Hero Honda + Tata Motors Sales Skid

Auto sales have been on a decline. Sales of Bike Major Hero Honda was down from 2,35,314 sold in June-06 to 2,01,191 units in July 2007. A decline of 14.5%.

Hero Honda Net profit dipped 20.14% to Rs 189.84 crore in Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006. Sales inched up 3.3% to Rs 2447.99 crore in Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006.

Tata Motors’ vehicle sales fell 6.6% in July 2007 to 42,098 units over July 2006. Sales of commercial vehicles dropped 3.8% to 20,705 units in July 2007 over July 2006. Exports fell 17% to 4,382 units.

Net profit rose 22.2% to Rs 466.76 crore in Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006. Sales moved up 4.7% to Rs 6056.82 crore in Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006.

Reliance Energy wins Damodar Valley Project

After successfully winning the Sasan ultra mega power project in Madhya Pradesh, for setting up the 4,000 mega watts plant in Madhya Pradesh, Reliance Energy has emerged as the sole bidder for a Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) power project in Purulia district of the West Bengal.

Reliance Energy is due to sign a letter of intent with DVC within a fortnight for 1,300 MW coal based power plant. The company is planning to invest Rs 5,000 crore over the next three years in the project.

Reliance Energy’s investment in Sasan UMPP is expected to be Rs 20,000 crore.

Buy Reliance Energy on Decline.

Apollo Hospitals to set up a multi speciality hospital

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise has announced that the company has been in negotiation with British American Investment (Mauritius) (BAI) for associating in a joint venture for setting up a multi speciality hospital on a state land provided by Government of Mauritius. The joint venture company, British American Hospitals Enterprise (BAHEL) has been formed and joint venture agreement between the company, BAI, BAI Medical Centres (BMCL), subsidiary of BAI. The said BAHEL has been entered into on 31 July 2007 in this regard. The company will be holding 26% of the total equity capital of joint venture company and the balance 74% will be held by BMCL.

Indian Hotels + VSNL

Net profit of Indian Hotels Company rose 42.23% to Rs 54.76 crore in Q1June 2007 over Q1 June 2006. Sales were up 34.65% to Rs 346.50 crore Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006.

The current market price of Rs 140.15 discounts its Q1 June 2007 annualised EPS of Rs 3.63, by a PE multiple of 38.6.

VSNL’s net profit rose 18.22% to Rs 104.16 crore in Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006. Total income soared 88.49% to Rs 1035.45 crore in Q1 June 2007 over Q1 June 2006.

The current market price of Rs 448 discounts its Q1 June 2007 annualised EPS of Rs 14.62, by a PE multiple of 30.64.

Reduce – Unitech, Parsvnath and Ansal Properties

Results of Unitech, Parsvnath Developers and Ansal properties and Infrastructure have been below Dalal Street expectations. Here is recommendation from Citi research.

Unitech Ltd:
Unitech’s standalone 1Q FY08 revenue and earnings recorded strong growth in 1Q, with volumes pre-sold at higher price realizations early on, now recognized in 1Q FY08. On a consolidated basis revenues and earnings were higher, but 10% lower than estimates. New residential project launches in Kolkatta, Gr.Noida, where price realizations are lower, we believe margins will decline to ~50% by FY08-09E.

Pre-sale volumes are down significantly, particularly in Delhi/NCR. Primary sale prices are stagnating, but secondary-market prices are down 15-20% across markets; and potential supply risk remains.

While Unitech’s scale, low-risk/high return model deserves 10% premium, with stock already trading at 37% premium to NAV of Rs391, upside looks priced in. Valuations do not leave any margin for error from potential execution delays; as a result risk/reward looks unfavorable. Reduce Unitech as estimated Target price is Rs 430.

Parsvnath Developers Ltd:
Parsvnath reported a strong 1QFY08 with stand-alone revenues growing 40% YoY to Rs3462m, EBITDA growing 104% YoY to Rs1138m and net profit growing 131% YoY to Rs845m. Consolidated revenue of Rs4035m and PAT of Rs1022m were, however, below estimates.

Key risks include, concentration in Tier II and III cities, with high exposure to the NCR region and high share of plotted development that lacks pricing power.

Sell with the stock currently trading at an 8% premium to our NAV estimate of Rs 328 per share.

Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd:
Ansal Properties reported mixed results with stand-alone revenues declining 2% YoY but EBITDA and net profit growing 17% and 15% YoY respectively. The company reported consolidated revenues of Rs1827m, EBITDA of Rs532m and net profit of Rs325m, but no comparables available.

Key Concerns include concentration in NCR and Tier III cities in the North, where the risk of prices softening is high; high dependence on plotted development and risk of delays in large township projects, particularly Dadri (27% of our NAV value), is high as land is still being acquired. Ansal API is already trading below its fair value / NAV of Rs 300.

In a separate development, S&P has said that Indian Realty Stocks are the Most Expensive in the World.

Buy Sterlite + Hindustan Zinc

Citigroup has initiated coverage on Sterlite Industries with a BUY 1M [Medium Risk] rating and a price target of Rs 910, potential upside of 45% from CMP of Rs 621.

Sterlite is a conglomerate producing non-ferrous metals – zinc,aluminium and copper. Zinc is Sterlite’s best-performing business. Prices have been relatively subdued this year, but supply from China to moderate over the coming months, enabling prices to recover in 2HFY08 to ~US$4,400/t. Citi sees upside to FY09E forecasts, based on buoyancy in zinc and lead prices. Despite flat aluminium prices, Citi expects moderate earnings growth in Balco, in which Sterlite currently owns 51%.

Sterlite operates a copper smelter for which the key profit driver is TC/RC margins, which are expected to halve from FY07 levels to 14-15c/lb, and EBITDA from Rs11.6bn in FY07 to ~Rs8bn in FY08E-FY09E. Given this, and sector re-rating, Citi values Sterlite Industries stock at a P/E of 10x FY09E, a premium to historical valuations.

Hindustan Zinc Ltd [HZL]:
Citi has initiated coverage on Hindustan Zinc with a BUY recommendation and a price target of Rs 1155, potential upside of 62%.

HZL is a fully integrated, low-cost zinc producer which meets all zinc concentrate requirements internally; offering exposure to the robust zinc price outlook. HZL also offers volume growth, scope for cost cutting, and exposure to buoyancy in lead prices.

Production costs are low as 90% of ore is sourced from its low-cost Rampura Agucha mine. Ongoing capex should enhance zinc capacity by 63% from 411,000t to 669,000t by 1Q FY09, useful at a time when zinc prices are likely to revive.

Based on outlook and sector re-rating due to global M&A, our target is Rs1,155 based on a P/E of 10x FY09E.

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