Prakash Industries steel plant in State of Chhattisgarh

Prakash Industries has established an integrated steel plant in the State of Chhattisgarh at Champa, District Janjgir. The company has entered into a MOU with the Government of Chhattisgarh on 01 February 2008 to establish and operate a 600 MW thermal power station in the State of Chhattisgarh with an investment of approximately Rs 2400 crore.

The project may be implemented in the company or in a SPV formed for this purpose. The company would be entitled to wheel the power through Power Grid Corporation of India / other grid lines or its own dedicated lines for its own use or for its customers. The project would be operational within a period of 3 to 4 years and would be financed through a mix of equity and debt.

Reliance Infratel files for DRHP

Reliance Communications has announced that Reliance Infratel, subsidiary of the company proposes an initial public offering – IPO of 8,91,64,100 equity shares of Rs 5 each for cash at a premium to be decided through the 100% book building process. The issue will constitute 10.05% of the post-issue paid-up equity capital of the company.

The company has filed its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), on 04 February 2008.

The company is part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group and its business is to build, own and operate telecommunication towers and related assets at designated sites and to provide these passive telecommunication infrastructure assets on a shared basis to wireless service providers and other communications service providers under long-term contracts. These customers use the space on the company’s telecommunication towers to install their active communication-related equipment to operate their wireless communications networks.

goBroadband reports that the company is on a aggressive expansion mode for FY2009 as it extends its GSM footprint on PAN-India basis.

Buy Punj Lloyd – Kotak

Punj Lloyd took a hit on its bottom line last quarter due to project delay and cost overrun. However, the markets have reacted more than necessary considering the strong order-book the company enjoys.

Punj Lloyd’s management expects to settle these losses once the projects get over by March-April 2008. In that case, losses may get reversed. Kotak expects blended operating margins to be around 9% in FY08 and expect it to improve to 10.3% in FY09 and 11% by FY10. (more…)

HDFC Funds Underperform over 1 Year Period

Prsahant JainThe markets maybe buoyant but our SIP investments have underperformed the markets in the past 6 months and 12 months period in the hands of HDFC Fund Managers [Prashant Jain, Chirag Setalvad and Vinay Kulkarni] .

HDFC Equity Fund:
Mainly focused on Large Cap stocks. This fund has delivered returns of 53.25% Vs 62.08% [S&P CNX 500]. However the fund continues to beat the benchmark for period longer than 3 years.

HDFC Top 200 Fund:
Has some exposure to Midcaps but a strict no to smallcap.This fund has delivered returns of 54.10% against benchmark [BSE 200] 60.03%. The fund continues to beat the benchmark for period longer than 3 years. Both the funds are managed by Sr. Fund Manager Mr. Prashant Jain, almost since inception. The fund manager believes in sticking to highly liquid stocks. In the past we have seen him pick-up turnaround companies or pick new winners and stick to them to reap the bounty. However, in the past 12 months their has been no aggression from the fund managers side but we continue to believe his performance will beat the benchmark over a 3+ year period.

HDFC Long Term Advantage Fund:
This fund was launched in the bear phase in Indian market. This fund has also failed to beat the benchmark SENSEX over a 12 month period. It generated returns of 40.36% Vs 46.84. [One cannot compare this fund for just 12 months period because investor funds are locked-in by default for 3 years] However, over a 3 year period the fund has beaten its benchmark index. The fund qualifies for ELSS investment tax benefit under section 80 of the IT act.

HDFC Tax Saver Fund Growth:
This fund saw change of guard with Tushar Pradhan moving to AIG and Vinay Kulkarni taking the drivers seat. This fund has again failed to beat its benchmark S&P 500 over 12 month period. However, it continues to beat benchmark and create wealth over longer term.

Since we advise Investors to have a long term view, we need to take atleast a 3 year period under review before one can pull the plug.

IRB Infrastructure Developers – Review

IRB is an infrastructure development and construction company in India with extensive experience in the roads and highways sector. The Company has established business in the roads sector and has a large portfolio of completed and operational BOT projects in road infrastructure sector.

IRB also has an advantage of support of experienced promoters and skilled engineering staff. It has recently diversified into the real estate development sector in order to complement its infrastructure development business. Due to its early entrance in the BOT toll road business, IRB operates a number of BOT projects which contributes to robust cash flow and a healthy bottom-line. (more…)