Indian stock market and companies daily report (February 21, 2012, Tuesday)

The domestic markets are expected to open flat or marginally in green following higher closing across most of the western markets. Asian stock markets are trading flat as investors remain cautions and wait for European finance ministers in Brussels to approve a crucial second bailout for Greece.

The US markets traded choppily on Friday (closed on Monday) as the economic data releases painted a mixed picture with a report from the Conference Board showing that its index of leading economic indicators increased for the fourth consecutive month in January, while another report from the Labor Department showing only a modest increase in consumer prices in the month of January. Although investors seemed reluctant to make any significant moves going into the long weekend, optimism that European finance ministers will approve a new bailout package for Greece helped to keep traders from doing much profit taking. Meanwhile Indian shares rebounded on Friday after some consolidation the day before, with firm global cues supporting the liquidity-driven rally.

Markets Today

The trend deciding level for the day is 18,315/5,572 levels. If NIFTY trades above this level during the first half-an-hour of trade then we may witness a further rally up to 18,397 – 18,504/5,599 – 5,634 levels. However, if NIFTY trades below 18,315/5,572 levels for the first half-an-hour of trade then it may correct up to 18,208 – 18,126/5,537 – 5,511 levels.

Cement companies raise prices

Cement companies have raised prices in the northern and western regions in the range of Rs.7 to Rs.10 per bag with effect from February 17, 2011. The price hike follows the correction in the region during January due to the severe winter season, which affected construction activities. We believe the recent price hike is an effort by cement manufacturers to pass on the hike in operating costs. We are currently Neutral on the cement sector, as we believe valuations are significantly ahead of the cycle, but we maintain our Buy recommendation on JK Lakshmi Cement due to its attractive valuations, with a target price of Rs.79.

NMDC cuts ore prices; lowers volume guidance

NMDC has cut prices of iron ore fines and lumps by 20% and 3%, respectively, for 4QFY2012 on the back of the decline in global iron prices, the recent rupee appreciation and increased export duty on iron ore. The price cut by NMDC is higher than our expectations given the shortage of iron ore in the domestic markets.

NMDC has also lowered its sales volume guidance for FY2012 and FY2013. The company now expects sales volumes of 27mn tonnes and 30mn tonnes (earlier 30 mn tonnes and 33mn tonnes) for FY2012 and FY2013, respectively. Although the company has ~5mn tonnes of iron ore inventory at its mine pit-heads, however it faces logistical constraints to increase off take due to breakdown in slurry pipeline, lower availability of railway rakes and stricter regulations in transportation of iron ore in Karnataka. Considering the company’s revised sales volumes guidance, we lower our 4QFY2012 and FY2013 realization and sales volume estimates.

Although NMDC has a strong balance sheet, presence in sellers market (iron ore), low cost of production, high-grade mines and long mine life, we now expect sales volumes to witness a CAGR of only 5.2% over FY2011-2013. On account of lower volume growth and lower realization, NMDC’s bottom line is expected to grow by only 4.0% yoy during FY2013. Further, given the 23% rise in the stock price since January 1, 2012, we recommend Neutral on the stock.

Result Review – 4QCY2011

CRISIL announced its 4QCY2011 numbers. Net sales increased by 26.6% yoy to Rs.225cr (Rs.177cr) led by strong growth in the research segment. Research segments revenue increased by 34.0% yoy while the rating segment and advisory segments revenue increased by 14.1% and 7.0% respectively. EBITDA increased by 15.2% yoy to Rs.80cr (Rs.69cr) due to higher revenue. EBITDA margin declined by 352bps yoy to 35.6% (39.1%). PAT increased by 10.4% yoy to Rs.56cr (Rs.51cr) while margin declined by 366bps yoy to 24.8% (28.5%) almost in line with EBITDA margin contraction. We will be coming out with a detailed report post management interaction. We continue to maintain an Neutral rating on the stock.

Economic and Political News
- Government may let foreign individuals directly buy corporate debt
- Railways stares at a Rs.2lakh cr crunch
- Bankers agree to subscribe to Air India’s Rs.7,400cr bond issue

Corporate News
- Ashok Leyland's Optare eyes small bus market
- Frozen bank accounts led to disruptions: Kingfisher
- Essar Oil plans to raise Rs.3,000cr in next 15 months

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Indian stock market and companies daily report (January 06, 2012, Friday)

Indian markets are expected to open range-bound following mixed cues from the global markets. Asian stocks are currently trading down on concerns of European debt crisis which has outweighed forecasted gains in US employment.
Indian shares erased early gains on Thursday, as weak Asian and European cues amid fresh concerns about the state of Europe's banks and lingering worries over potential euro-zone sovereign downgrades overshadowed rising expectations that the domestic central bank will cut interest rates at the upcoming policy review meet on January 24.
The US markets traded lower early in the day but ended in the green following release of some upbeat U.S. employment data. The early weakness on Wall Street was due in large part to a negative reaction to the results of a French bond auction, with the sale of 7.96 billion Euros worth of long-term French bonds drawing a higher yield than a month ago. Investors worldwide would keenly watch out for the US nonfarm payroll data and monthly unemployment rate data due for release today.

Markets Today
The trend deciding level for the day is 15,882/4,753 levels. If NIFTY trades above this level during the first half-an-hour of trade then we may witness a further rally up to 15,955 – 16,053/4,776 – 4,803 levels. However, if NIFTY trades below 15,882/4,753 levels for the first half-an-hour of trade then it may correct up to 15,784 – 15,711/4,727 – 4,704 levels.

Cement Dispatches – December 2011
ACC’s cement dispatches for December 2011 stood at 2.09mn tonnes, up bystrong 8.9% yoy. For CY2011, the company’s dispatches reported 11.4% growth  to 23.58mn tonnes, though on a lower capacity base of the previous year. The company added ~3mtpa of capacity in CY2011, post which its overall capacity stands at ~30mtpa. Decent growth in dispatches reported by ACC and UltraTech in December 2011 hints at higher dispatches to the southern region, as both the companies have a decent exposure to the southern region. We continue to remain Neutral on ACC.

Maruti Suzuki to raise product prices next week
Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) has announced that it is planning to increase its product prices from next week to mitigate the impact of INR depreciation on input costs. While the company has not divulged any details on the quantum of the price increase, media reports indicate that the price hike will be in the range of 2-3%. The recent price hike comes on the back of price increase of Rs.10,000 carried out in November 2011 on all its diesel models.
MSIL, which has a substantial exposure to Yen (direct as well as indirect imports and royalty payment constitute ~27% of net sales), is likely to be severely impacted by the continued appreciation of Yen vs. INR (~12% qoq in 3QFY2012 and ~30% YTDFY2012). While the company has hedged its direct imports for 2HFY2012 for JPY/USD part of the leg at a rate of JPY79/USD, USD/INR part is still unhedged, which will have a negative impact on the company’s profitability in 2HFY2012. Meanwhile, MSIL has unveiled a new vehicle XA Alpha, a concept for compact SUV at the 11th Auto Expo being held at New Delhi. With the launch of the new concept vehicle and unveiling of MPV Ertiga on January 6, MSIL plans to expand its presence in the utility vehicle segment (UV), which is currently dominated by Mahindra and Mahindra.
At the current price of Rs.933, MSIL stock trading at 12.4x FY2013E earnings. We believe the recent correction in the stock price (~20% post 2QFY2012 results) factors in the impact of demand slowdown and labor problems on FY2012E volume growth and concerns regarding the adverse currency movement on  margins. Thus, we continue to maintain our Accumulate rating on the stock with a target price of Rs.1,051.

Economic and Political News (edited)
- Weekly food inflation plunges to negative 3.36%
- Inflation may fall below 7% by March 2012: PM advisory panel
- Interest rates have peaked as inflation slows: RBI
- No threat to cancel license of any airline: DGCA
- Government to reach out to consumer bodies for FDI in retail

Corporate News
- RIL gas output dips below 39mmcmd in the week ended December 25, 2011
- M&M to invest Rs.800cr in Korean arm, SsangYong Motors, to develop products
- M&M to launch SUV Rexton in India in the next six months
- ONGC finds gas reserves off Daman

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