Stocks To Watch: Escorts, L&T, Maruti Suzuki, Mindtree

Stocks in Asia were mixed as investors assessed the latest commentary from the Federal Reserve, with trading volumes below average and holiday closures remaining in Japan and China.

Hong Kong equities edged higher with those in Seoul, while Australian stocks retreated. The Singapore-traded SGX Nifty, an early indicator of NSE Nifty 50 Index’s performance in India, fell 0.61 percent to 11,776.50 as of 7:55 a.m.

Short on time? Well, then listen to this podcast for a quick summary of All You Need To Know before the opening bell podcast

Here Are The Stocks To Watch Out For In Today’s Trade

• Lupin, in alliance with Natco Pharma, received FDA approval for Bosentan tablets, used to treat hypertension.
• DHFL met repayment obligations that were due on April 30 and repaid principal of Rs 500 crore and interest payments of Rs 332 crore and will consider raising funds via equity on May 4. ICRA downgraded commercial papers worth Rs 850 crore to ‘A3+’ from ‘A2+’.
• 63 Moons Technologies: Supreme Court set aside the merger order of NSEL with the company. Company’s MD S Rajendran said that the company had been articulating in the past that the merger will serve no purpose for the stakeholders of either NSEL or FTIL but to benefit only a few people with vested interest.
• IndusInd Bank said that in the light of recent downgrades by rating agencies of a large NBFC and its arm, the bank’s exposure to the NBFC and its arm stand at approximately 0.5 percent of the loan book and secured via a security package. The bank proposes to declare March quarter results and annual results only after the NCLT order on its merger with Bharat Financial Inclusion.
• Larsen and Toubro held 19.96 percent equity stake in Mindtree as on April 30 after acquiring 3.3 crore shares at Rs 980 each from VG Siddhartha, Coffee Day Enterprises and Coffee Day Trading.
• Reliance Home Finance: ICRA cut the rating on 11 mortgage loan securitizations of the company.
• Reliance Mutual Fund has exposure of Rs 535 crore and Rs 1,083 crore to long-term bonds issued by group firms Reliance Commercial Finance and Reliance Home Finance respectively, according to an emailed statement issued by Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management. The mutual fund will write down the impact of exposure to group company’s bonds, reports Bloomberg News.
• Sadbhav Engineering: Board to consider raising funds via debt instruments on May 4.
• Amber Enterprises said that promoters of Sidwal have requested for extension of time limit for completing conditions which will enable Amber Enterprises to acquire 80 percent stake in Sidwal. The timeline for completing the acquisition has been extended to May 15.
• Bharat Heavy Electricals signed an MoU with Automotive Research Association of India for various projects related to e-mobility.
• Embassy Office Park REIT: Four Seasons Hotel in Bengaluru to commence operations from May 1. The 230 key hotel is India’s second Four Seasons hotel and is a core component of the Embassy One commercial complex.
• Cochin Shipyard signed a contract for construction of eight water crafts worth Rs 6,311.32 crore for the Indian Navy. In its press release, the company stated that it is set to commence its ship repair operations at Kolkata and Port Blair shortly.
• Ashok Leyland: ICRA revised the Long Term rating to ‘AA+’ (stable) from ‘AA’ (positive), as the standalone credit profile of the company had seen a strong volume growth in medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
• Skipper-Metzer India LLP inaugurated its first manufacturing plant in Hyderabad with an annual manufacturing capacity of 880 lakh meters of various drip and sprinkler irrigation products.
• ICICI Bank to consider fund raising on May 6.
• Lakshmi Vilas Bank revised its MCLR across various tenors with effect from May 1. One-month MCLR now stands at 9.75 percent while one-year MCLR is at 10.05 percent.
• Tube Investments approved raising up to Rs 100 crore for financial year 2020.
• KKR, GIC are seeking to buy $400 million stake in India Grid Trust, reports Reuters.
• Mercator sold its large carrier for $27.5 million and said that the net proceeds will be used to reduce debt and other liabilities.
• Newgen Software Technologies incorporated a wholly owned arm in Australia.
• Relaxo Footwears: Board to consider issue of bonus shares on May 10.
• Avenue Supermarts to consider raising capital via issue of equity shares on May 11.
• NBCC (India): Finance Ministry says company didn’t need approval for Jaypee Infratech bid.
• Varun Beverages: Concluded acquisition of franchise rights in South and West regions from PepsiCo. Transfer of manufacturing facilities in above regions is in progress and shall be completed in due course. Company is now a franchise of PepsiCo beverages business across 27 states and 7 union territories of India.
• Coal India: April coal production rose 1 percent year-on-year to 45.29 million tonnes. Coal offtake rose 2.6 percent year-on-year to 52.35 million tonnes.
• NSE to introduce F&O contracts for L&T Infotech, Mphasis and PNB Housing Finance from May 31.

April Auto Sales (YoY)

• Maruti Suzuki India’s sales fell 17 percent to 1.43 lakh units.
• Escorts’ sales declined 14.9 percent to 5,264 units.
• Atul Auto’s sales rose 22.2 percent to 3,346 units.
• Suzuki Motorcycle India’s sales jumped 9.25 percent to 57,072 units.
• Honda Cars’ sales soared 23.2 percent to 11,272 units.
• Eicher Motors’ Royal Enfield sales fell 17 percent to 62,879 units.

Catch all the live auto sales updates here.

Earnings To Watch

• MRF
• Kansai Nerolac Paints
• Larsen & Toubro Infotech
• Hindustan Zinc
• Laurus Labs
• Arvind SmartSpaces
• Aurionpro Solutions
• Bandhan Bank
• Blue Star
• Bombay Dyeing
• Dabur
• DFM Foods
• Greaves Cotton
• Hatsun Agro Product
• Intellect Design Arena
• International Paper APPM
• JM Financial
• LKP Finance
• LKP Securities
• Mold-Tek Packaging
• Orient Paper & Industries
• Radico Khaitan
• Security and Intelligence Services
• Sundaram Clayton
• Sunteck Realty
• Tanla Solutions
• Tata Power Company
• The Investment Trust Of India
• National Fertilizers
• Kamdhenu
• Cigniti Technologies

Earnings Reactions To Watch

Britannia (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 10.3 percent to Rs 2,764 crore.
• Profit up 11.8 percent to Rs 297 crore.
• Ebitda up 10 percent to Rs 436 crore.
• Margin flat at 15.6 percent.
• Recommended dividend of Rs 15 per share.

TVS Motor (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 9.4 percent to Rs 4,384 crore.
• Net profit down 19.2 percent to Rs 133.8 crore.
• Ebitda up 4.4 percent to Rs 308.1 crore.
• Margin at 7 percent versus 7.4 percent.

Ambuja Cements (Q1CY19, YoY)

• Revenue up 2.3 percent to Rs 2,927.6 crore.
• Net profit up 57.1 percent to Rs 427 crore.
• Ebitda down 8.6 percent to Rs 463.3 crore.
• Margin at 15.8 percent versus 17.7 percent.
• Other income up 4.7 times to Rs 240.2 crore.
• Sonal Shrivastava appointed as CFO.

Raymond (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 11 percent to Rs 1,808.7 crore.
• Net profit up 27.1 percent to Rs 67.5 crore.
• Ebitda up 10.9 percent to Rs 167 crore.
• Margin flat at 9.2 percent.

Ajanta Pharma (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue down 2.8 percent to Rs 515.2 crore.
• Net profit down 5.9 percent to Rs 88.9 crore.
• Ebitda down 8.8 percent to Rs 127.2 crore.
• Margin at 24.7 percent versus 26.3 percent.
• Raw material cost as percent of sales at 25 percent versus 21 percent.

Gruh Finance (Q4, YoY)

• Net interest income down 4.2 percent to Rs 169.7 crore.
• Net profit up 1.2 percent to Rs 129.7 crore.
• Loan assets up 12 percent to Rs 17,408 crore.
• Board approved raising Rs 5,100 crore via debt instruments.

Indian Hotels (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 8.8 percent to Rs 1,244.3 crore.
• Net profit up 52.1 percent to Rs 115 crore.
• Ebitda up 16.1 percent to Rs 284.3 crore.
• Margin at 22.8 percent versus 21.4 percent.
• Other income up 81 percent to Rs 37.2 crore.
• Exceptional gain of Rs 14.8 crore versus exceptional loss of Rs 14.4 crore.

Can Fin Homes (Q4, YoY)

• Net interest income up 5 percent to Rs 137.7 crore.
• Net profit down 9.3 percent to Rs 67 crore.

Zensar Technologies (Q4, QoQ)

• Revenue up 2.1 percent to Rs 1,057.4 crore.
• Net profit up 49.5 percent to Rs 82.7 crore.
• EBIT up 23.6 percent to Rs 93.7 crore.
• Margin at 8.9 percent versus 7.3 percent.
• Other income of Rs 25 crore.

Shoppers Stop (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue down 6.9 percent to Rs 791.1 crore.
• Net profit down 44.7 percent to Rs 11.5 crore.
• Ebitda up 14.8 percent to Rs 59.1 crore.
• Margin at 7.5 percent versus 6.1 percent.

Future Lifestyle Fashions (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 30.1 percent to Rs 1,271.28 crore.
• Net profit up 40.5 percent to Rs 36.44 crore.
• Ebitda up 21.6 percent to Rs 107.38 crore.
• Margin at 8.4 percent versus 9.0 percent.

DCM Shriram (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 20.5 percent to Rs 1,887.92 crore.
• Net profit up 484.28 percent to Rs 292.14 crore.
• Ebitda up 365.7 percent to Rs 398.18 crore.
• Margin at 21.1 percent versus 5.45 percent.

Container Corporation (Q4, YoY)

• Revenue up 11.9 percent to Rs 1,834.29 crore.
• Net profit up 20.6 percent to Rs 352.31 crore.
• Ebitda up 17.2 percent to Rs 467.23 crore.
• Margin at 25.4 percent versus 24.3 percent.

Everest Industries (Q4, YoY)

• Revenues up 7.6 percent to Rs 367.35 crore.
• Net profit down 25.8 percent to Rs 14.69 crore.
• Ebitda down 8.4 percent to Rs 24.3 crore.
• Margin at 6.6 percent versus 7.7 percent.

Bulk Deals

• 63 Moons Tech: Gogia Capital Services acquired 2.35 lakh shares or 0.51 percent equity at Rs 123.85 each.

Goldiam International

• Ramesh Damani acquired 3 lakh shares or 1.31 percent equity at Rs 85 each.
• Diajewel NV sold 5 lakh shares or 2.18 percent equity at Rs 85 each.

Dewan Housing Finance Corporation

• SEI Trust Company LMCG Emerging Markets Collective Fund acquired 21.15 lakh shares or 0.67 percent equity at Rs 133.68 each.

Pledge Share Details

• Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals promoter group Simon India created a pledge of 17.6 lakh shares on April 25.
• Adani Transmission promoter group Gautam Adani revoked pledge of 2.04cr shares on April 26.
• Emami promoters created pledge of 2.6 lakh shares on April 24 and revoked pledge of 9,000 shares on April 25.
• Adani Enterprises promoter group Gautam Adani revoked pledge of 94.54 lakh shares on April 26.
• Adani Ports & SEZ promoter group Gautam Adani revoked pledge of 6.78cr shares on April 26.
• Reliance Power: IDBI Trusteeship Services invoked pledge of 7.62 crore shares on April 30.

Trading Tweaks

• Foods Inn record date for bonus issue at 2:1.
• Quantity freeze limits for derivative contracts for Bank Nifty at 2500 points and for Nifty and Nifty IT at 5000 points, respectively.
• Eveready Industries price band revised to 10 percent.
• 8K Miles Software Services Limited to move out of short term ASM Framework.

Who’s Meeting Whom

• Mahindra & Mahindra to meet Hermes Investment Management on May 2.
• TCS to meet Lazard Asset Management on May 8.
• Speciality Restaurants to meet TrustLine Holdings on May 2.

F&O Cues

Futures – May Series

Nifty

• Nifty futures closed trading at 11,791.5, premium of 43.4 points versus 58.9 points.
• Nifty open interest down 2 percent, sheds 3.9 lakh shares in open interest.

Bank Nifty

• Bank Nifty futures closed trading at 29891.7, premium of 126.9 points versus 164 points.
• Bank Nifty open interest down 9 percent, sheds 1.6 lakh shares in open interest.

Options

• Nifty PCR at 1.48 versus 1.62 (across all series).

Nifty Weekly Expiry 2 May

• Max open interest concentration at 11,800 Call (24.8 lakh shares), 11,900 Call (19.4 lakh shares) 11,700 Put (+17.8 lakh shares).
• Max open interest addition seen at 11,900 Call (+8.8 lakh shares) & 11,850 Call (+7.2 lakh shares), 11,800 Call(+5.4 lakh shares).

Nifty Monthly Expiry 30 May

• Max open interest concentration on Put side at 11,000 (21.8 lakh shares).
• Max open interest on call side at 12,000 (11.9 lakh shares).

Brokerage Radar

On Kotak Mahindra Bank

Nomura

• Downgraded to ‘Neutral’ from ‘Buy’; hiked price target to Rs 1,450 from Rs 1,400.
• March quarter was in line; cut to Neutral on valuation
• Deposit side best-in-class now along with credit underwriting.
• Fundamentally, franchise is getting stronger.

Jefferies

• Downgraded to ‘Underperform’ from ‘Hold’; hiked price target to Rs 1,175 from Rs 1,160.
• March quarter review: steady quarter; downgrade on premium valuation.
• Tepid NII growth and higher NPL provisions.
• RoEs will remain capped at sub-16 percent (consol) and below 15 percent (standalone)

On TVS Motor

Nomura

• Maintained ‘Reduce’; cut price target to Rs 359 from Rs 411.
• March quarter’s margins were significantly below estimates due to higher commodity costs.
• Rising costs and competition to keep margins under pressure.
• As volume growth slows, stock will find it difficult to sustain current valuation.

Jefferies

• Maintained ‘Hold’; cut price target to Rs 540 from Rs 580.
• March quarter’s Ebitda missed estimates despite revenue beat.
• Inventory in check; hopeful of better H2; exports momentum to continue.
• Outperforming peers but burden of expectations weigh.

On Ambuja Cements

Nomura

• Maintained ‘Buy’ with a price target of Rs 295
• Weak March quarter due to lower realisations and volumes.
• Continue to believe that cement is in upcycle.
• Cement prices have seen increases recently; expect realisations to move up from June quarter.

CLSA

• Maintained ‘Outperform’ with a price target of Rs 250.
• Weak March quarter operating results.
• Realisation miss even while costs managed well.
• With better spot prices in core market, margin outlook is much better.

More Calls

PhillipCapital on Britannia

• Maintained ‘Neutral’ with a price target of Rs 2,675.
• March quarter results were tad below our expectations.
• Margins flat on account of increase in overheads due to commissioning of new facilities.
• Management cautioned regarding a slowdown in recent months.

HSBC on Castrol India

• Maintain Hold; Cut TP to Rs 170 from Rs 175
• Q1CY19 miss on weakening demand growth
• Brand strength, product mix and cost control helped protect strong margins
• Believe current tough macro conditions could keep earnings growth under pressure

HSBC on India Power

• Analysis of stressed assets suggests no immediate need for private IPPs to set up thermal power plants.
• Low demand growth, weak discoms and low renewable tariffs discourage discoms from signing new long-term PPAs.
• Remain cautious on BHEL and other capital goods stocks in coverage.

HSBC on ICICI Prudential

• Maintained ‘Buy’; hiked price target to Rs 416 from Rs 385.
• March quarter results were on expected lines but directionally positive.
• Expect APE sales growth of 10-14 percent over the next three years and protection margins to sustain at current levels.
• 2018-19 was forgettable, turnaround is underway

Nomura on Exide Industries

• Maintained ‘Neutral’; hiked price target to Rs 239 from Rs 236.
• March quarter’s margin beats on lower staff costs and other overhead costs.
• Auto sector demand weak across OEMs and replacement.
• Believe Exide will continue to face market share pressure.

HSBC on Quess Corp

• Maintained ‘Buy’ with a price target of Rs 1,000.
• Strong momentum in staffing and facilities business to lead to above-average organic growth in March quarter.
• Margin concerns on pricing and acquisitions are overdone; expect margins to improve.
• Believe Quess offers strong double digit revenue growth.

CLSA on Persistent Systems

• Downgraded to ‘Sell’ from ‘Buy’; cut price target to Rs 620 from Rs 700.
• All business units show poor YoY growth, no signs of strength.
• Margins in-line on adjusted basis; don’t see scope for expansion.
• Cut Revenue and EPS estimates by 1-2 percent and 2-12 percent respectively over FY20-21; Persistent is likely to remain a value trap.