Indian stock market and companies daily report (February 21, 2012, Tuesday)

The domestic markets are expected to open flat or marginally in green following higher closing across most of the western markets. Asian stock markets are trading flat as investors remain cautions and wait for European finance ministers in Brussels to approve a crucial second bailout for Greece.

The US markets traded choppily on Friday (closed on Monday) as the economic data releases painted a mixed picture with a report from the Conference Board showing that its index of leading economic indicators increased for the fourth consecutive month in January, while another report from the Labor Department showing only a modest increase in consumer prices in the month of January. Although investors seemed reluctant to make any significant moves going into the long weekend, optimism that European finance ministers will approve a new bailout package for Greece helped to keep traders from doing much profit taking. Meanwhile Indian shares rebounded on Friday after some consolidation the day before, with firm global cues supporting the liquidity-driven rally.

Markets Today

The trend deciding level for the day is 18,315/5,572 levels. If NIFTY trades above this level during the first half-an-hour of trade then we may witness a further rally up to 18,397 – 18,504/5,599 – 5,634 levels. However, if NIFTY trades below 18,315/5,572 levels for the first half-an-hour of trade then it may correct up to 18,208 – 18,126/5,537 – 5,511 levels.

Cement companies raise prices

Cement companies have raised prices in the northern and western regions in the range of Rs.7 to Rs.10 per bag with effect from February 17, 2011. The price hike follows the correction in the region during January due to the severe winter season, which affected construction activities. We believe the recent price hike is an effort by cement manufacturers to pass on the hike in operating costs. We are currently Neutral on the cement sector, as we believe valuations are significantly ahead of the cycle, but we maintain our Buy recommendation on JK Lakshmi Cement due to its attractive valuations, with a target price of Rs.79.

NMDC cuts ore prices; lowers volume guidance

NMDC has cut prices of iron ore fines and lumps by 20% and 3%, respectively, for 4QFY2012 on the back of the decline in global iron prices, the recent rupee appreciation and increased export duty on iron ore. The price cut by NMDC is higher than our expectations given the shortage of iron ore in the domestic markets.

NMDC has also lowered its sales volume guidance for FY2012 and FY2013. The company now expects sales volumes of 27mn tonnes and 30mn tonnes (earlier 30 mn tonnes and 33mn tonnes) for FY2012 and FY2013, respectively. Although the company has ~5mn tonnes of iron ore inventory at its mine pit-heads, however it faces logistical constraints to increase off take due to breakdown in slurry pipeline, lower availability of railway rakes and stricter regulations in transportation of iron ore in Karnataka. Considering the company’s revised sales volumes guidance, we lower our 4QFY2012 and FY2013 realization and sales volume estimates.

Although NMDC has a strong balance sheet, presence in sellers market (iron ore), low cost of production, high-grade mines and long mine life, we now expect sales volumes to witness a CAGR of only 5.2% over FY2011-2013. On account of lower volume growth and lower realization, NMDC’s bottom line is expected to grow by only 4.0% yoy during FY2013. Further, given the 23% rise in the stock price since January 1, 2012, we recommend Neutral on the stock.

Result Review – 4QCY2011

CRISIL announced its 4QCY2011 numbers. Net sales increased by 26.6% yoy to Rs.225cr (Rs.177cr) led by strong growth in the research segment. Research segments revenue increased by 34.0% yoy while the rating segment and advisory segments revenue increased by 14.1% and 7.0% respectively. EBITDA increased by 15.2% yoy to Rs.80cr (Rs.69cr) due to higher revenue. EBITDA margin declined by 352bps yoy to 35.6% (39.1%). PAT increased by 10.4% yoy to Rs.56cr (Rs.51cr) while margin declined by 366bps yoy to 24.8% (28.5%) almost in line with EBITDA margin contraction. We will be coming out with a detailed report post management interaction. We continue to maintain an Neutral rating on the stock.

Economic and Political News
- Government may let foreign individuals directly buy corporate debt
- Railways stares at a Rs.2lakh cr crunch
- Bankers agree to subscribe to Air India’s Rs.7,400cr bond issue

Corporate News
- Ashok Leyland's Optare eyes small bus market
- Frozen bank accounts led to disruptions: Kingfisher
- Essar Oil plans to raise Rs.3,000cr in next 15 months

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Indian stock market and companies daily report (February 13, 2012, Monday)

The domestic markets are expected to edge higher following positive opening across most of the Asian markets. Domestic indices fell modestly on Friday, as data showing a slowdown in December IIP numbers prompted investors to book some profits after recent sharp gains.

Globally, cues remained mixed. European markets slid moderately on Friday as apprehensions remained over the second bailout package for Greece. Eurozone finance ministers had deferred the approval of a second bailout package for Greece (€130bn), demanding Greece’s acceptance over a new set of austerity measures. U.S. bourses also ended on a negative note, tracing concerns stemming from the Eurozone.

On the domestic front, consistent shrinkage in manufacturing output emphasizes the need to trim rates by RBI. However, domestic bourses seemed to have marked down macroeconomic concerns and have firmed up considerably. Nonetheless, one cannot rule out the pessimism surrounding the Eurozone, which can reverse market directions. Markets will closely trace the developments in the domestic as well global markets.

Markets Today

The trend deciding level for the day is 17,755 / 5,383 levels. If NIFTY trades above this level during the first half-an-hour of trade then we may witness a further rally up to 17,883 – 18,018 / 5,426 – 5,470 levels. However, if NIFTY trades below 17,755 / 5,383 levels for the first half-an-hour of trade then it may correct up to 17,621 – 17,492 / 5,339 – 5,297 levels.

Industrial production for December dips to 1.8%

Industrial production (IIP) growth slipped again, growing by weak 1.8% for December, after the strong rebound witnessed in November (growth of 5.9% compared to negative 4.7% growth for October). IIP index growth of 1.8% was the second slowest, after the contraction witnessed in October 2011, in more than two years. IIP growth was also below the median expectation of Bloomberg’s survey of economists (2.9%). The 12-month rolling industrial production growth, which has been on a declining trend since November 2010 (9.9%), slipped further to 4.7%.

The dip in IIP can mostly be attributed to slow growth in the manufacturing sector (growth of 1.8% compared to 6.6% in November 2011 and 8.7% in December 2010), which accounts for ~75% of the overall industrial production. In terms of industries, 15 of the 22 industry groups in the manufacturing sector registered positive growth during December. The slowdown in mining persisted with a contraction of 3.7% for December (5th consecutive month of contraction). Growth in electricity production continued to be healthy, growing by 9.1% in December.

As per use-based data, capital goods production data continued to be volatile, declining by steep 16.5%. Production of intermediate goods contracted by 2.8% in December, however growth in consumer goods and consumer durables remained strong, growing by 10.0% and 13.4%, respectively.

3QFY2012 - Result Reviews

DLF

DLF announced its 3QFY2012 numbers. The company’s net sales declined by 18.0% yoy and 19.7% qoq to Rs.2,034cr, coming in well below our estimate of Rs.2,719cr. EBITDA came in at Rs.823cr, down 30.2% yoy, on the back of lower revenue and OPM margin compression. OPM contracted by 706bp yoy to 40.4%, above our estimate of 43.7%. PAT declined by 44.6% yoy to Rs.258cr, which was well below our estimate of Rs.414cr, despite a sharp increase in other income, which increased by 217% yoy to Rs.362cr (Rs.114cr). The decline in PAT was largely due lower revenue, OPM contraction and higher interest cost during the quarter, which increased by 44.8% yoy to Rs.620cr in 3QFY2012. We continue to maintain our Neutral recommendation on the stock. We may revise our estimates and target price post management’s concall.

JSW Steel

JSW Steel reported higher-than-expected consolidated adjusted PAT during 3QFY2012. However, the company reported net loss of Rs.48cr in 3QFY2012 on account of exceptional losses. The company had reported better-than-expected standalone numbers for 3QFY2012 on January 20, 2012. Consolidated net sales grew by 40.9% yoy to Rs.8,405cr (slightly below our estimate of Rs.8,843cr). Net sales growth was driven by increases in steel volumes (+20.0% yoy to 1.9mn tonnes) and realization (+18.2% yoy to Rs.43,401/tonne). Consolidated EBITDA increased by 29.6% yoy to Rs.1,317cr. The company reported exceptional items related to forex loss of Rs.504cr and loss of Rs.55cr from JSW Ispat (associate company) during the quarter. Consequently, the company reported net loss of Rs.48cr in 3QFY2012, compared to net profit of Rs.292cr in 3QFY2011. However, adjusted net profit, excluding exceptional items, increased by 75.1% yoy to Rs.511cr (higher than our estimate of Rs.279cr). We remain Neutral on the stock.

CCCL

Consolidated Construction Consortium (CCCL) posted disappointing set of numbers for 3QFY2012, as expected. On the top line front the company posted 10.0% yoy decline to Rs.446.5cr, lower than our estimate of Rs.535.9cr. On the EBITDAM front, CCCL continued its dismal performance and registered a dip of 510bp yoy to 4.6%, which was higher than our estimate of 3.2%. Interest cost came in at Rs.18.3cr a yoy/qoq jump of 45.1%/6.4% respectively, and in line with our estimate of Rs.18.6cr. Owing to poor show at revenue and margin level, along with interest burden, the bottom line posted a loss of Rs.3.2cr in 3QFY2012 vs. profit of Rs.16.7cr in 3QFY2011 and against our estimate of loss of Rs.5.2cr. We maintain neutral view on the stock.

3QFY2012 - Result Previews

Coal India

Coal India is slated to report its 3QFY2012 results. We expect net sales to increase by 39.2% yoy to Rs.17,664cr, mainly on account of coal price increase taken during February 2011. However, EBITDA margin is expected to contract by 264bp yoy to 24.5% in 3QFY2012 on account of higher employee cost provision. Net profit is expected to increase by 39.0% yoy to Rs.3,650cr. We have a Neutral view on the stock.

State Bank of India

State Bank of India is scheduled to announce its 3QFY2012 results. We expect the bank to report healthy NII growth of 19.3% on a yoy basis (up 3.6% on a qoq basis). Non-interest income growth is expected to be moderate at 14.4% yoy. Operating income of the bank is expected to grow by healthy 18.0% yoy to Rs.14,584cr. Provisioning expenses are expected to increase substantially by 63.4% yoy, considering the cyclical headwinds to asset quality. Hence, net profit growth is expected to be moderate at 10.1% yoy to Rs.3,113cr. We currently have an Accumulate rating on the stock with a target price of Rs.2,364

Sun Pharmaceuticals

For 3QFY2012, Sun Pharma is likely to report 18.7% yoy growth on the sales front, mainly on the back of integration of Taro, which is expected to be the growth driver of export formulation sales. On the domestic front, Indian formulation sales are expected to report a muted performance. Despite strong top-line growth on account of the integration, operating profit margin is expected to expand by 690bp yoy, with margin likely to be around 34.4%. Net profit is expected to register growth of 21.4% yoy during the quarter. We recommend Neutral on the stock.

SAIL

SAIL is expected to announce its 3QFY2012 results. We expect the company’s top line to grow by 9.8% yoy to Rs.12,239cr, mainly on account of higher realization. However, EBITDA margin is expected to decline by 211bp yoy to 14.0% on account of higher input costs. The bottom line is expected to decline by 2.2% yoy to Rs.1,083cr. We maintain our Neutral rating on the stock.

Cipla

For 3QFY2012, Cipla is expected to post net sales growth of 10.7% yoy to Rs.1,662cr, driven by the domestic and exports performance. On the operating front, OPM (excluding technical know-how fees) is expected to come in at 21.8%, registering an expansion of 410bp yoy. Further, net profit is expected to increase by 26.8% yoy to Rs.295cr. We recommend Neutral on the stock.

Motherson Sumi Systems

Motherson Sumi Systems is scheduled to announce its 3QFY2012 results today. On a consolidated basis, we expect the company to report a healthy 13% yoy growth in revenues to Rs.2,343cr for the quarter. On the operating front, the company is expected to report a 282bp yoy contraction in margins to 8.6%. As a result, the net profit is expected to decline by 26% yoy to Rs.79cr. The stock rating is under review.

Areva T&D – 4QCY2011

For 4QCY2011, Areva T&D is expected to post subdued top-line growth of 4.2% yoy to Rs.1,383cr, mainly on account of lower volumes, pricing pressures and execution slowdown. Consequently, EBITDA margin is expected to compress by ~443bp yoy to 9.0%, although we expect a sequential improvement of ~100bp due to slight easing of pricing pressures. Led by muted growth and dip in margin, the company’s PAT is expected to decline by 35.5% yoy to Rs.56.8cr. At the CMP, the stock is trading at 25.9x and 21.9x CY2011E and CY2012E EPS, respectively. We remain Neutral on the stock.

CESC

CESC is expected to announce its 3QFY2012 results. The company is expected to register 25.6% yoy growth in its standalone top line to Rs.1,157cr, aided by higher sales volume and better realization. OPM is expected to be flat at 27.6%, while net profit is expected to increase by 33.9% yoy to Rs.147cr during 3QFY2012. We maintain our Buy rating on the stock with a target price of Rs.304.

Economic and Political News
- Exports up 10%, imports by 20% in January 2012: Commerce secretary
- Direct tax collection to miss Budget estimate
- Government may enhance tax deduction for housing loan in Budget

Corporate News
- Govt. notifies rules for competitive bidding for coal blocks
- Punjab’s industry strongly objects to 55% hike in power tariff
- Reliance Industries shuts distillation unit at Jamnagar facility for 3 weeks
- Tata Motors hikes prices by up to Rs 12,000; leaves Nano, Aria

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Share Market Update on Central Bank of India for 1QFY2012

Share Market Update on Central Bank of India for 1QFY2012 with a Neutral recommendation.

For 1QFY2012, Central Bank of India posted a 16.6% yoy decline in its net profit primarily due to higher provisions. However, results were above our estimates on lower-than-estimated operating expenses. A sharp sequential dip in NIM and high slippages despite the pending switchover to system-based NPA platform were the key highlights of the results. We maintain our Neutral view on the stock.

NIM dips on lower yield on investments; slippages remain elevated: The bank’s business momentum slowed during the usually lean quarter. Advances declined by 2.8% qoq (up 17.2% yoy) and deposits increased by 3.6% qoq (up 20.3% yoy). CASA deposits growth moderated to 14.7% yoy, resulting in a 259bp qoq decline in CASA ratio to 32.6%. Bulk deposits and CDs constituted a relatively higher ~33% of total deposits. The reduction in CASA ratio and the higher interest rate environment resulted in a sharp 72bp qoq rise in cost of deposits to 6.8%. The yield on advances went up by 77bp qoq to 11.4%. Reported NIM declined sharply by 48bp qoq to 3.0% primarily due to fall in yield on investments (fall of 73bp qoq). The sequential decline in NIM was exacerbated by the benefit of interest on income tax refund of ~`130cr in 4QFY2011. Overall asset quality of the bank deteriorated during the quarter, with annualised slippage ratio remaining elevated at 1.8% (1.1% in 1QFY2011) and net NPAs rising by 27.7% qoq. Slippages remained elevated at 1.8% as compared to 1.1% in 1QFY2011. Provision coverage ratio including technical write-offs declined to 65.2% from 67.6% in 4QFY2011. The bank is yet to switchover to the system-based NPA recognition platform, which could result in a substantial rise in slippages given the bank’s rural branches (37%) and a relatively large agri (16%) portfolio.

Outlook and valuation: At the CMP, the stock is trading at cheap valuations of 0.8x FY2013E ABV compared to its trading range of 0.5–1.5x with a median of 1.1x since listing in 2007. However, due to near-term asset-quality concerns because of system-based NPA recognition, we remain Neutral on the stock.

Share Market Update on Bhushan Steel for 1QFY2012

Share Market Update on Bhushan Steel for 1QFY2012 with a Neutral recommendation.

Strong top-line growth: During 1QFY2012, Bhushan Steel’s (BSL) net sales grew by 62.6% yoy to `2,232cr mainly on account of higher volumes of flat products. Flat products sales volumes grew by 80.2% yoy to 388,790 tonnes, while long product sales volumes grew by 7.6% yoy to 100,664 tonnes in 1QFY2012. Long product average realisation increased by 18.2% yoy to `42,915/tonne, while flat product average realisation decreased by 3.2% yoy to `49,294/tonne.

Depreciation and interest costs mute net profit growth: During 1QFY2012, EBITDA increased by 62.1% yoy to `661cr, representing EBITDA margin of 29.6%, compared to 29.7% in 1QFY2011. EBITDA/tonne increased to `13,505 (US$300) in 1QFY2012, compared to `13,186 (US$293) in 1QFY2011. Depreciation expense increased by 182.4% yoy to `151cr due to increased capacity, while interest expense increased by 173.8% yoy to `216cr because of higher debt. A sharp increase in depreciation and interest costs resulted in net profit growth of only 2.0% yoy (despite 62.1% growth in EBITDA) to `210cr.

Outlook and valuation: At the CMP, the stock is trading at 8.1x FY2012E and 7.1x FY2013E EV/EBITDA, a significant premium over its peers. Although we expect sales volume growth of 24.8% over FY2011–15E, we believe it is too early to play the volume growth story of BSL as strong volume growth is expected only post FY2013. Further, although BSL uses a combination of BF-EAF technology to produce steel, rising prices of iron ore and coal will affect its margins. Moreover, BSL’s debt-equity ratio remains high. Further, we believe the increase in the stock price in the past three months fairly discounts the growth prospects of BSL. Hence, we maintain our Neutral view on the stock.

Share Market Result Update on Sarda Energy and Minerals for 1QFY2012

ShareMarket Result Update on Sarda Energy and Minerals for 1QFY2012 with a Buy recommendation and a Target Price of `259 (12 months).

For 1QFY2012, Sarda Energy and Minerals (SEML) reported net sales growth of 17.2% yoy to `254cr. However, adjusted net profit declined by 48.3% yoy to `14cr due to higher costs. We maintain our Buy rating on the stock.

Ferro alloy segment drags SEML’s 1QFY2012 profitability: During 1QFY2012, SEML’s net sales grew by 17.2% yoy to `254cr due to higher realisation in the steel segment coupled with higher sales volume of billets, ingots and power. Blended steel realisation grew by 96.1% yoy to `33,036/tonne on account of improved product mix. EBITDA margin declined substantially by 857bp yoy to 14.4% mainly on account of higher raw-material costs. Thus, EBITDA declined by 26.6% yoy to `37cr. EBIT of the ferro alloys segment declined by 73.0% yoy to `7cr on account of lower realisation coupled with higher prices of key inputs. Interest costs for the quarter increased by 112.6% yoy to `6cr, owing to which adjusted net profit declined by 48.3% yoy to `14cr.

Outlook and valuation: We continue to believe that SEML is well poised to benefit from a) backward integration into coal and iron ore, b) commercial production of pellets and c) increased power and ferro alloy production. Moreover, firm sponge iron and billet prices should lead to higher capacity utilisation in FY2012 and FY2013, thereby leading to higher sales volumes. A key catalyst for the stock would be restarting of its iron ore operations at Rajnandgaon. We recommend Buy with a target price of `259, valuing the stock at 5.5x FY2013E EV/EBITDA.