurt upstream earnings that form the bulk of overall EBITDA (>65%).
- As retail prices of certain fuel products are regulated, realized prices may be below its cost of sales.
- Pertamina has to initially absorb the shortfall between the regulated retail price and the cost of producing and distributing certain fuel products. If the price of crude oil exceeds the price ceiling set by the GoI, the company may receive insufficient subsidy reimbursements.
- Capex typically remains elevated and which pressurizes its free cash flow generation.
Key Metric
AS OF 18 Jun 2025| $ mn | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 38.5% | 41.2% | 42.1% | 37.6% | 34.9% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 18.9% | 21.9% | 12.5% | 8.5% | 12.3% |
| Debt/Total Equity | 62.5% | 70.0% | 72.7% | 60.4% | 53.6% |
| Debt/Total Assets | 28.3% | 29.9% | 30.8% | 27.4% | 26.3% |
| Gross Leverage | 2.4x | 2.5x | 1.9x | 1.9x | 2.2x |
| Net Leverage | 1.2x | 1.3x | 0.6x | 0.4x | 0.8x |
| Interest Coverage | 7.8x | 8.7x | 11.2x | 8.9x | 7.5x |
| EBITDA Margin | 19.9% | 16.0% | 16.7% | 17.7% | 14.3% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 08 Dec 2025We maintain our Market perform recommendation on Pertamina at the issuer level with a continued preference for its 2031, 2041, and 2042 bonds. We think current spread levels are fair given the downside risk of the O&G sector’s cyclicality and persisting policy uncertainty from Indonesia’s new sovereign wealth fund Danantara. That said, we continue to view Pertamina as a safe-haven pick and remain comfortable with Pertamina’s full state-ownership, timely fuel subsidy and compensation from the Indonesian government, positive free cash flow generation, robust credit metrics and our expectation for Pertamina’s strategic policy role to sustain even amidst macro headwinds and Danantara.
Recommendation Reviewed: December 08, 2025
Recommendation Changed: May 16, 2023
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Fundamental View
AS OF 05 Jun 2025We expect the credit profile of Sinopec, which is one of the three Chinese national oil companies (NOCs) to continue to be underpinned by its strategic role in China’s energy security and the resulting strong government support.
We expect Sinopec’s standalone credit profile to remain supported in FY24 by resilient refined oil demand and improving demand for chemical products as industrial activities pick up and the destocking trend ends.
To note, we use the financials of HKEx listed Sinopec Corp (386.HK) as a proxy for the credit profile of its parent, the obligor of the outstanding $ bonds (BBG: SINOPE).
Business Description
AS OF 05 Jun 2025- Sinopec Group is a Chinese integrated oil and gas (O&G) company and is one of the largest globally & domestically. In 3Q24, 56.4% of Sinopec Corp' external revenues came from marketing and distribution (i.e. retail and direct sales of refined oil), 13.9% from chemicals, 5.1% from refining, and 5.0% from E&P. Corporate and others segment accounted for the remaining 19.6% of sales revenue, consisting of import and export business, R&D and managerial activities.
- The refining segment purchases crude oil from third parties as well as the E&P segment of the company, and processes crude oil into refined petroleum product. Most of the gasoline, diesel and kerosene are sold internally to the marketing and distribution segment of the company; part of the chemical feedstock is sold internally to the chemical segment, and the other refined petroleum products are sold externally to both domestic and overseas customers. The marketing and distribution segment purchases refined oil products from the refining segment and third parties, and mainly distributes to domestic customers via its wholesale and retail networks.
- In 9M24, Sinopec's total oil and gas output was 386.06 mn barrels of oil equivalent, up 2.6% YoY; this included 190.42/20.87 mmbbls (+1.2%/-6.6%) of domestically produced/overseas crude oil, as well as 1,084 bcf of natural gas (+5.6% YoY). The average realized price of its crude oil and natural gas was $76.6/bbl (+1.1% YoY)and $7.48/thousand cubit feet (+5.4% YoY)respectively.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 05 Jun 2025Risks: Lower-than-expected domestic sales of refined oil and chemical products due to a severe economic downturn, higher-than-expected crude oil and gas feedstock costs resulted from geopolitical tensions, elevated inventory losses due to tumbling oil & gas prices, and large capex overrun result in a weaker standalone credit profile. However, we expect the strong government support to offset these downside risks. US sanction related headline risks due to US-China tension and other geopolitical risks.
Catalysts: inflow into China $ bonds as a result of improving China macro outlook and US-China relationship; stronger-than-expected recovery in chemical product demand.
Key Metric
AS OF 05 Jun 2025| RMB bn | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | 3Q24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Debt/Capitalization | 25.3% | 25.6% | 27.5% | 31.5% | 33.1% |
| Net Debt/Capitalization | 9.4% | 7.6% | 16.3% | 19.8% | 21.4% |
| Total Debt/Total Equity | 33.8% | 34.5% | 38.0% | 46.1% | 49.4% |
| Total Debt/Total Assets | 17.2% | 16.7% | 18.3% | 21.7% | 22.9% |
| Total Debt/EBITDA | 1.5x | 1.2x | 1.5x | 2.0x | 2.3x |
| Net Debt/EBITDA | 0.6x | 0.4x | 0.9x | 1.3x | 1.5x |
| EBITDA/Gross Interest | 16.8x | 20.1x | 16.1x | 14.5x | 14.2x |
| EBITDA Margin | 9.5% | 9.4% | 7.0% | 6.8% | 5.9% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 05 Jun 2025We affirm our Market perform recommendation on Sinopec. A-rated Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including Sinopec are trading tight due to a lack of new supply and as investors fly to quality amid macro uncertainties in China. We continue to prefer AA-rated Korean quasi-sovereign names for safe carry (like KOROIL, KORGAS, KEPCO) and higher-beta Chinese SOEs for spread pickup.
Recommendation Reviewed: June 05, 2025
Recommendation Changed: May 03, 2021
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