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Capacity debottlenecking leads to robust volume performance
Balkrishna Industries (BKT) reported a robust Q2 FY12 performance in line with our
expectations. Net revenues grew by 42% yoy and 16% qoq of which 13% came from
volumes, while the rest came from growth in realizations. Volumes for the quarter
were at 32,439 MT, up 22% yoy. The robust volume growth sequentially came on the
back of brownfield expansion at its Bhiwadi and Chopanki plants. This increased the
achievable capacity to 144,000 MTPA, a rise of 20,000 MTPA. With Bhuj capacity
commencing in 3Q FY13, we expect to see a surge in volumes in FY 13 and doubling
of volumes in FY 14. BKT has an order book of 70,000 MTPA, worth Rs 14.5 bn which
is equivalent to 6.5 months of volume visibility, thus boosting our confidence in the
company. BKT seems to be insulated from the macro concerns, especially in the
Europe, which contributed 49% of total sales constant with its figure in Q1, while
Americas were at 23%, Asia at 14% and ROW at 14%.
Margin performance to improve hereon on price hikes taken and easing
rubber prices
EBITDA margins grew 30bps sequentially at 18.4% on softening rubber prices and
price hikes taken at different times during the year, despite other expenses to sales
increased sequentially due to increased marketing efforts in Europe to the tune of
Rs50 mn. PAT came in 24% yoy and 12.7% qoq at Rs632mn on robust operational
performance. Viewing a softening of NR prices on demand supply gap of NR
narrowing, BKT has reduced its NR inventory from 6.5 months to 3 months six months
back, thus gaining advantage of the falling rubber prices. In spite of taking significant
price hikes over the year, BKT’s product prices are still at 30-35% discount to market
leaders, thus providing BKT an edge over its peers in times of slowdown and also
allows it to take any further price hikes if required. The company has indicated that
they are planning to take price hikes in some geographies. With rubber prices expected
to move down further from current levels, management is expecting an improvement
in margin performance. With prices of crude and its derivatives still at a high, we do
not envisage a significant jump in margins this year. We estimate them to stay in the
similar range of Q2, i.e. 18.4% and improve in FY 13 to 18.8%.
Strong agri replacement demand is the growth engine
Healthy replacement demand mainly in the agri segment(66% of volumes)is the
major revenue driver for BKT. Inspite of the slowdown in the mainstream auto segment,
agri demand has not taken a hit. Owing to BKT’s presence in the agri sector, the
company has witnessed a market share hike of 0.5% to 3.5% over the last one year
and aims to reach 6% by 2015. Strengthening of business in the CIS countries,
Russia and India will drive the business further. In H1 FY12, ROW segment which
includes all these countries expanded by 15% yoy, while Europe grew by 11.6% yoy
and Asia grew by 2% yoy. Americas which includes developing countries of Latin
America grew by a whopping 34% yoy.
