Citi Upgrades Punj Lloyd Target Price

Breaking News: Citigroup Research has upgraded the stock of Punj Lloyd with a target price of Rs 353 from Rs 305 earlier target.

Raised target price to Rs353 earnings estimates are revised by 14-16% over FY08E-10E on the back of (1) 73% YoY sales and 101% YoY PAT growth in 1QFY08; (2) 22% higher sales growth on faster execution of orders and 50bps higher margins in Punj (ex Semb); (3) Dilution because of the recent equity placement and promoter warrants.

L&T’s order backlog is 2.7x that of Punj + Semb but (1) its market is 7.5x and (2) is 32% more expensive than Punj. Citi expects this valuation and market capitalization gap to narrow as we forecast Punj Lloyd will start delivering earnings growth at a pace superior to L&T over the next 3 years.

Punj Lloyd is perhaps the only mid cap E&C company that could leapfrog into the next level which is occupied by L&T with its diversified skill sets. The first sign that Punj Lloyd can actually deliver on its potential came when the company reported 4QFY07 PAT of Rs889mn which was 59% ahead of CIR estimates.

Target price of Rs353 is based on a target P/E multiple of 23x FY09E, which is well supported by earnings CAGR of 44% over FY07-10E and RoEs expanding from 18% in FY08E to 21% in FY10E. Target multiple is at a discount to that of L&T.

Paramount Communications acquires UK based AEI cables

Paramount Communications has announced the acquisition of the business of AEI cables in an all cash deal on 03 September 2007. AEI cables has a turnover of approximately GBP 65 million.

Elara Capital Plc, a London- based mid-market advisor, was the sole corporate finance adviser to the company for this transaction. This is Elara Capital’s first cross border transaction involving two listed companies.

The acquisition of AEI cables by the company will make the company the largest listed Indian company in the cable industry with an annual turnover of over Rs 1,100 crore.

The acquisition is substantially funded through borrowings by the company’s new wholly-owned UK subsidiary against the AEI cables assets which it has acquired, without recourse to the company. The company is only infusing Rs 25 crore out of the proceeds of FCCBs.

ENAM Neutral on Tata Steel

ENAM India Research has maintained a neutral rating on the prospects of Tata Steel with a price target of Rs 657 because of the short term challenges the company is facing rather than the long term gains.

  • Equity raising and capacity expansion are the key to future success of Tata Steel
  • Higher interest costs on bridge debt financing
  • Tax inefficiencies for one of the SPVs (Tata Steel Asia)
  • Improving margin by enhancing integrated operations in India

Robust demand growth, driven by strong consumption in China and other EMs. Large Chinese capacity addition to replace old capacities and also for local consumptions. Iron ore – Spot iron of prices currently 50% higher than current contract prices. Expected to rise significantly next
year. Coking coal – prices are expected to move higher next year.

Key risks include financial leverage and low operating margin. Thus maintain a NEUTRAL rating on the stock.

Adlabs losses Rs 7 Crore in RGV’s Agg

Unprofessionally managed Adlabs owned by Anil Ambani has suffered its first setback in the Bollywood – RGV’s Aag is a flop show. RGV is said to have lost Rs 15 crore whil Anil Ambnai’s AdLabs is expected to lose Rs 7 crore only on this film.

AdLabs could have been more careful while risking shareholders money, but unfortunately they were not. So weigh every penny before you invest with such companies.

Tata Motors Vehicle Sale Falls

India’s top bus and truck maker, Tata Motors’ vehicle sales in August fell 0.4% to 45,144 units from 45,325 units a year earlier. Commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market rose 1.6% to 23,431 units from 23,069 units a year earlier, while sales of cars and utility vehicles fell 5% to 16,620 units. Exports in August 2007 rose 8% to 5,093 units from 4,715 units a year earlier.

Chairman Ratan Tata confirmed on Friday, 24 August 2007, that he is interested in acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover from their parent, Ford. Tata’s interest in Jaguar and Land Rover stems from a desire to expand Tata Motors’ global presence.