Havells India misses quarterly estimates amid weak demand, rising competition

(Reuters) -Home appliances and electrical goods maker Havells India reported first-quarter profit below analysts’ estimates on Monday, due to subdued demand and heightened competition.

Consolidated net profit came in at 3.48 billion rupees ($40.33 million) for the quarter ended June 30, down from 4.08 billion a year ago, and missing the LSEG consensus estimate of 4.06 billion rupees.

Revenue from operations declined nearly 6% to 54.55 billion rupees, while total expenses dropped 5% to 50.55 billion rupees as input costs fell.

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KEY CONTEXT

India’s wires and cables market is bracing for disruption next year, with UltraTech Cement and Adani-backed Praneetha Ecocables set to enter the fray.

To fend off the rising competition, Havells has stepped up investments in distribution and brand-building efforts, analysts have said.

Meanwhile, a shorter summer dented demand for air conditioners sold under Havells’ Lloyd brand, the company said.

PEER COMPARISON

Valuation (next 12 Estimates (next 12 Analysts’ sentiment

months) months)

RIC PE EV/EBI Price/ Revenue Profit Mean No. of Stock to Div

TDA Sales growth (%) growth (%) rating* analyst price yield

s target** (%)

Havells India 50.36 33.64 3.78 13.53 20.01 Buy 25 0.86 0.66

Polycab India 41.54 28.38 3.16 17.49 17.99 Buy 28 1.04 0.50

R R Kabel 35.98 22.37 16.50 29.99 Buy 9 0.92 0.50

V Guard Industries 39.19 26.46 13.34 22.78 Buy 17 0.91 0.38

* The mean of analyst ratings standardised to a scale of Strong Buy, Buy, Hold, Sell, and Strong Sell

** The ratio of the stock’s last close to analysts’ mean price target; a ratio above 1 means the stock is trading above the PT

APRIL TO JUNE STOCK PERFORMANCE

— All data from LSEG

— $1 = 86.2830 Indian rupees

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)