What is HMLP's Intrinsic value?

Hoegh LNG Partners LP (HMLP) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of June 8, 2025, Hoegh LNG Partners LP's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $9.94 to $20.18 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $17.57 +90.1%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $13.19 +42.8%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $12.57 +36.0%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $9.94 +7.6%
Earnings Power Value $20.18 +118.4%

Is Hoegh LNG Partners LP (HMLP) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $9.24, the stock appears to be significantly undervalued.

Understanding Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value represents the "true" worth of a company based on its fundamentals rather than market sentiment. We've employed multiple methodologies to triangulate Hoegh LNG Partners LP's intrinsic value, including:

  1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF): Values the company based on projected future cash flows
  2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM): Values the company based on expected future dividend payments
  3. Earnings Power Value (EPV): Values the company based on its current earnings power, assuming no growth

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)

The cost of capital is a critical factor in valuation models, representing the required return for investors.

WACC Component Low High
Long-term bond rate 3.2% 3.7%
Equity market risk premium 4.2% 5.2%
Adjusted beta 2.29 2.39
Cost of equity 12.9% 16.7%
Cost of debt 4.0% 5.5%
Tax rate 11.1% 12.1%
Debt/Equity ratio 1.34 1.34
After-tax WACC 7.5% 9.9%

Valuation Methods

1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation

Our DCF model projects cash flows over 5-year and 10-year horizons, with the following key assumptions:

  • Forecast Period: 5-year DCF and 10-year DCF
  • Terminal Growth Rate: 0.0% (range: 3.0% - 5.0%)
  • Discount Rate: 8.7% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $141 (FY12-2021) to $195 (FY12-2031)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 42% to 47%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 19% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $13 $797M 70.5%
10-Year Growth $18 $943M 50.6%
5-Year EBITDA $20 $676M 65.2%
10-Year EBITDA $25 $830M 43.8%

2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM)

The DDM values a company based on its expected future dividend payments. We used two approaches:

Multi-Stage DDM:

  • Current payout ratio: 56.1%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 14.8%
  • Long-term growth rate: 0.5%
  • Fair value: $12.57 (36.0% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 16.7% (Low) to 12.9% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 0.0% (Low) to 1.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $7 to $13
  • Selected fair value: $9.94 (7.6% from current price)

3. Earnings Power Value (EPV)

EPV assesses a company's value based on its current normalized earnings power, assuming no growth.

EPV Component Value
Normalized Earnings $88M
Discount Rate (WACC) 9.9% - 7.5%
Enterprise Value $891M - $1,171M
Net Debt $357M
Equity Value $534M - $813M
Outstanding Shares 33M
Fair Value $16 - $24
Selected Fair Value $20.18

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $308M
Enterprise Value $308M
Trailing P/E 0.00
Forward P/E 4.68
Trailing EV/EBITDA 6.00
Current Dividend Yield 43.38%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) -35.60%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 1.34

Investment Decision Framework

To determine the most reliable intrinsic value estimate, we weigh each valuation method based on:

  1. Forecast Certainty: DCF methods rely on long-term projections, while earnings power value focuses on current normalized earnings
  2. Business Model Alignment: Dividend models are more appropriate for mature companies with established dividend policies
  3. Historical Accuracy: How well each method has predicted fair value historically

Valuation Weight Matrix

Valuation Method Weight Weighted Value
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) 30% $5.27
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $3.30
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $2.51
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $1.49
Earnings Power Value 10% $2.02
Weighted Average 100% $14.59

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Hoegh LNG Partners LP's weighted average intrinsic value is $14.59, which is approximately 57.9% above the current market price of $9.24.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (42% to 47% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation

Given these factors, we believe Hoegh LNG Partners LP is currently significantly undervalued with the potential for long-term appreciation based on the company's growth trajectory and financial strength.