Brokerages Raise Price Targets On Tata Steel Despite Weak Earnings

Brokerages raised target prices on steel giant despite it reporting a surprise loss.

Steel works operated by Tata Steel in U.K. (Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg)

Shares of Tata Steel Ltd. gained as much as 5.1 percent to Rs 479.95, the biggest intraday jump since November, after the Indian steelmaker said it has struck a deal to solve its long-running U.K. pension standoff.

The resolution brings the Tata group company a step closer to a possible joint venture with Thyssenkrupp AG for its European operations.

While most brokerages maintained their rating on the stock despite the company reporting a surprise loss of Rs 1,168 crore in the January-March quarter, they revised their price target upwards on higher volume and margin guidance.

Here's what brokerages said about Tata Steel post earnings:

Antique Broking

  • Rating: Hold
  • Price Target: Rs 513 per share
  • Domestic steel demand remains a cause of concern as volatile coking coal prices weigh on steel spreads in India and Europe.
  • Tata Steel U.K. has offered to plough 550 million euros into its now-closed pension scheme. It will also give the fund a 33 percent stake in its U.K. business, which is likely to impact sentiment in the medium to short term.
  • See Tata Steel’s domestic enterprise (EV) by its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FY19 at 7 times and at 6.5 times for its overseas subsidiaries.

Motilal Oswal

  • Rating: Sell
  • Price Target: Upgraded to Rs 451 from Rs 440
  • Believes that earnings momentum may moderate from current levels.
  • Better-than expected momentum in FAMD (ferro alloys and minerals division) business in current quarter is a positive.
  • Tata Steel's proposed deal with British Pension Scheme a ‘negative’ surprise.

Ambit

  • Rating: Sell
  • Price Target: Upgraded to Rs 300 from Rs 275
  • Maintain sell citing structurally muted outlook for global steel prices.
  • Revised India volume estimates higher by 4 percent for FY18.
  • Increase in coking coal prices to weigh on Tata Steel U.K.
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