Indian stock market and companies daily report (January 09, 2011, Monday)

Indian markets are expected to open in red taking cues from gap down opening in most of the Asian markets and negative closing in most of the global markets on Friday. The Indian markets ended flat to modestly high on Friday, reversing early declines, as European stocks rose and expectations of an interest rate cut this month heightened.
Globally, most of the US and European markets closed lower on Friday traders shrugged off another upbeat U.S. employment report amid continued concerns about the ongoing European debt crisis, stocks turned in a lackluster performance during trading. Selling pressure in global markets was also generated by news that Fitch Ratings downgraded Hungary to junk status. Adding to the concerns, ECB said overnight deposits by European commercial banks reached a new record high of EUR455.3bn. The markets this week be closely watching out from IIP numbers and Infosys results which will be released on January 12, 2012. Infosys result is expected to set tone for the upcoming result season.

Markets Today
The trend deciding level for the day is 15,861 / 4,750 levels. If NIFTY trades above this level during the first half-an-hour of trade then we may witness a further rally up to 15,888 – 15,926 / 4,757– 4,766 levels. However, if NIFTY trades below 15,861 / 4,750 levels for the first half-an-hour of trade then it may correct up to 15,823 – 15,796 / 4,740 – 4,733 levels.

NTPC gets back three de-allocated coal blocks
The Coal Ministry has given back three coal blocks to NTPC Ltd. The ministry had taken back these blocks last year as the company had failed to develop them within the stipulated period. All the blocks have been given back on the condition that they would be developed within two years, failing which they would be again taken back by the Coal Ministry. At the CMP, the stock is trading at P/BV of 1.6x its FY2013 estimates. We maintain our Buy recommendation on the stock with a target price of `200.

Idea challenges fresh liquidated damages imposed for two circles
Idea Cellular has approached telecom tribunal TDSAT against the government’s move to impose additional liquidated damages on it for not meeting roll-out obligations in two circles – Haryana and Maharashtra. The contention of the telco is that when the main penalty for these two circles has already been set aside by the tribunal, there is no point in imposing the additional penalty. The main penalty had been set aside on December 5. The counsel appearing for Idea also said that DoT has imposed penalty on it without serving a show cause notice, thereby denying it an opportunity to present its case in a proper manner. TDSAT has directed the DoT to file reply on Idea's plea by Wednesday. It has also asked DoT not to take any action against the operator. We maintain our Neutral recommendation on the stock.

Economic and Political News
- 9% growth in 12th Plan a challenge, says Montek Singh
- Proposal for Japanese FDI in DMIC project gets MEA nod
- Fiscal deficit may be more than projected, says Pranab Mukherjee

Corporate News
- Ashok Leyland Stile and Partner unveiled
- After Kingfisher, AI Express, DGCA raps other carriers
- JSPL commissions new unit, capacity rises to 917 MW
- GMR Infra issues debentures worth `250cr to GMR Airports
- Mundra UMPP's first 800MW unit starts production

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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.

Share Market Update on IDBI Bank for 1QFY2012

Share Market Update on IDBI Bank for 1QFY2012 with a Neutral recommendation.

For 1QFY2012, IDBI Bank reported healthy 33.6% yoy growth in its net profit to `335cr, which was in-line with our estimates but lower than consensus forecasts. Sequentially stable NIM, lower fee income and higher slippages despite the already-functioning system-based NPA recognition platform were the key highlights of the result. We maintain our Neutral view on the stock.

NIM surprises positively while slippages rise: For 1QFY2012, the bank’s advances declined by 1.3% qoq (up 14.5% yoy). Deposits also declined by 2.3% qoq (up 12.1% yoy). Advances growth on a yoy basis was driven by strong 49.8% growth in retail credit, which has increased its share to 19.2% from 14.7% in 1QFY2011. CASA deposits growth continued to be healthy at 49.2% yoy, leading to a 429bp yoy improvement in CASA ratio to 17.3%. The bank was able to largely sustain (down marginally by 3bp qoq) its reported NIM at 2.1%, despite the 54bp qoq rise in cost of funds. The annualised gross slippage ratio increased to 1.6% as compared to 0.5% in 4QFY2011. Slippages were on the higher side considering the fact that the bank had already switched over to system-based NPA recognition platform. Profitability in 1QFY2012 was aided by the write-back of provisions on SRs of `92cr. However, profits were lower due to the higher effective tax rate at 44.6% (27.6% in FY2011) due to non-tax deductibility of certain provisioning expenses. Profits for the quarter included ~`18cr from the two subsidiaries, which had merged with the bank in 4QFY2011. Branch expansion was healthy with addition of 67 branches, taking the network to 883.

Outlook and valuation: We believe the bank is set to improve its credit and deposit mix going forward on the back of its strong branch expansion plans. The bank has been amongst the fastest-growing in terms of CASA deposits over the past few years even when compared to private banks and now has a market share of 2.1%. At the CMP, the stock is trading at 1.1x FY2013E P/ABV adjusting for SASF (0.8x without adjusting). However, in our view, there are near-term cyclical headwinds to margins and asset quality. Hence, we maintain our Neutral stance on the stock