30 September 2013
Update | Sector: Cement
Ambuja Cements
BSE Sensex
19,380
S&P CNX
5,735
CMP: INR184
TP: INR188
Neutral
Synergy benefits can drive up to 14% EPS upgrade
Structure reduces equity dilution, increases EPS accretion
Stock Info
Bloomberg
Equity Shares (m)
52-Week Range (INR)
1, 6, 12 Rel. Per (%)
M.Cap. (INR b)
M.Cap. (USD b)
ACEM IN
1,544.9
221/148
6/2/-15
284.4
4.6
Proposed restructuring is value neutral for Ambuja Cements (ACEM), ex synergies
and hold-co discount. Cash usage limits equity dilution, and offers better upside
once benefits of synergies start percolating.
Synergies of INR7.8b-9b (8-10% cost savings) are likely to support profitability (4-
14% EPS accretion in CY14/CY15) and dilute our concerns over gradual decline in
subsidy benefits post CY15. We expect synergies of 20%/50% in CY14/CY15.
Balance sheet is likely to remain self-sustaining, despite usage of cash for stake
purchase. We expect net cash to reduce from ~INR35b in CY14 pre-deal
(standalone) to ~INR27b in CY14 post-deal (consolidated).
Financials & Valuation
Y/E March
Sales
EBITDA
NP
Adj. EPS (INR)
EPS Gr. (%)
BV/Sh. (INR)
RoE (%)
RoCE (%)
Payout (%)
Valuations
P/E (x)
P/BV (x)
EV/EBITDA (x)
EV/Ton (USD)
(INR b)
2013 2014E 2015E
96.7 94.6 109.3
24.7
15.4
10.0
23.1
56.9
18.3
27.6
49.8
18.4
3.2
9.7
138
18.7
12.8
8.3
1.1
61.4
14.0
20.2
51.3
22.3
3.0
12.9
135
24.3
16.7
10.8
8.3
67.0
16.9
24.2
48.3
17.0
2.8
9.7
127
While investors are concerned about hold-co discount for ACEM’s stake in ACC, we
believe ACC’s higher payout and operating control by Ambuja may off-set concerns
pertaining to normal hold-co structure.
We are yet to factor in for this deal and resultant synergies. However, based on
our preliminary estimates, ACEM trades at 8.9x CY14E EV/EBITDA and EV/ton of
USD111. Maintain Neutral, with a revised target price of ~INR188.
Restructuring fair at valuations for ACEM
Holcim’s restructuring transaction, in our view, proposes at-par valuation for
ACEM (ex INR9b of guided synergy benefits and hold-co discount). Cash usage in
deal structure limits equity dilution. Compared to an all-share deal, it is EPS
decretive immediately, but offers better upside, once benefits of synergies and
up-cycle start percolating.
Price as on 27 Sep 2013
Shareholding pattern %
As on
Promoter
Dom. Inst
Foreign
Others
Jun-13 Mar-13 Jun-12
50.6
10.2
32.0
7.3
50.6
8.6
33.5
7.4
50.2
12.4
29.9
7.5
Balance sheet remains self-sustaining despite cash usage
We expect ACEM’s balance sheet to remain self-sustaining, despite INR35b cash
outgo, as a net debt situation will arise only if ACEM goes for additional 10%
stake purchase in ACC. We expect net cash to reduce from ~INR35b in CY14 pre-
deal (standalone) to ~INR27b in CY14 post-deal (consolidated).
Synergies to drive profitability, potential ~14% EPS upgrade in CY15
The management expects to derive INR7.8b-9b of synergy benefits (8-10% cost
savings) comprising (1) INR3.5b-4b from supply chain optimization (cement and
clinker swap), and (2) INR4.5b-5b from shared services, procurement and fixed
cost reduction. The benefits would accrue over the next 2-3 years and would
offset gradual reduction in subsidy, driving 5%/4% EPS accretion in CY14/CY15
(after factoring impact of cash outgo). We expect material swap to also (a)
enable volume synergies by lowering regional capacity constraints, and (b)
improve market mix by expanding reach. We are factoring in for synergy benefits
of 20%/50% in CY14/CY15; entire benefits would accrue only in CY16.
Stock Performance (1-year)
Jinesh Gandhi
(Jinesh@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5416
Sandipan Pal
(Sandipan.Pal@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5436
Investors are advised to refer through disclosures made at the end of the Research Report.