Expect the margins to expand in FY22E – Solar Industries

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Excerpts of an interview of Mr. Manish Nuwal, CEO, Solar Industries with CNBC-TV18 dated 28^th May 2021:

• Speaking about Q4FY21 performance, Mr. Nuwal said, the numbers had grown on a low base of Q4FY20. Compared on a normal base, the volume has grown ~24%.
• In Q4FY21, sales had a growth of ~45% YoY, this was led by volume growth of ~13% and a price increase of 25%. On the international side, the business is performing as per expectations.
• The company expects a 30% revenue growth in FY22E.
• Speaking about defence business, he said the business was impacted due to the Covid crisis. Currently, the order book is Rs 6,800mn, and the company recently received an order of multimode hand grenades. The production has already started for multimode hand grenades. The numbers will reflect in FY22E.
• The target is to receive Rs 3,000mn revenue from defense in FY22E.
• In terms of incremental defence order, he said the company will participate in the coming RFPs (request for proposal) to grow the order book.
• Speaking about EBITDA margins, he said going forward the company expects the margins to expand in FY22E. EBITDA margins stood at 21% in Q4FY21.
• In FY22E, the company plans to spend Rs 3,150mn on Capex.
• The working capital cycle days have also improved from 113 days to 108 days in FY21. The target is to bring it down to 100days.
• The debt levels are comfortable and the company is planning for aggressive Capex in the next 2 years. The company announced the setting up of 2 new plants. 1 in south India and the other in North India.
• The plants are expected to get commissioned within 2 years.

Asset Multiplier comments:

• We believe order book in the defense segment will aid revenue growth in FY22E which in turn might lead to EBITDA margin expansion.
• The target to lower working capital days will improve the cash conversion cycle and lead to effective utilization of cash.

Consensus Estimate: (Source: market screener website)

• The closing price of Solar Ltd was ₹ 1,550 as of 31-May 2021.  It traded at 38x/32x the consensus Earnings per share estimate of ₹ 40.9/49 for FY22E/FY23E respectively.
• The consensus average target price is ₹ 1,463/- which implies a PE multiple of 30x on FY23E EPS of 49/-.

Disclaimer: “The views expressed are for information purposes only. The information provided herein should not be considered as investment advice or research recommendation. The users should rely on their own research and analysis and should consult their own investment advisors to determine the merit, risks, and suitability of the information provided.”