NMDC reported strong performance in 4QFY2011. Net revenue at `3,770cr was ahead of our estimates of `2,914cr on account of higher-than-expected sales volume and iron ore realisation, while net profit at `2,099cr was in line with our estimate of `2,039cr. We recommend Reduce on the stock.
Strong performance despite higher costs: Net sales grew by 90.1% yoy to `3,770cr due to higher iron ore realisation and sales volume. Sales volume for the quarter grew by 23.3% yoy to 8.4mn tonnes and realisation increased by 54.2% yoy to `4,470/tonne. EBITDA increased by 98.6% yoy to `2,739cr as EBITDA margin expanded by 312bp yoy to 72.7% despite higher freight cost and export duty. There was a provision write-back of `64cr on account of wage revision included in other income, which increased by 80.5% yoy to `443cr. Consequently, net profit increased by 96.9% yoy to `2,099cr in 4QFY2011.
Outlook and valuation: Prices of iron ore have declined slightly in the domestic market in the last two months. During May 2011, NMDC had announced that it would cut prices of iron ore fines by 15%. Moreover, NMDC’s volume growth remains at risk on account of Naxal activity in some of its mines. We have lowered our margin estimates for FY2012 and FY2013 in light of higher-than-expected selling costs reported in 4QFY2011. The stock is currently trading at 8.8x FY2012E and 7.1x FY2013E EV/EBITDA. Valuing the stock at 6.5x FY2013E EV/EBITDA, we derive a target price of `241. Hence, we recommend a Reduce rating on the stock.