Godawari Power

At Current Price, Godawari Power Is Trading At A P/E Multiple Of 11 & Looks Attractive

 

GODAWARI Power & Ispat (GPIL) is one of the few small-cap steel companies that have run ahead of the Sensex despite the recent correction in metal stocks. In the past one year, its stock price has appreciated by nearly 60% against a 15% rise in the Sensex during the period.

   Raipur-based GPIL is an integrated steel manufacturer and has a dominant presence in the long-product segment, especially mild steel wires. Besides, the company produces sponge iron, steel billets and sells surplus power from its heat recovery-based power plant.

   The stock is currently on a declining trend in line with the movement in steel stocks. However, the selloff doesn't seem to be directly related to its financial performance, as the company continues to show a strong revenue and profit growth. In the March '10 quarter, the company's revenues were up 37% to Rs 254 crore while net profit jumped two-and-a-half times to Rs 22.6 crore. Going forward, operating margins are expected to improve, as the company plans backward integration through mining of iron ore and coal. It is also venturing into valueadded steel products and is setting-up an iron ore pelletisation plant to convert ore fines into pellets, which can be used as a raw material for making sponge iron as replacement of sizediron ore. The company is currently implementing a 0.6-million-tonne iron ore pelletisation plant at its existing unit and plans to set up a similar unit in a joint venture in Orissa.

   The company is also focusing on efficiency improvement in its manufacturing operations. The company has achieved about a 75% recovery of waste heat from flue gas of sponge iron kiln and utilisation, which is nearly three times the industry average. This has enabled it to produce more power without incurring additional costs and has helped improve operating margins.

   The company plans to set up a 2-mt cement plant at a cost of Rs 628 crore and has acquired 1,235 acres of land in Chhattisgarh. The company may need to raise debt to fund the project, which may stretch its balance sheet in the medium term.

   At its current market price, the stock is trading at a P/E multiple of around 11 and looks attractive. With a low debt on its book, the company can go for further capex without straining its finances. Improving margins in both steel and power segments will add to the earnings in the forthcoming quarters.