7 September 2012
Update
Capital Goods
Key Beneficiaries
BHEL
Commodity price volatility: Identifying winners
BHEL, Thermax and Cummins key gainers; L&T relatively insulated
Thermax
The prices of industrial commodities have declined sharply in USD terms. In INR terms, the
price increases have moderated, and in several cases, prices have stabilized. This should
have a positive impact on the EBITDA margins of capital goods companies.
Given the backdrop of continuously increasing raw material prices till the end of Dec'11,
we believe capital goods companies would have factored in continued cost inflation at the
time of project bidding. Stable raw material prices will support profitability, especially of
long gestation projects.
BHEL, Thermax and Cummins gain the most from benign/softening industrial commodity
prices, given the higher manufacturing component. L&T is better positioned to manage
the volatility in international commodity prices, given its diversified raw material basket.
ABB/Siemens have a high component of traded/project business - unfavorable currency
movements have been offsetting a large part of the gains from softening international
commodity prices.
Over a longer term we believe that a scenario of increasing commodity prices is more
beneficial for capital goods companies, particularly those exposed to industrial commodities
as it results in an improvement in the demand environment. L&T remains our top pick.
Strong co-relation: RM costs have responded to drastic price changes, while gradual movements
are managed through adjustments in product prices
- RHS
Cummins
Source: Company,MOSL
BHEL & Cummins have highest manufacturing component - key beneficiaries
RM Cost (% of sales)
In our coverage universe, BHEL has the lowest raw material cost at 57%, indicating
increased manufacturing content and relatively higher value addition being captured
in-house. This competitive advantage is also reflected in its EBITDA margin being the
highest in our coverage universe at 20%. Cummins' raw material cost stands at 65% of
revenue, indicating higher share of manufacturing and is reflected in superior EBITDA
margins at 17-18%. We believe that the current scenario of declining commodity prices
in USD terms and INR depreciation has meaningfully improved the competitive
positioning of BHEL and Cummins. The competition's cost base is largely composed of
imported equipment, putting pressure on margins. In contrast, domestic value
addition constitutes a significant part of BHEL and Cummins' cost base, providing
support to margins.
1
Satyam Agarwal
(AgarwalS@MotilalOswal.com) +91 22 3982 5410
Deepak Narnolia
(Deepak.Narnolia@MotilalOswal.com) +91 22 3982 5126
Investors are advised to refer through disclosures made at the end of the Research Report.