Bajaj Auto Sales Dip; Demerger Plan

There is no announcement from the company so far in this regard. The board meeting 17 May 2007, will consider FY 2007 (year ended 31 March 2007) results and a dividend.

Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto continued its downward spiral in motorcycle sales for the third consecutive month this year, with its April numbers, including exports, declining by 13% compared to the same month last year. The company said its bike sales in April stood at 1,64,304 units against 1,88,518 units (inclusive of exports) in the same month last year, down 13%. Total two-wheeler sales also registered a dip of 13% at 1,65,692 units against 1,90,964 units last year, BAL said.

Bajaj Auto’s demerger proposal, intended to unlock shareholder value by splitting the manufacturing and financial assets of Bajaj Auto into two separate companies, may also follow the provisions of the income tax legislation to ensure that both BAL and its shareholders are spared from capital gains tax, as per a media report.

Three-wheeler sales, however, were up by 15% at 24,360 units as against 21,159 units in the corresponding month last year, the company added. BAL said exports during the month jumped by 64%

Adlabs swings into action

The seven multi-screen cinema halls, one operational and six upcoming, have 23 screens in all.

Net profit of Adlabs Films rose to Rs 12.61 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 (Rs 8.07 crore). Sales rose to Rs 86.10 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 (Rs 34.33 crore). For the full year, net profit rose to Rs 67.01 crore in the year ended March 2007 (Rs 26.31 crore). Sales rose to Rs 264.16 crore in the year ended March 2007 (Rs 106.25 crore).

In January 2007, Adlabs acquired controlling stake in Synergy Communications, the premier television content company. The new entity is called Synergy Adlabs.

Earlier, Adlabs Films launched BIG 92.7 FM from Hyderabad, Delhi , Chennai and Bangalore, several other major towns of Jammu and Kashmir and Aligarh.

Adlabs Films owns a chain of multiplex theatres across the country, the IMAX Adlabs theatre complex in Mumbai the best known among them. The company produces, distributes and exhibits movies, and has some well-known productions to its credit.

Glenmark Pharma – ABN Amro

ABN Amro research has put a HOLD on Glenmark Pharma. Glenmark’s Q4 results were in expectations but thinks the FY08 guidance as aggressive.

ABN Amro says the stock is fairly valued and stocks to a price target of Rs 656. Glenmark is expected to report an EPS of Rs 29.3 for FY08 and Rs 37.3 for FY09. Glenmark derives 40% of its income from India.

Glenmark has gudied for 80% increase in revenue growth from the US market for FY08. This seems too ambitious with the recent erosion of prices in the US generics market. Glenmark has been into the US for little over a year and adding to its woes is the appreciation of Indian Rupee against USD.

ABN Amro has raised its SOTP based target price from Rs 603 to 656. The stocks is fairly valued at 18x core earnings with a valuation of USD 1 Billion for out licensing deals.

MindTree Consulting No Upside – JP Morgan

JP Morgan in a research note released just a while ago has initiated coverage on MindTree Consulting with NEUTRAL rating with no potential upside for the next 6 months.
Mindtree’s fundamentals are good but with 84% post-IPO appreciation their is no room for more till Dec-07.

JP Morgan expects the share price to trade in a narrow range over the next 9-12 months as earnings catch up with the sharp share price appreciation and the market starts to focus on earnings growth during FY08-FY09 and beyond. They advise investors to enter on declines below Rs630.

JP Morgan expects Mindtree consulting to report sales of Rs 78o crore for FY08 and Rs 1060 crore for FY09 and an EPS of Rs 30.4 and Rs 42.7 respectively. With Indian Rupee under pressure, one needs to take a cautious outlook about Indian IT companies. Mindtree Consulting is one of the scrips in IPO scam where brokers would manipulate the stock post listing.