ADD on Kansai Nerolac - Performance lags leader - HDFC Securities
Posted On:
Mr. Jay Gandhi, Institutional Research Analyst, HDFC Securities
KNPL s 3Q performance (18% YoY; Rs. 14.7bn vs HSIE: Rs. 14.3bn) was nothing to scoff at. However, it s decorative segment (volume/value growth estimated at 23/18.6%) did lag that of market leader APNT (33/26% YoY). Industrial Coating grew at 17% (off a low base). Performance gap was attributed to higher primers/putties sold by the leader. GM expansion lagged that of APNT s (93bp YoY to 39.2% vs APNT +207bp) as mix continues to normalise in favour of low-margin industrials business. While the all-round demand recovery is heartening, RM inflation could weigh on profitability, going forward (already factored in). We largely maintain our EPS estimates and DCF-based TP of Rs. 650/sh (implying 51x Sept-22 P/E).