India Quarterly Results Expectations + Sectoral Performance

Most Indian companies will report their earnings for the first quarter ended June-30th in the next few weeks. This is also the quarter where corporate India will measure the impact of rate hikes in the past few months.

According to Citi research, the top 3 sectors to outperform on basis EBITDA margins are Media, Cement and Telecom. The worst 3 sectors are Sugar, Metals and Textiles.

Autos:
One of the worst hit sectors from top-line deceleration due to base effect, higher interest rates and tighter liquidity. Despite INR appreciation, auto ancillary
exporters expected to do well due to exposure to non-USD markets like Europe.

Banks:
Loan growth slowed, but should still be healthy for the quarter at around 27%

Capital Goods:
Continued strong order flow and order execution momentum to keep earnings growth robust here.

Cement:
Despite government intervention in pricing, average prices should still be up 10-11% yoy, driving better margins and strong profits.

Consumer:
Steady top-line growth. Margin pressure in home and personal care segment.

IT Services:
Currency appreciation of 6.4% during the quarter and wage hikes for many companies will weigh on margins.

Metals:
Aluminum saw lower domestic prices yoy due to currency appreciation. Steel Profitability better this quarter due to 10-11% higher prices.

Telecom:
Strong momentum on subscriber addition sustained at 6.1m/month. Margins will expand a bit further on scale economies and operating leverage. Another sector with significant foreign exchange gain on INR appreciation due to forex debt with companies.

IPCL Net Profit Declines

Net profit of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation declined 92.77% to Rs 18.00 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 249.00 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006. Sales rose 30.85% to Rs 3007.00 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 2298.00 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006.

For the full year, net profit declined 11.34% to Rs 1032.00 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 1164.00 crore during the previous year ended March 2006. Sales rose 11.05% to Rs 12129.00 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 10922.00 crore during the previous year ended March 2006. IPCL is managed by RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Trent + Kalyani Forge

Net profit of Trent rose 1.72% to Rs 7.10 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 6.98 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006. Sales rose 19.79% to Rs 108.57 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 90.63 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006.

For the full year, net profit rose 32.94% to Rs 32.41 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 24.38 crore during the previous year ended March 2006. Sales rose 31.56% to Rs 455.78 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 346.44 crore during the previous ear ended March 2006. Does this mean the slowing down of Retail Sales in India ?

Net profit of Kalyani Forge rose 101.10% to Rs 3.66 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 1.82 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006. Sales rose 40.48% to Rs 51.05 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 36.34 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006.

For the full year, net profit rose 6.87% to Rs 11.05 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 10.34 crore during the previous year ended March 2006. Sales rose 23.40% to Rs 182.72 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 148.07 crore during the previous year ended March 2006.

Reliance Equity Advantage Fund – Avoid

Retail Value Investors should avoid the NFO of Reliance Equity Advantage Fund. In quest to become the number one fund house in India and encashing on the the ignorance of Indian retail investors, Reliance Mutual Fund is launching a fund every month which is totally unnecessary.

Reliance Equity Advantage Fund is a Index Fund which will invest 80% in Nifty stocks and the balance 20% in other equities which the fund manager deems fit. Avoid the NFO.

Retail value investors should stick to value investing by means of Systematic Investment Plan.

Aurobindo Pharma net profit rises 108.13%

Net profit of Aurobindo Pharma rose 108.13% to Rs 78.11 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 37.53 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006. Sales rose 15.06% to Rs 532.76 crore in the quarter ended March 2007 as against Rs 463.04 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2006.

For the full year, net profit rose 230.23% to Rs 229.08 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 69.37 crore during the previous year ended March 2006. Sales rose 34.47% to Rs 1979.72 crore in the year ended March 2007 as against Rs 1472.20 crore during the previous year ended March 2006.