Expect impact of high rubber prices in 4QFY21 – Ceat

Update on the Indian Equity Market:
The Indian markets witnessed a volatile monthly expiry day as Nifty opened the day higher but managed to close 57 points lower at 11,673. Within the index, the gainers were led by ASIANPAINT (3.1%), TECHM (2.2%), and ULTRACEMCO (2.0%) whereas LT (-4.9%), TITAN (-3.4%), and ONGC (-2.9%) were the laggards. Among the sectoral indices, only IT (0.5%) closed the day in green while MEDIA (-1.7%), AUTO (-1.1%), and PHARMA (-0.9%) led the laggards.
Excerpts of an interview with Mr. Anant Goenka, Managing Director, Ceat Ltd (Ceat) published on CNBC-TV18 dated 28th October 2020:
The company is witnessing a very large demand in the months of October and November from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). The demand seems challenging from 4QFY21E onwards.
Raw material prices are inching up for the past few days. The increased rubber prices will start coming into effect around 4Q onwards. This will have a negative impact on margins.
He said that the rural economy has done well for the company. The farm sector has shown 50-60 percent growth in the replacement segment. The revenues are also back to 90 percent of pre-COVID levels. The higher demand is a mix of pent-up demand and a lot of other aspects.
The higher profitability margins during 1HFY21 were led by favorable mix and t is expected to come down in 2nd half of FY21E.
The company has completed a capex of Rs 2,500-3000mn YTD (Year-to-Date) and the figure will be around Rs 5,000mn by the end of FY21E and Rs 6,000 mn for FY22E.
Ban on Chinese tyres has impacted the PCR replacement demand. However, he said that OEMs are allowed to import Chinese tyres.
Consensus Estimate: (Source: market screener website)
The closing price of Ceat was ₹ 1,123/- as of 29-Oct-2020. It traded at 22x/ 16x/ 14x the consensus EPS estimate of ₹ 51/ 72/ 78 for FY21E/ FY22E/ FY23E respectively.
The consensus target price of ₹ 1,014/- implies a P/E multiple of 13x on FY23E EPS of ₹ 78/-.
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