loader2
Partner With Us NRI
EPL Ltd>
  • CMP : 177.3 Chg : -0.15 (-0.08%)
  • Target : 175.0 (10.06%)
  • Target Period : 12-18 Month

25 May 2022

Delay in price hikes hit EBITDA margin…

About The Stock

EPL is the world’s largest manufacturer of laminated plastic tubes (~8 billion tubes annually) catering to the FMCG and pharma space.

  • Oral care segment contributes ~54% of total topline while the rest comes from the personal care category          
  • Focus on debt reduction, improving RoE, RoCE (~15%, 16%, respectively)
Q4FY22 Results

Price hike delay takes toll on EBITDA margin.

  • EPL reported ~287 bps YoY (107 bps QoQ) fall in gross margin mainly due to higher raw material cost and delay in passing on the same. As a result, the EBITDA margin declined 213 bps YoY (60 bps QoQ) to 15.1%
  • Consolidated revenue growth of ~9% YoY to ₹ 880 crore led by Amesa & Americas segment growth of ~14% & 12% YoY, respectively
  • PAT fell 14% YoY to ~₹ 50 crore tracking lower EBITDA margins
What should Investors do?

EPL’s share price has given a negative return of ~38% over the past five years (from ~₹ 259 in May 2017 to ~₹ 159 level in May 2022).

  • We maintain our HOLD rating on the stock
Target Price & Valuation

We value EPL at ₹ 175 i.e. 8x EV/EBITDA on FY24E EBITDA

Key Triggers for future price performance
  • Performance of Amesa     region has been a laggard (FY18-21), mainly due to lower volume offtakes. However, consolidation of Creative Stylo and improved product mix would help drive revenues of the region
  • Performance of EAP and European regions has remained volatile amid pandemic led challenges. This, coupled with improved revenue contribution from personal care segment, would help drive future margins
  • Expansion into Brazil will help drive future revenue growth
Alternate Stock Idea

We like Shaily Engineering under our coverage.

  • We build-in strong revenue CAGR of 31% in FY21-24E led by capacity expansion and client addition
  • BUY with target price of ₹ 2165

Key Financial Summary

(Rs# Crore) FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 5 Year CAGR(FY17-FY22) FY23E FY24E 2 Year CAGR (FY22-FY24E)
Net Sales 2,706.9 2,761.5 3,091.6 3,432.8 0.1 3,737.9 4,077.3 9.0
EBITDA 499.1 557.6 611.1 576.0 0.1 679.8 777.7 16.2
EBITDA Margin (%) 18.4 20.2 19.8 16.8 - 18.2 19.1 -
PAT 195.4 211.6 244.3 221.2 0.0 272.0 334.3 22.9
EPS (|) 6.2 6.7 7.7 7.0 - 8.6 10.6 -
P/E(x) 25.7 23.7 20.5 22.7 - 18.5 15.0 -
Price /Book Value (x) 3.6 3.2 2.9 2.8 - 2.7 2.6 -
EV/EBITDA (x) 10.9 9.3 8.6 9.5 - 7.9 6.8 -
RoE (%) 13.9 14.0 14.8 12.1 - 14.7 17.1 -
RoCE (%) 16.8 15.3 16.2 12.6 - 15.9 18.5 -
Source: Company, ICICI Direct Research

Key takeaways of recent quarter & conference call highlights

Q4FY22 Results:

  • Consolidated revenue increased ~9% YoY to | 880 crore led by ~14% and ~12% YoY growth in the Amesa and Americas regions, respectively. EAP and Europe regions revenues grew albeit a slow pace of ~7% and 4% YoY to | 197 crore and | 209 crore, respectively
  • Sharp increase in raw material prices (up in the range of 16-56% YoY in Q4FY22) and delay in passing on of the same (pass through with a quarter lag) dragged gross margin down ~287 bps YoY. The EBITDA margin declined ~213 bps YoY (58 bps QoQ) to 15% led by lower gross margins
  • PAT declined 14% YoY tracking lower EBITDA margin and higher interest outgo (up 32% YoY) during Q4FY22
  • Amesa regions (36% of re venues) revenue increased 14%YoY to | 314 crore led by customer addition. The reported EBIT margin declined 70 bps YoY to 8.8% owing to higher raw material prices
  • EAP region (25% of revenues) revenue growth at ~7% YoY to | 197 crore was hit by lower volume offtake in China due to pandemic led lockdowns. The segment EBIT margin declined ~360 bps YoY to 8.1% due to higher raw material prices and low operating leverage
  • America region (21% of revenues) witnessed revenue growth of ~12% YoY to ~| 196 crore, supported by easing of travel related restrictions (which helped drive travel tube demand). Reported EBIT margin declined 190 bps YoY to 9.6% tracking higher RM costs and employee costs
  • Europe region (22% of revenues) witnessed slower revenue growth of ~4% YoY to | 209 crore, mainly due to low demand of personal care products. The EBIT margin declined 450 bps YoY to ~5% due to higher raw material prices and labour charges

Q4FY22 Earnings Conference Call highlights

  • Demand Outlook:
    • The management maintained its guidance for double-digit revenue growth supported by revival of business in Amesa, EAP and Americas
    • The company expects revenue growth in coming years from business in Brazil on account of commitment received from a global customer but the meaningful impact on revenue from Brazil operations is expected to start from FY24E
    • Business in Europe was affected by Covid led disruptions. However, with easing restrictions and lower Covid Cases, revival of business is expected in this region from Q1FY23E
    • Lockdowns in China have impacted the company’s operations in EAP region adversely. However, with the opening up of economy, the company expects higher volume offtake from EAP region
  • Margins:
    • Higher raw material costs in a volatile environment along with inflationary pressure impacted margins negatively
    • The management expects EBITDA margin to go up supported by taking price hikes to recover raw material costs along with an improved product mix
Variance Analysis

  Q4FY22 Q4FY21 YoY(%) Q3FY22 QoQ (%) Comments
Revenue 880.2 810.2 8.6 883.4 -0.4 Revenue growth was largely driven by AMESA and Americas regions. The oral care category revenue increased by 8% YoY
Other Income 2.2 3.0 -26.7 3.1 -29.0  
Raw Material Exp 405.1 349.6 15.9 397.1 2.0 Delay in passing of price hikes results in 287bps drop in gross margin YoY
Employee Exp 161.8 157.6 2.7 169.6 -4.6  
Manf & Other exp 180.2 163.2 10.4 178.0 1.2  
EBITDA 133.1 139.8 -4.8 138.7 -4.0  
EBITDA Margin (%) 15.1 17.3 -213 bps 15.7 -58 bps Savings in employee costs restricted the overall fall in EBITDA margin at 213 bps YoY (58 bps QoQ)
Depreciation 63.1 60.1 5.0 64.2 -1.7  
Interest 11.4 8.6 32.6 10.3 10.7  
 PBT bef excp items  60.8 74.1 -17.9 67.3 -9.7  
Profit from associ 0.0 -0.2 -100.0 -0.6 -100.0  
PBT 60.8 74.1 -17.9 67.3 -9.7  
Total Tax 10.7 15.5 -31.0 8.2 30.5  
PAT 50.1 58.4 -14.2 58.5 -14.4 PAT decline is attributable to higher interest costs and lower EBITDA margin
             
Key Metrics            
AMESA 314.0 276.6 13.5 322.5 -2.6 Favourable base and new customer addition helped drive segment revenue
EAP 197.1 184.9 6.6 245.9 -19.8 Pandemic led lockdown hit volume offtake in China
Americas 196.4 174.9 12.3 189.9 3.4 Demand recovery in the personal care products helped drive overall segment revenue growth in Q4
 Europe      208.6     200.2           4.2     173.2        20.4 Low demand of personal care products drags overall revenue growth in the region

Terms & conditions and other disclosures

ANALYST CERTIFICATION

I/We, Sanjay Manyal, MBA (Finance) and Hitesh Taunk, MBA (Finance) Research Analysts, authors and the names subscribed to this report, hereby certify that all of the views expressed in this research report accurately reflect our views about the subject issuer(s) or securities. We also certify that no part of our compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendation(s) or view(s) in this report. It is also confirmed that above mentioned Analysts of this report have not received any compensation from the companies mentioned in the report in the preceding twelve months and do not serve as an officer, director or employee of the companies mentioned in the report.

Terms & conditions and other disclosures:

ICICI Securities Limited (ICICI Securities) is a full-service, integrated investment banking and is, inter alia, engaged in the business of stock brokering and distribution of financial products.

ICICI Securities is Sebi registered stock broker, merchant banker, investment adviser, portfolio manager and Research Analyst. ICICI Securities is registered with Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India Limited (IRDAI) as a composite corporate agent and with PFRDA as a Point of Presence. ICICI Securities Limited Research Analyst SEBI Registration Number – INH000000990. ICICI Securities Limited SEBI Registration is INZ000183631 for stock broker. ICICI Securities is a subsidiary of ICICI Bank which is India’s largest private sector bank and has its various subsidiaries engaged in businesses of housing finance, asset management, life insurance, general insurance, venture capital fund management, etc. (“associates”), the details in respect of which are available on www.icicibank.com.

ICICI Securities is one of the leading merchant bankers/ underwriters of securities and participate in virtually all securities trading markets in India. We and our associates might have investment banking and other business relationship with a significant percentage of companies covered by our Investment Research Department. ICICI Securities and its analysts, persons reporting to analysts and their relatives are generally prohibited from maintaining a financial interest in the securities or derivatives of any companies that the analysts cover.

Recommendation in reports based on technical and derivative analysis centre on studying charts of a stock's price movement, outstanding positions, trading volume etc as opposed to focusing on a company's fundamentals and, as such, may not match with the recommendation in fundamental reports. Investors may visit icicidirect.com to view the Fundamental and Technical Research Reports.

Our proprietary trading and investment businesses may make investment decisions that are inconsistent with the recommendations expressed herein.

ICICI Securities Limited has two independent equity research groups: Institutional Research and Retail Research. This report has been prepared by the Retail Research. The views and opinions expressed in this document may or may not match or may be contrary with the views, estimates, rating, and target price of the Institutional Research.

The information and opinions in this report have been prepared by ICICI Securities and are subject to change without any notice. The report and information contained herein is strictly confidential and meant solely for the selected recipient and may not be altered in any way, transmitted to, copied or distributed, in part or in whole, to any other person or to the media or reproduced in any form, without prior written consent of ICICI Securities. While we would endeavour to update the information herein on a reasonable basis, ICICI Securities is under no obligation to update or keep the information current. Also, there may be regulatory, compliance or other reasons that may prevent ICICI Securities from doing so. Non-rated securities indicate that rating on a particular security has been suspended temporarily and such suspension is in compliance with applicable regulations and/or ICICI Securities policies, in circumstances where ICICI Securities might be acting in an advisory capacity to this company, or in certain other circumstances.

This report is based on information obtained from public sources and sources believed to be reliable, but no independent verification has been made nor is its accuracy or completeness guaranteed. This report and information herein is solely for informational purpose and shall not be used or considered as an offer document or solicitation of offer to buy or sell or subscribe for securities or other financial instruments. Though disseminated to all the customers simultaneously, not all customers may receive this report at the same time. ICICI Securities will not treat recipients as customers by virtue of their receiving this report. Nothing in this report constitutes investment, legal, accounting and tax advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to your specific circumstances. The securities discussed and opinions expressed in this report may not be suitable for all investors, who must make their own investment decisions, based on their own investment objectives, financial positions and needs of specific recipient. This may not be taken in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment by any recipient. The recipient should independently evaluate the investment risks. The value and return on investment may vary because of changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates or any other reason. ICICI Securities accepts no liabilities whatsoever for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Investors are advised to see Risk Disclosure Document to understand the risks associated before investing in the securities markets. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in projections. Forward-looking statements are not predictions and may be subject to change without notice.

ICICI Securities or its associates might have managed or co-managed public offering of securities for the subject company or might have been mandated by the subject company for any other assignment in the past twelve months.

ICICI Securities or its associates might have received any compensation from the companies mentioned in the report during the period preceding twelve months from the date of this report for services in respect of managing or co-managing public offerings, corporate finance, investment banking or merchant banking, brokerage services or other advisory service in a merger or specific transaction.

ICICI Securities encourages independence in research report preparation and strives to minimize conflict in preparation of research report. ICICI Securities or its associates or its analysts did not receive any compensation or other benefits from the companies mentioned in the report or third party in connection with preparation of the research report. Accordingly, neither ICICI Securities nor Research Analysts and their relatives have any material conflict of interest at the time of publication of this report.

Compensation of our Research Analysts is not based on any specific merchant banking, investment banking or brokerage service transactions.

ICICI Securities or its subsidiaries collectively or Research Analysts or their relatives do not own 1% or more of the equity securities of the Company mentioned in the report as of the last day of the month preceding the publication of the research report.

Since associates of ICICI Securities and ICICI Securities as a entity are engaged in various financial service businesses, they might have financial interests or actual / beneficial ownership of one percent or more or other material conflict of interest in various companies including the subject company/companies mentioned in this report.

ICICI Securities may have issued other reports that are inconsistent with and reach different conclusion from the information presented in this report.

Neither the Research Analysts nor ICICI Securities have been engaged in market making activity for the companies mentioned in the report.

We submit that no material disciplinary action has been taken on ICICI Securities by any Regulatory Authority impacting Equity Research Analysis activities.

This report is not directed or intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction, where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law, regulation or which would subject ICICI Securities and affiliates to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction. The securities described herein may or may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain category of investors. Persons in whose possession this document may come are required to inform themselves of and to observe such restriction

Read More