Quess Corp
BSE SENSEX
35,907
S&P CNX
11,017
1 February 2018
Update
| Sector:
Others
CMP: INR1,022
TP: INR1,300(+27%)
Acquires assets from Monster and HCL
One employment-related and one new service line
Buy
Stock Info
Bloomberg
Equity Shares (m)
52-Week Range (INR)
1, 6, 12 Rel. Per (%)
M.Cap. (INR b)
M.Cap. (USD b)
Avg Val, INRm
Free float (%)
n
QUESS IN
145
1199 / 630
-18/3/24
143.4
2.3
125.0
28.3
n
n
QUESS announced two acquisitions: (1) Monster’s India, South East Asia and Middle
East business, and (2) ‘Care Business’ of HCL Services from HCL Infosystems.
As seen in the past, valuations for both these transactions are significantly lower
than those commanded by QUESS. For Monster, that can be explained by stagnant
revenue and absence of profitability, and for the Care Business by low profitability.
Although our revenue estimates for FY19/20 have moved higher by 2.8%, a low
margin profile and cash outflow offset that, leaving our numbers unchanged.
Financials Snapshot (INR b)
2017 2018E 2019E
Y/E Mar
43.1
59.4
81.3
Net Sales
2.4
3.4
5.2
EBITDA
1.3
3.1
4.8
PAT
9.9
22.1
32.7
EPS (INR)
40.4 124.2
47.7
Gr. (%)
73.8 179.4 222.2
BV/Sh (INR)
21.0
21.7
21.0
RoE (%)
13.8
18.2
18.4
RoCE (%)
99.8
44.5
30.1
P/E (x)
13.4
5.5
4.4
P/BV (x)
Shareholding pattern (%)
As On
Dec-17 Sep-17 Dec-16
Promoter
71.7
81.5
89.0
DII
4.5
2.4
2.2
FII
7.3
5.3
4.2
Others
16.6
10.8
4.6
FII Includes depository receipts
Stock Performance (1-year)
Quess corp
Sensex - Rebased
1,200
1,050
900
750
600
Transaction #1 – Monster.com
n
Monster is an online portal that provides job search services to registered users
and recruitment solutions to clients. It has a workforce of 600 across the three
geographies. Monster Worldwide is owned by Randstad.
n
The three entities together had revenue of USD26m in CY16, and have not seen
growth since CY14. Combined profitability, we reckon, would be slightly in the
red.
n
The entities would be acquired for an Enterprise Value of up to USD14m (0.5x
trailing revenue) and the transaction is expected to be completed by 4QFY18.
n
The acquisition would complement QUESS’ presence in HR services and pose
opportunities for value addition to its existing customers.
Transaction #2 – HCL Computing Products
n
The Care Business of HCL Services, a subsidiary of HCL Infosystems, is a
network of 80 walk-in centers, >200 authorized service providers and a
workforce of over 1,400, involved in after-sales services for mobile phones,
consumer electronics and consumer durables.
n
The business clocked INR1.9b in revenue in FY17 and has exhibited 20% CAGR
over the last two years. Given a high pass-through component in the business,
margins would be in low single digits.
n
It is being acquired for a cash consideration of up to INR300m (0.2x trailing
revenue, ~5x trailing EBITDA).
n
The acquisition will add a new service line for QUESS, opening up opportunities
in the aftermarket space. Its existing relationships with OEMs through other
businesses can be leveraged to further scale up the business.
Maintain Buy
We value QUESS using DCF to arrive at a TP of INR1,300 (27% upside); our TP is
unchanged by the acquisition. Valuations are rich, given its strong growth history
and continued aggressive thrust on acquisitions. Over FY18-20, we expect
revenue/EBITDA/PAT CAGR of 28/37/40%, led by our assumption of 20% growth in
organic business and incremental contribution by recent acquisitions. Long-term
prospects stand bright, given high-growth opportunities, aggression shown on
expansion and flawless execution.
Maintain Buy.
Investors are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.
Motilal Oswal research is available on www.motilaloswal.com/Institutional-Equities, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Capital.
Sagar Lele
(Sagar.Lele@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 6129 1531
Ashish Chopra
(Ashish.Chopra@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 6129 1530