In addition, prospects are strong with a tender pipeline of around $200 million. Lincotrade, with its BCA L6 grading and growing commercial fit-out track record, has a historical win rate of between 40 to 50%.
Tee points out that Lincotrade is enjoying a favourable shift in its types of contracts.
She notes that commercial projects represent 89.6% of the order book; 1HFY2026 gross margin expanded 2.8ppt to 15% alongside 58.2% y-o-y revenue growth.
Data-centre projects, which account for around 23% of backlog, carry higher complexity and typically command better margins, adding a margin-accretive dimension to the commercial mix, says Tee.
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"We expect continued mix improvement to sustain gross margins within management's 12-15% medium-term target, with upside should data-centre contribution grow," she adds.
Meanwhile, Lincotrade is set for another earnings stream as it is making available 100 beds for rental at its factory at Tuas. At an estimated rate of $450 per month, Tee figures this business will generate annual rental income of around $540,000. The factory has a carrying value of $13.1 million, but according to Lincotrade, the property has a bank valuation of $19 million.
Tee notes that Lincotrade's 1HFY2026 earnings of $3.9 million has already exceeded $2.6 million chalked up for the whole of FY2025.
She expects further improvements ahead as fixed-cost absorption, going forward, should drive further operating leverage as revenue scales toward management's $100 million target.
Shareholders are set to receive more dividends ahead as the company's management has committed to a minimum 40% payout for FY2026, twice its formal 20% policy floor, with capex moderating after FY2026 to support sustained shareholder returns, says Tee, whose target price of 36.6 cents is derived using a discounted cash flow methodology.
"A record order book, ongoing mix shift towards higher-margin commercial and data centre-related projects, and a meaningful free cash flow inflection from FY2027 as Tuas-related capex concludes and working capital normalises underpin our positive view," says Tee.
Lincotrade shares trade at 34 cents as at 9.19 am, up 4.69%, extending a gain of 59.52% year to date.
