Morgan Stanley on Titan Industries

Morgan Stanley raises the target price of Titan Industries to Rs 2,032 implying 12% upside. They have also raised the earnings estimates by 6%, 5% and 5% for F2010, F2011 and F2012 respectively.

Interestingly, despite fewer wedding dates this quarter, consumer off take in the jewellery business remains strong driven by strong consumer confidence, successful promotion in studded jewellery, lower gold prices compared to Q3F2010 and low base effect. Similarly, the watches division is also demonstrating strong growth due to strong retail off take, new store openings and low base effect of Sonata watches. Titan plans to add around 50,000 sq ft p.a. in its jewellery business in F2011, implying around 15-20% space growth. This will be led by a combination of large and small format stores. Similarly, in the watches division, along with expansion with multi-format stores, the company plans to add around 30-40 new “World of Titan” stores in F2011 translating into 12% space growth in the watches division. Morgan Stanley reiterates `Overweight’ rating on:

1) Good business model (high RoE with strong cash flows).

2) High growth potential due to under penetration levels.

3) Proactive and dynamic management., and

4) good quality financials.

Titan Industries

The consistent growth model of Titan Industries makes it a good long-term buy in the consumer goods space. The stock can be bought on dips

Beta: 0.09
Institutional Holding: 6.57*
Current dividend Yield: 0.88
Current P/E 19.21
Current m-cap: Rs 4,047 cr

THE economic slowdown in India is expected to affect the sales and profitability of the consumer goods companies. However, Titan Industries, with strong branding and wide retail presence, is less likely to be beaten down by the same. Titan Industries is India’s leading manufacturer of watches and jewellery and world’s sixth-largest manufacturer of branded watches. It dominates the domestic watch and the organised jewellery markets with a market share of 60% and 40% respectively.

BUSINESS

The Bangalore-based company designs, manufactures as well as retails watches, jewellery, sunglasses, clocks in Indian and international markets. Watches are sold under four main brands, namely Titan, Sonata, Fastrack, Xylus as well as a range of sub-brands like Raga, Edge, Octane, and many others. The company has a strong retail presence with a network of 260 ‘World of Titan’ showrooms and nearly 750 service centres. In 1995, the company forayed into the organised jewellery market with its brand ‘Tanshiq’. It is now India’s largest and fastest growing jewellery brand with 120 boutiques. The company ventured into mass jewellery through ‘Gold Plus’ brand that sells plain gold jewellery at its 30 showrooms. Titan has diversified into fashion eyewear by launching Fastrack eye-gear, sunglasses as well as prescription eyewear, sold through its 50 stores under Titan Eye+ brand. In 2003, the company ventured into precision engineering and machine building. The division supplies precision components to the avionics and the automotive industries. Titan is the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of dashboard clocks and is a supplier of the same to car manufacturers in Europe and America.

FINANCIALS

Titan Industries’ topline has been growing consistently. It has clocked a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33% in the last five years ending March 2008. Operating profit during the same period grew by a CAGR of 23%, while net profit galloped at the rate of 90% per annum. In the last four quarters, the jewellery business contributed 70% to the company’s total revenues, whereas watches business accounted for around 27%. While the jewellery segment dominated the topline, watch segment accounted for nearly 60% of company’s profit before interest and tax in FY08. In the September ‘08 quarter, the company’s operating margin rose to its highest level, in more than seven quarters, as gold prices breached through a key $600 an ounce.

GROWTH DRIVERS

The company plans to take advantage of its strong brand positioning by launching innovative and theme-based products in both the watches and jewellery segments to drive up sales. So far, it has managed to show a steady growth in its retail expansion in FY09 with the launches of new showrooms for brands Tanishq, World of Titan, and Goldplus in line with its growth targets. The expansion plan for the eyewear segment, Titan Eye+ that right now contributes little to the topline is also on track with an addition of nearly 40 stores this financial year. The company has also signed distribution and marketing deals with Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss for their range of watches and eye wear products.

RISKS / CONCERNS

The company’s considerable size of inventories is leading to a sharp rise in working capital requirement. In the last four financial years, net cash flow from operations declined by a CAGR of 3% against a rise in cash profit by a CAGR of 53%. In the same period, the inventories grew at a CAGR of 98%, which is very significant. While we believe that this rise, in recent quarters, could be to shield against volatile gold prices, it can put pressure on profitability. The company also needs to revive its eyewear and precession-engineering businesses, which contribute less than 3% to its revenues. However, they are still making losses.

VALUATIONS

In the past one year, while the Sensex has lost more than 50% of its m-cap, Titan Industries lost about 35%. On the other hand, since 2003, its m-cap has increased 10 times against a fourfold increase of the Sensex. At the current market price, the P/E is down 60% from its five-year average of 49. Considering that P/E could tick towards the lower side of its last twomonth range, of 17-21, the stock can be bought on dips. The consistent growth model of the company makes it a good long-term buy in the consumer goods space.

TICKING UP

In the last six quarters, Titan saw an average growth of 11% in net sales, 32% rise in operating profit and 35% in net profit

In the last four quarters, the jewellery business contributed 70% to the company’s total revenues, whereas, watches business accounted for around 27%

Plans to launch innovative and theme based products in both jewellery and watches segments

There has been a steady growth in retail expansion of showrooms for all brands in FY09

In last five years Titan’s mcap increased ten times outperforming a four fold increase in Sensex m-cap.

At the current market price, the P/E is down 60% from its five-year average of 49, making it a good pick

Titan showed a steady growth in its retail expansion in FY2009 with the launches of new showrooms for brands Tanishq and World of Titan Titan Eye+ contributes little to the top line is also on track by adding nearly 40 stores in the fiscal

Titan Industries

The consistent growth model of Titan Industries makes it a good long-term buy in the consumer goods space. The stock can be bought on dips

Beta: 0.09
Institutional Holding: 6.57*
Current dividend Yield: 0.88
Current P/E 19.21
Current m-cap: Rs 4,047 cr

THE economic slowdown in India is expected to affect the sales and profitability of the consumer goods companies. However, Titan Industries, with strong branding and wide retail presence, is less likely to be beaten down by the same. Titan Industries is India’s leading manufacturer of watches and jewellery and world’s sixth-largest manufacturer of branded watches. It dominates the domestic watch and the organised jewellery markets with a market share of 60% and 40% respectively.

BUSINESS

The Bangalore-based company designs, manufactures as well as retails watches, jewellery, sunglasses, clocks in Indian and international markets. Watches are sold under four main brands, namely Titan, Sonata, Fastrack, Xylus as well as a range of sub-brands like Raga, Edge, Octane, and many others. The company has a strong retail presence with a network of 260 ‘World of Titan’ showrooms and nearly 750 service centres. In 1995, the company forayed into the organised jewellery market with its brand ‘Tanshiq’. It is now India’s largest and fastest growing jewellery brand with 120 boutiques. The company ventured into mass jewellery through ‘Gold Plus’ brand that sells plain gold jewellery at its 30 showrooms. Titan has diversified into fashion eyewear by launching Fastrack eye-gear, sunglasses as well as prescription eyewear, sold through its 50 stores under Titan Eye+ brand. In 2003, the company ventured into precision engineering and machine building. The division supplies precision components to the avionics and the automotive industries. Titan is the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of dashboard clocks and is a supplier of the same to car manufacturers in Europe and America.

FINANCIALS

Titan Industries’ topline has been growing consistently. It has clocked a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33% in the last five years ending March 2008. Operating profit during the same period grew by a CAGR of 23%, while net profit galloped at the rate of 90% per annum. In the last four quarters, the jewellery business contributed 70% to the company’s total revenues, whereas watches business accounted for around 27%. While the jewellery segment dominated the topline, watch segment accounted for nearly 60% of company’s profit before interest and tax in FY08. In the September ‘08 quarter, the company’s operating margin rose to its highest level, in more than seven quarters, as gold prices breached through a key $600 an ounce.

GROWTH DRIVERS

The company plans to take advantage of its strong brand positioning by launching innovative and theme-based products in both the watches and jewellery segments to drive up sales. So far, it has managed to show a steady growth in its retail expansion in FY09 with the launches of new showrooms for brands Tanishq, World of Titan, and Goldplus in line with its growth targets. The expansion plan for the eyewear segment, Titan Eye+ that right now contributes little to the topline is also on track with an addition of nearly 40 stores this financial year. The company has also signed distribution and marketing deals with Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss for their range of watches and eye wear products.

RISKS / CONCERNS

The company’s considerable size of inventories is leading to a sharp rise in working capital requirement. In the last four financial years, net cash flow from operations declined by a CAGR of 3% against a rise in cash profit by a CAGR of 53%. In the same period, the inventories grew at a CAGR of 98%, which is very significant. While we believe that this rise, in recent quarters, could be to shield against volatile gold prices, it can put pressure on profitability. The company also needs to revive its eyewear and precession-engineering businesses, which contribute less than 3% to its revenues. However, they are still making losses.

VALUATIONS

In the past one year, while the Sensex has lost more than 50% of its m-cap, Titan Industries lost about 35%. On the other hand, since 2003, its m-cap has increased 10 times against a fourfold increase of the Sensex. At the current market price, the P/E is down 60% from its five-year average of 49. Considering that P/E could tick towards the lower side of its last twomonth range, of 17-21, the stock can be bought on dips. The consistent growth model of the company makes it a good long-term buy in the consumer goods space.

TICKING UP

In the last six quarters, Titan saw an average growth of 11% in net sales, 32% rise in operating profit and 35% in net profit

In the last four quarters, the jewellery business contributed 70% to the company’s total revenues, whereas, watches business accounted for around 27%

Plans to launch innovative and theme based products in both jewellery and watches segments

There has been a steady growth in retail expansion of showrooms for all brands in FY09

In last five years Titan’s mcap increased ten times outperforming a four fold increase in Sensex m-cap.

At the current market price, the P/E is down 60% from its five-year average of 49, making it a good pick

Titan showed a steady growth in its retail expansion in FY2009 with the launches of new showrooms for brands Tanishq and World of Titan Titan Eye+ contributes little to the top line is also on track by adding nearly 40 stores in the fiscal

Stock views on Hindustan Dorr-Oliver, Titan Industries, Hexaware Technologies, ITC, Reliance Communications, Pantaloon Retail

Macquarie on Pantaloon Retail

Macquarie maintains its ‘Outperform’ rating on Pantaloon Retail, however, it has cut the earnings estimates and target price to reflect the expectations of slowing same-store sales growth and the credit crunch. Same-store sales (SSS) growth for Indian retailers turned negative for the first time in 4Q08. Slowing growth, the spectre of job losses and the high base effect (from the good old days of 2007) impacted sales. The problem was sharper in the high-end product segment versus items for daily consumption. Pantaloon saw its SSS growth improve from -3.6% and -14% in December 2008 to 4% and 12% in January 2009 for value retail and lifestyle retail respectively. Based on the estimates, Pantaloon’s operations can support growth of around 1-2 million sq feet per year with limited external funding. The supply-demand dynamics have led to a rise in retail rents in the last three years. Macquarie expects this to continue and average rents to fall at least another 25% over the next 12 months. We expect Pantaloon to be able to ride this tough period given its high exposure to value retail and planned capital raising by equity dilution or preferential share allotment.


CLSA on Reliance Communications


CLSA maintains the ‘Buy’ rating on Reliance Communications. There was a good response to GSM launch. In January RCom’s added 5 million users, bringing the total to 66 million subscribers. These additions include CDMA and GSM subscribers, accounting for 33-35% of total industry additions, though RCom is yet to release details, including circle-wise breakdowns to the GSM-industry body. RCom has rolled out GSM service across 14,000 towns, while targeting to up dual-network coverage to 24,000 towns and 600,000 villages. However, these schemes coupled with Idea Cellular’s latest offers in select circles may trigger the industry’s growing share of dual SIM and inactive subscribers. We estimate the company will be eligible for incremental 2G spectrum in 14 circles at 11 million new GSM subscribers. Recently, RCom cut its FY09 capex by 15% to $5.3 billion and guided FY10 at $3.2 billion. The firm has $1.7 billion in investments and a net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64x. CLSA expects a boost to RCom’s valuation with confidence of a successful execution and improving market share in revenue.


HSBC on ITC

HSBC maintains its `Neutral’ rating on ITC with a price target of Rs. 172 per share. Considering the staggered price increase that ITC has been taking this year and that the budget has been delayed from February to June, questions are being raised whether there is one more price increase in the offing. While HSBC estimates a weighted average price increase, including mix effect, 14% has been implemented so far, and the probability of a further increase is small as ITC can manage decent growth in Q1FY10E without price increase, and ITC may not wish to jeopardise volume growth further when it is currently negative. If ITC decides to hike prices it could be implemented in the following order of priority:

• Goldflake Kings is likely to be the first option due to the price inelasticity in this segment.
• Bristol and Flake with price point of Rs 1.9 per stick; since loose buyers already pay Rs 2, trade margins can be cut;
• Goldflake regular though has had high price increases and has strong brand loyalty
• Scissors Regular is a less probable option since plains migration needs to take hold. HSBC derives a fair value of Rs 154 for the high tax and Rs 201 for the low tax scenario. At the target price, the stock will trade at 16.8x FY10E EPS.

Bank of America on Hexaware Technologies

Bank of America retains `Underperform’ rating on Hexaware Technologies. Though results were in line, Bank of America (BoA) was surprised by a very sharp revenue decline guided for 1Q at a negative 16% q-o-q with outlook being the weakest announced so far. This likely reflects high exposure to discretionary spends such as ERP (~29% revenue, -18% q-o-q). Estimates are cut by 5% to factor in a 17% cut in dollar revenues as reflected by weak 1Q revenue guidance and offset by higher margins due to falling rupee. Management highlighted that macro environment has worsened in 4Q; with clients across board rationalising IT spends. BoA expects margins to fall by at least 600 bps during 1Q. Also MTM losses in balance sheet increased to Rs 120 crore from Rs 100 crore q-o-q and are likely to impact CY09/10E profits if a weak rupee persists. Revenue grew 4% q-o-q to $64.4 million in constant currency terms in line with its guidance. Stock rose 40% before results on low valuations. BoA expects 1% earnings growth in CY09E and 8% CAGR over next two years. With 1Q results likely to disappoint and a poor revenue outlook, stock could correct.

EMKAY on Titan Industries

Titan Industries (TIL) is likely to face challenging times ahead on weakening macro economic indicators affecting its watch business, rising gold slowing its jewellery market share gains and its new business initiatives straining cash flows. TIL’s watch business is to report a 1.6% and 5.7% fall in revenues and EBIDTA , espectively in FY10E, and a revival thereafter. Emkay believes that it will be difficult for TIL’s jewellery division to garner market share at a similar pace as in the past, owing to rising gold and falling demand (3.6% in FY11E against 2.9% in FY08). The new business initiatives (precision engineering and eyewear) are still in investment phase, thereby denting TIL’s cash flows and EBITDA. Emkay expects moderation in growth with net revenue, EBITDA and adjusted net profit of TIL to grow at a CAGR of 16.0%, 12.8% & 7.7%, respectively during FY08-11E and an intermediate decline in FY10E. The above valuations are rich especially in the wake of moderation of growth and declining return ratios. We recommend a `Sell’ with a price target of Rs 671.

IL&FS Investsmart on Hindustan Dorr-Oliver

IL&FS Investsmart initiates coverage on Hindustan Dorr-Oliver with a ‘Buy’ rating, with a 15-month price target of Rs 55, providing an upside of 104%. HDO has made rapid strides in its core EPC business, engineering a ~5.4x growth in less then four years with significant contribution from the mineral beneficiation and environmental infrastructure business. However, the best is yet to come for HDO as the company is well positioned and has expertise to get into the bigger league with higher ticket contracts. The current order backlog of Rs 700 crore is 2.3xFY08 billings. Based on the pipeline bids, enquiries, and the capex cycle, order accretion is to gain momentum in the next few quarters and grow at 17% CAGR for the next two years. Traction is expected in the award of big ticket contracts in the next few quarters. IL&FS expects higher demand for its proprietary industrial products which is likely to prop the blended margin going forward with ~14% revenue contribution by FY10. HDO has all the characteristics to graduate to the next league and therefore the concerns reflected in the stock price are unwarranted; hence there is a good investment opportunity.

Srock views on MTNL, Titan Industries, SIEMENS, Yes Bank, Colgate Palmolive, GREAT Offshore

HSBC on COLGATE PALMOLIVE

HSBC has initiated an ‘overweight’ rating on Colgate-Palmolive with a potential return of 25.8%. The oral care category in India has a penetration rate of 78% and a per-capita usage of toothpaste, which is half that of China. Increased usage and penetration, along with a shift from toothpowder to toothpaste, are likely to drive volume growth of 8-9% for the next several years. Colgate is the undisputed market leader in all the sub-categories of oral care and has a diversified product portfolio covering all price points and an excellent distribution network. Colgate is poised for steady growth. It has increased gross margins by changing its raw material mix, reducing complexity, and increasing in-sourcing with minimal price increases, protecting volume growth. HSBC values Colgate on a price-earnings (P/E) and a direct cash flow (DCF) basis. The P/E valuation, at 18x FY10E earnings per share (EPS), comes to Rs 424. The target price of Rs 470 is an average of the two. Colgate is currently trading at a 12-month forward P/E of 17.1x, the lowest forward P/E in three-and-a-half years.


DEUTSCHE BANK on YES BANK

DEUTSCHE Bank believes that Yes Bank’s recent severe underperformance relative to the market and the banking index has factored in most of the concerns about its asset quality, margins and fee income growth and has upgraded the stock to ‘hold’. However, it has reduced the target price to Rs 55 and cut earnings by 11-17% for FY09-11. The major concerns are: asset quality due to large exposure to mid-corporate group and commercial real estate; margins due to weak funding franchise; and a sharp slowdown in non-interest income growth due to relatively high dependence on capital market-linked activities. The target price of Rs 55 is based on a single-stage Gordon growth model with a price-to-book value (P/BV) of 1.0x, arrived by using a blended return on equity (RoE) of 15.5%. The key upside risk to Deutsche Bank’s hypothesis is a sharp recovery in loan growth accompanied by a rise in margins. The key downside risks are higher-than-expected deterioration in asset quality and stagnation of branch network due to unavailability of branch licenses, which can pose a challenge for Yes Bank.


JP MORGAN on SIEMENS

SIEMENS reported a standalone net profit of Rs 225 crore in Q4, substantially below the estimate of Rs 360 crore. Operating profit margin was down 300 basis points (bps) year-on-year (y-o-y) to 12.5%. Markto-market (MTM) losses on short positions in foreign exchange (forex) derivatives contracts, in a quarter where the rupee depreciated 10% visà-vis the dollar, can be responsible for a large part of the margin decline. With the underlying hedged being of longer maturity, JP Morgan can expect gains on the underlying in coming quarters. The performance of the company’s subsidiaries is a drag on results: Siemens’ FY08 consolidated revenue of Rs 9,680 crore was in line with estimates, while its profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 470 crore was 30% below full-year estimates. The company’s 100%-owned principal subsidiary, SISL, performed poorly in FY08. Siemens’ standalone revenue growth from continuing operations is higher at 15%, but power (which contributes 49% to the topline), posted a growth of 3.2% y-o-y. There has been little incremental visibility in the power segment, as the Qatar order has neared completion. All other segments have shown strong revenue growth.

JM FINANCIAL on TITAN INDUSTRIES


TITAN benefits from the presence of extremely strong brands in largely unorganised segments. The domestic jewellery market is pegged at Rs 75,000 crore, less than 5% of which is ‘branded’ and Titan controls 65% thereof. With extremely low penetration level, there is huge scope for the ‘democratisation of luxury’ in India. With Titan now partially linking jewellery-making charges to gold value, profitability may not be so susceptible to the movement in gold prices, going forward. In the watches segment, JM has projected a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% in sales between FY08 and FY11E. Viewed in the context of India being an attractive retail market (more so in the luxury segment, in which India is still at the nascent stage), Titan emerges superior among retail players in terms of profitability, as well as return on capital employed (30%-plus). Also, y-o-y generation of free cash flow is a source of distinct advantage for Titan. In light of a slowing economy where future growth potential is a key concern, the P/E to growth (PEG) method of valuation appropriately recognises future growth rate and adjusts the P/E multiple accordingly.


CITIGROUP on GREAT OFFSHORE

GREAT Offshore has announced a combined contract for two of its assets — Malaviya Thirty Three (a heavy lift vessel) and Gal Ross Sea (an anchor handling tug) — for a total of $22 million for one year in the Khafji oilfields of Saudi Aramco. The assets have been contracted out at a combined day rate of $63,000. Although the exact day-rate split between the two assets is not known, they estimate the heavy lift vessel to fetch ~ $55,000. This contract is a key positive, indicating strength in the offshore services segment, as opposed to the downtrend witnessed in segments such as dry bulk. Citigroup retains a ‘buy’ rating on the stock, given a relatively stable business profile (75% of revenues from ONGC) and good earnings visibility (average contract durations ~2-2.5 years), making it less exposed to a cyclical downturn in the offshore cycle. Though spot rates have declined 10- 15%, the company has only five of its 41 vessels operating on spot. Q3 should see sequential growth in revenues and profits on account of commencement of new contracts, as well as higher dry-docking expenses in Q2.


BNP PARIBAS on MTNL

BNP Paribas initiates coverage on Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) with a ‘reduce’ rating and target price of Rs 55, based on cash per share of Rs 39 and a core business valuation of Rs 16 at 2.5x FY09 EBITDA. Historically, MTNL traded close to its book value, but the valuation is now converging towards its cash per share as its return on equity (RoE) has declined to 3.3%, well below its cost of capital. Moreover, one-fourth of its book value is amount recoverable from the Department of Telecom (DoT), which is unconfirmed and outstanding for several years. Cash per share will dip to Rs 39 from Rs 61. BNP believes MTNL faces significant revenue risk as its wire-line segment, which contributes 70% of its revenue, will continue to decline due to subscriber loss and reduction in tariffs. MTNL will find it extremely difficult to protect its wireless market share in competition with more efficient private operators, which are reducing tariffs, leveraging scale economies, coupled with superior customer service.

Stock Views on State Bank of India, Lanco Infra, Titan Industries

MOTILAL Oswal on SBI

MOTILAL Oswal maintains ‘buy’ rating on State Bank of India (SBI). The bank’s rural and agri-business unit comprises: (1) all the business done at its rural and semi-urban branches; and (2) agriculture business done at any branch. SBI has 7,100 branches in rural and semi-urban areas which account for ~70% of its total branch network strength. About 50% of its employees work in the agri-rural business (ARB) division. The bank’s ARB loan book is currently more than Rs 1 trillion; this accounts for ~23% of SBI’s total loan book and ~28% of its domestic loan book. About 45% of these are farm loans. ARB deposits stand at ~Rs 1.7 trillion and account for ~30% of SBI’s deposits. SBI’s ARB loan and deposits account for 21-22% of the industry, while its ARB branch network accounts for 13% of the industry. SBI is consistently gaining market share in this segment. Motilal expects the bank to report consolidated earnings per share (EPS) of Rs 155 in FY09E and Rs 187 in FY10E. Consolidated book value (BV) will be Rs 1,110 in FY09E and Rs 1,282 in FY10E. Return on assets (RoA) and return on equity (RoE) are expected to be ~1% and 15-16%, respectively, over the next two years. Adjusted for value of SBI Life at Rs 205/share, the stock trades at 1x FY10E consolidated BV.

UBS Investment on Lanco Infratech

UBS Investment has upgraded its rating on Lanco Infratech to ‘buy’, but has reduced the target price by 28% to Rs 250. It has also cut its EPS estimates by 10%/20%/19% to Rs 19/22.4/33.3 for FY09/10/11E to reflect a slowdown in project execution. It has factored in a 10% discount to power, EPC (engineering, procurement & construction) and infrastructure valuations. The contributions to value are from power (44%), EPC (40%) and real estate (15%). The stock is trading at 9.5x FY09E EPS, which is a good buying opportunity. The key risks are fuel availability, execution and a further slowdown in the real estate sector.

JP Morgan on Titan Industries

JP MORGAN maintains ‘overweight’ rating on Titan Industries with a March ’09 target price of Rs 1,475 based on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 23x. The company has seen a revival in demand for its watches and jewellery, post-June ’08. It continues to maintain its previous guidance of 33% growth in revenue to Rs 4,000 crore and similar profit growth for FY09. Specialty and lifestyle retailing will remain the company’s core focus as there are many organic growth opportunities in a nascent market like India. Titan aims to add 750 stores over the next five years, but it has no immediate plans to expand its international business. Several initiatives in the jewellery and watch businesses should help to sustain good growth over the next 1-2 years. Goldplus, Golden Harvest Scheme and innovative collections such as ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ should support double-digit volume growth in the jewellery business. The company has planned exciting new launches in the watch segment, such as a new children’s brand and automatic watches, over the next 6-9 months. Prospects of the eyewear business look encouraging and the company plans to add 60 stores in the next one year and 200 stores over the next three years. It is targeting sales growth of 50% through its own brands to improve margins. JP Morgan feels Titan is the best proxy for attractive growth opportunities in the specialty retail space.