Stock views on Nestle, Sun Pharma, Glaxo smithkline Pharmaceuticals, Castrol, BOC India, Godrej Consumer Products, Hindustan Unilever, Hero Honda

CADILA HEALTHCARE


Cadila Healthcare, one of the five largest drug makers in India, may have been the top performer (64.51%) during the bear run, but analysts are cautious on this low volume stock at current market valuation. They believe though the stock is a safe bet in the current environment, and has good domestic business, technically it looks weak below Rs 225.


HERO HONDA MOTORS


In the last nine months, two-wheeler maker Hero Honda has outperformed market expectations with volume growth of 11.1% year-on-year, against a flat growth of 1.9% for the rest of the two wheeler industry. The key reason for the over-achievement has been the company’s strong rural franchise, lower input costs, and lower discount offerings. In fact, the share of volumes from rural India has gone up from 40% a year ago to more than 50% at present. Though concerns remain over — less correlation to broader markets, falling interest rates and raw material cost — a major section of brokers are bullish on the scrip. What makes the stock attractive is the company’s significantly reduced dependence on financing with only 15% of the vehicles sold on finance. This protects the company against the current tight credit cycle.


HINDUSTAN UNILEVER


India’s leading fast moving consumer goods company, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) is expected to benefit from the sharp drop in commodity prices this year. HUL has been formidable in this space in the last nine months. The company, in fact, recorded its fastest growth in 10 years, growing volumes despite aggressive price increases. Currently, rural areas contribute 45% of HUL’s sales, which analysts feel will remain a strong growth driver in FY10. Although the stock is a defensive bet and has limited upside, analysts are positive on the business. The operating margin for the company is expected to improve in the quarters ahead as the benefits of lower material prices kick in. Even though the pace is expected to decelerate, HUL’s revenue will grow 15.6% y-o-y in the current financial year.


GODREJ CONSUMER PRODUCTS


Analysts count on Godrej Consumer Products to ride on its strong brand image in new markets following its acquisition of five companies in the hair care and personal care space. The sharp fall in palm oil prices, a key raw material in soap manufacturing, coupled with price hikes at the start of the year, believe analysts, will lead to margin expansion. A strong balance sheet is expected to enable organic as well as inorganic growth. The stock has low volumes, but looks technically strong.


BOC INDIA

BOC India, the arm of BOC Group, the second largest industrial gases company in the world, has recently won a 15-year gas supply contract from SAIL. The company plans to invest around Rs 500 crore in a new air separation plant and ancillary equipment to meet the growing demand for liquid products in eastern India. The stock, one of the star performers during last year, lies low on the wish list of analysts. Falling global demand of the product coupled with low volumes doesn’t make it a winning stock. Further, it looks technically weak and we will suggest investors to sell at every rally.


CASTROL INDIA


One of the best dividend paying stock, Castrol India has good numbers to boast of due to high volumes and improved price realisations. Analysts are neutral on this oil lubricant firm, though it can turn out to be a dark horse in 2009. The company’s sound business model and stable financials make it an attractive long term investment. Strong brand equity of Castrol products has enabled it to churn out good cash flows year after year. Even amid a decline in the automobile sector, analysts say the company’s lubricants will have a large potential market to tap.



GLAXOSMITHKLINE PHARMACEUTICALS


Analysts have a favourable recommendation for Glaxo smithkline Pharmaceuticals, which is one of the fastest growing players in this segment over the past few years. Better cost-effectiveness over the years have reflected in the company’s improved net profit margins. The margins have increased from 16.5% in 2003 to 25.3% in 2007. The pharma company has clocked a 10% growth in revenues at Rs 473.9 crore for the September 2008 quarter, as compared with Rs 428.7 crore in the previous corresponding quarter. Aggressive product launches this year, sitting on huge cash amount on books, strong domestic presence and attractive valuations makes it a company to watch out for.



SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES


Sun Pharma has one of the low-risk business models among the Indian peers with a strong presence in central nervous system, pain management, ophthalmology, cardiovascular and respiratory segments. It is one of the fastest-growing companies in the domestic pharmaceutical market. Having facilities approved by the United States Food and Drug Agency for controlled substances in regulated markets, analysts feel the company has an edge in the niche controlled substances market. The high margin, strong earnings growth, low risk revenue model and strong balance sheet make it a good defensive bet. With no significant forex hedges, Sun is likely to reap major benefits of the sharp depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar.



NESTLE INDIA


Changing consumer preferences from unpacked/ unbranded foods to branded packaged foods is expected to provide the $70 bn Indian food processing industry a robust growth opportunity. According to analysts, Nestle, with its strong presence in milk and milk-based products, beverages, prepared dishes, chocolates and confectionery and baby foods segment, is the best play as it garners more than 90% of its revenues from domestic business. Nestle has a strong product portfolio with some of the best-known brands globally, such as Nescafe, Maggi, KitKat, Polo and Milo, which are amongst the top 50 brands in India. The company will also benefit from the sharp drop in commodity prices. The operating margin of the company is expected to improve in FY10 as benefits of lower raw material prices set in.