Stock views on BPCL, Bharti Airtel, Glenmark Pharma

Indiabulls Securities on BPCL, target of Rs 526

"With crude oil prices hovering at around $ 70 per barrel levels, we expect the under-recoveries for PDS kerosene and domestic LPG to escalate further. However, the recent price hike in petrol and diesel prices should provide some respite to the Company. At its current market price the stock trades at a forward P/E of 8.6x and 8.3x for FY10E and FY11E, respectively. We have revised our estimates to consider the recent developments in the sector. Based on our valuation, we have arrived at a target fair value of Rs 526, which provides an upside potential of 15.9% from the CMP. Thus, we upgrade our rating for the stock to Buy," says Indiabulls Securities' research report.

IIFL on Bharti Airtel, target of Rs 866

"In our view, the Bharti–MTN deal is driven more by strategic considerations than by synergies. In a world where giants such as Apple and Google are invading the telco space, size will be key. Nevertheless, an analysis of savings / synergy opportunities in the proposed Bharti–MTN deal suggests that Bharti can have a gain of almost USD 3 billion. Our key assumptions are based on measures attributable to Bharti’s involvement, over and above MTN’s own cost reduction measures. These include estimates of opex and capex savings in MTN and capex savings in Bharti. We consider opex savings in Bharti attributable to this deal unlikely. The proposed deal (as the terms stand now) is not significantly earnings dilutive for Bharti even without considering synergies. Hence, we are in no hurry to reduce our TP (Rs 866); we retain 'BUY', " says IIFL's research report.

KRChoksey on Glenmark Pharma; target of Rs 252

"The topline of the company has shown a decline of 10% y-o-y to Rs 491.1 crore whereas on q-o-q basis the company reported a decline of 11%. The fall in sales was due to absence of licensing income during the quarter as compared to Rs 61.0 crore in the corresponding pervious period. Excluding licensing income, the base business declined by 4%. Dip in the base business is due to factors like fewer ANDA approval, destocking in the regions like Latin America & Russia, currency impact in Latin America & Russia and price erosion of Glyptal. Going forward, we expect the revenues to improve on back of improved performance from Glenmark generics, specialty formulation and Indian formulation business."

"We maintain our optimistic view on the company supported by the consolidation from the acquisitions (like Actavis), revenue contribution from the new launches and increasing number of approvals from USFDA which would strengthen the earnings visibility of the company, Buy, target of Rs 252.2," says KRChoksey's report.

Castrol India

A high dividend yield, stable business and sound financials make Castrol an attractive pick for long-term investors. It’s a must-have defensive bet during tough times

Beta: 0.41
Institutional Holding: 13.5%
Dividend Yield: 4.6%
P/E: 13.7
M-Cap: Rs 3,739.5 cr

AROBUST balance sheet, sound business model and strong brand equity of its products is enabling Castrol India to churn out good cash flows year after year. Even amidst a slump in the automobile sector, the company’s lubricants will still have a large potential market to tap.

In the past five years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cars and commercial vehicles on India’s roads. This aftermarket is likely to be a big growth driver for the lubricant industry in general and Castrol in particular, over the next few years. With a year-on-year outperformance of 10%, Castrol is a must-have defensive stock during difficult times.

BUSINESS:

Castrol India is the Indian subsidiary of UK-based Burma Castrol and is engaged in manufacturing and marketing of automotive and industrial lubricants and specialty products. It operates in the automotive as well as nonautomotive segments. The former includes oils for heavy-duty vehicles, cars, motorcycles and bikes, while the latter includes industrial lubricants, marine and energy lubricants and the services segment.

Public sector players like IndianOil, Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Castrol account for around 70% of the domestic lubricants market. Several other players, including global majors, account for the balance share, resulting in a highly competitive market. Besides having technologically superior products, Castrol also has strong distribution network and brand recall. The company is the market leader in the retail segment with a share of around 21% in the total automotive lubricants market.

GROWTH STRATEGY:

Castrol has gained market share in a declining lubricants market. The entry of new original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offering new technology vehicles will provide additional opportunities for the company’s products. Lube consumption is projected to grow strongly in cars, fourstroke bikes, as well as building and construction equipment segments.

Gradual growth in personal mobility, as well as corresponding growth in demand for automotive services, are positive factors for the company in the long term. Castrol seeks revenue and value growth through higher dependence on superior technology products relevant to new generation of vehicles, as well as focus on volume growth in the key growth sectors which it has identified. Rather than a broad volume growth strategy, the company is looking at building on profitability.

FINANCIALS:

The company’s balance sheet size has only doubled in the past one-and-a-half decades, while its topline has quadrupled. This shows that the business is not capital-intensive and is earning high returns. The company’s return on capital employed (RoCE) for CY07 stood at 80%. Like a typical multinational company, Castrol adopts conservative financing by being debtfree and distributing the bulk of its profits in the form of dividends.

The company’s net sales have witnessed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% over the fiveyear period ended December ’07 to Rs 1,966 crore. Its net profit has recorded a lower CAGR of 7.4% to Rs 218.4 crore. At an average payout of 85% of its profits, the company’s dividend payout has broadly grown in line with the corresponding growth in profit during the past five years.

Castrol posted a smart recovery in its operating and net profit margins in ’07. This was fuelled by certain factors like price hikes, exit from low-margin segments that have been commoditised, new product launches, and re-launch of old products with new identity, packaging and strong consumer propositions.

Rising crude oil prices have been a concern for the company since the past two years as oil is a critical raw material for lubricants. However, the company is expected to benefit from the recent crash in crude prices.

CONCERNS:

The growth in use of longer drain lubricants, especially in the commercial vehicle segment, is expected to significantly reduce consumption of lubricant per vehicle. This is expected to reduce volume growth significantly over the next 3-5 years.

Price undercutting by low-cost competitors in an attempt to gain volume share is another threat for this premium-category lubricant manufacturer. A long-drawn slump in the automobile segment may hamper future volume growth of the company’s products. Curtail in infrastructure spend due to the general economic slowdown is also likely to curb the market for lubricants. With an industrial slowdown, the company’s business in the non-automotive segment may also take a hit.

VALUATIONS:

Castrol’s current price-earnings (P/E) multiple is 13.7. This is fairly in line with the 12.8% growth in profit registered by the company over a period of 15 years. The stock is fairly valued at current multiples. Besides, a high dividend yield, stable business and sound financials make the stock an attractive pick for the long term.

Wish you all Happy New Year 2009

Year 2008 has been an action packed one in all respects. It started off with stock market correction in mid January, later it turned out to be a bear market and eroded Billons of dollars of investor money.

By then sleeping giant was awaken, the sub prime. It had cascading effect all walks of the economy only in US nut all across the world. Then came the big investment bank failures. Fed has to Bail out leading mortgage lenders of the country Fannie Me, Freddie Mac. But, worst was yet to come, Lemon Brothers, a hundred year old investment bank went bankrupt.

It was the situation with Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley as well. Goldman Sachs was also taken a beating but was slightly better off. Merrill Lynch was acquired by Bank of America. Wachovia acquired by Wells Fargo, Washington Mutual (WaMu ) acquired by JP Morgan. Both Goldman and Morgan were converted to conventional banks. Meanwhile, Warren Buffet, greatest investor that the world has seen also showed confidence in Goldman.

On the other side Worlds largest insurance company AIG (American Insurance Group), has become the victim of sub prime. Stock price was as low as to $1. To life the ailing economy and overcome the sub prime problem US government came up with $700 Billon package. Later it found that it was short by couple of hundreds of Billon dollars. So second bail out package followed soon. Fed was cutting rate to give stimulus to ailing economy.

Mean while across the world there was severe liquidity problem. Credit Tsunami had hit the world and whole world was in shock. Central banks had to cut interest rate to inject liquidity. There was a fear of global recession all central Governments and banks were trying their best to hold situation under control. Central Governments of Germany, France, UK, Switzerland, were coming out with bailout/stimulus package to save the economy. Some of the biggest name like UBS, Credit Suisse, Barclays, HSBC all have become victims of sub prime and credit crunch. Meanwhile, surprisingly China was out with $560 Billion stimulus package to economy. Stock markets were falling day after day.

Metal prices was cooling off, Crude oil price was coming down on the fears of slow down in the global economy and hence the lower consumption. All these lead to lower inflation. With US interest rates going near zero, Deflation worries were looming large.

Stepping into New Year worldwide consumer confidence is multi decade low, Job less claims are at 26 years high, fear of deflation.

What lies ahead in 2009? Hope. Hope of recovery, Hope of job Security, Hope of Peace, Hope of Good life.

New Year is the time to unfold new horizons & realize new dreams, to rediscover the strength & faith within, to rejoice in simple pleasures & gear up for new challenges. Wish all our readers a very happy new year. Wishing you a truly fulfilling 2009. Let year 2009 be filled with Joy, Happiness, Prosperity, Safety & Security.

Have a great New Year ahead & happy investing. Thank you for all your Co-operation and Support.