Low A&P spends boost margins
We maintain Hold rating on Info Edge given the uncertainty in the recruitment
business, continued losses in non-recruitment vertical and expectations of further
investment in Zomato. Q2FY14 results were above expectations on the back of
strong 44.8% growth in non-recruitment vertical and A&P mere 11.2% of sales (2nd
lowest in 30 quarters) helped the company post 19.3% YoY (13.5% above
expectations) increase in operating profit with PAT being flat on the back of lower
other income and high taxes. We believe the growth in the recruitment vertical was
due to an increase in market share and healthy demand from IT services vertical
even though the environment continues to remain challenging.
We maintain Hold rating on Info Edge given the uncertainty in the recruitment
business, continued losses in non-recruitment vertical and expectations of further
investment in Zomato. Q2FY14 results were above expectations on the back of
strong 44.8% growth in non-recruitment vertical and A&P mere 11.2% of sales (2nd
lowest in 30 quarters) helped the company post 19.3% YoY (13.5% above
expectations) increase in operating profit with PAT being flat on the back of lower
other income and high taxes. We believe the growth in the recruitment vertical was
due to an increase in market share and healthy demand from IT services vertical
even though the environment continues to remain challenging.