Apollo Tyres (ATL), India’s premier tyre company which is currently ramping up its capacities to 1,000TPD from 744TPD in India (through both green and brown-field additions, entailing an investment of Rs 1, 000cr) is well-positioned to take advantage of the revival in the domestic and global auto industries. Further, the substantial decline in the prices of natural rubber and other crude related raw materials from their peak levels in 1HFY2009 is expected to boost ATL’s profitability going ahead. Also, we expect ATL stands to benefit on account of a demand-supply mismatch in the cross-ply segment on account of the existing players concentrating on building new radial facilities which would lead to better realisations in cross-ply segment thereby improving its margins and profitability in the long term.
Further, in May 2009, Apollo acquired 100% shareholding of Vredestein Banden (VBBV), a Dutch tyre manufacturing company, with a production capacity of 5.5mn tyres and enjoying a market share of 1.67% in the European market. This acquisition is expected to add further impetus to the company’s growth in overseas markets. At Rs 42, the stock is currently trading at 6.4xFY2011E Earnings. We recommend a Buy on the stock with a Target Price of Rs 53.
|
