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  • Stock Recommendation | Hindustan Zinc - REDUCE - Target price : 265

    Publish date: OCTOBER 23, 2018

    Broadly in line. HZ's EBITDA of Rs23.3 bn (-23% yoy, -14% qoq) was broadly in line with our estimate. The sequential decline was led by lower zinc production (-6% qoq) and lower metal prices (-4 to -13% qoq). The company is on track to ramp-up underground mines towards 1.2 mtpa capacity over next 1-2 years-expect meaningful volume growth from FY2020 onwards. We tweak our cost and volume estimates and cut TP to Rs265 (Rs280 earlier). We maintain REDUCE rating on expensive valuations (7X FY2020E EBITDA) and subdued outlook on zinc prices due to narrowing deficit.

    HZ's EBITDA of Rs23.3 bn (-23% yoy, -14% qoq) was broadly in line with our estimate (KIE: Rs24 bn). The sequential earnings decline was due to (1) a 6% qoq decline in zinc sales volumes to 160,000 tons (-17% yoy), and (2) lower realization of zinc (-13% qoq), lead (-7% qoq) and silver (-4% qoq). Even though HZ's mined metal volumes increased 9% qoq to 232,000 tons (+6% yoy) on ramp-up of underground mines, the refined zinc output declined by 6% qoq to 162,000 tons (-16% yoy) due to lower zinc mined metal availability in the early half of the quarter. This essentially means HZ is carrying higher zinc mined metal inventories from increase production in the latter half of the quarter which will boost 2HFY19 production. Lead production increased 17% qoq to 49,000 tons while silver production increased 25% qoq to 172 tons-increase in silver production was led by higher lead output, increased production from SK mines.
    Production costs increased 14% yoy to Rs72,449/ton (US$1,034/ton, +5% yoy) due to a combination of lower volumes, high fuel costs and wage costs. Net-income of Rs18.2 bn (-29 % yoy, -5% qoq) was 5% higher than the estimate due to a lower effective tax rate of 20.2%.

    Management expects 2HFY19 mined metal production to be significantly higher than 1HFY19 led by ramp-up of underground mines; note that 1HFY19 mined metal output declined by 2% yoy to 444,000 tons. Management has maintained guidance of FY2019E production to be marginally higher than FY2018-this means that HZ will produce at least 500,000 tons in 2HFY19. HZ expects 4QFY19 mined metal run-rate to be closer to 300 kt and FY2020E mined metal volumes to increase to 1.2 mtpa (as close as possible but at least 1.1 mtpa of volumes).

    HZ expects production costs in 2HFY19 to decline to US$950-975/ton (US$1,039/ton in 1HFY19) aided by higher volumes, higher linkage coal sourcing and improved grades from ramp-up of RA mines. We tweak our cost and volumes estimates resulting in 3-12% cut in our earnings estimate for FY2019-21E; part of the cut also reflects lower other income due to a fall in cash reserves as the company declared interim dividend of Rs20/share. Our TP is revised to Rs265 (from Rs280 earlier). Our REDUCE rating reflects our cautious outlook on zinc prices due to the start of few large zinc mines globally and consequent narrowing supply deficit.

    Changes in our estimates
    Exhibit 7 highlights key changes in our estimates.
    We cut our mined metal volumes by 1-4% to 960,000 tons, 1,150,000 tons and 1,190,000 tons for FY2019E, FY2020E and FY2021E. We also tweak our cost estimates resulting in 1- 6% cut in our EBITDA estimate to Rs120 bn, Rs129 bn and Rs147.5 bn for FY2019E, FY2020E and FY2021E. Our EPS estimate is cut by 3-12% to Rs20.1, Rs21 and Rs23.8 for FY2019E, FY2020E and FY2021E.
    Our target price of Rs265/share is based on 6X FY2020E EBITDA. It includes cash reserves pertaining to interim dividend payout of Rs20/share (record date: October 31, 2018)-our TP will be reduced by such amount post dividend payment.
    Other highlights, key takeaways from conference call
    Cost increases by 4% qoq-to decline for rest of the year. HZ's production costs increased 4% qoq to Rs72,449/ton (+14% yoy) due to (1) lower volumes, (2) high mine development expense, and (3) increase in commodity prices. Fuel costs increased during the quarter due to lower receipt of linkage coal. Besides, we also highlight that mining has large fixed costs and lower volumes which result in adverse operating leverage- higher volumes in the rest of the year should aid cost reduction. The management expects production costs at US$950 - 975/ton in 2HFY19 (US$1,039/ton in 1HFY19).
    Increase in silver production. The silver production is expected at 650 - 700 tons (310 tons in 1HFY19). The increase in silver production will be led by higher ore production from SK mine which has rich silver grades.
    FY2019E capex at US$400-450 mn. HZ will spend US$400 mn towards mine expansion projects and US$50 mn on other projects which includes fumer, solar and smelter debottlenecking.
    Cash reserves-increased to Rs233 bn (Rs55/share). HZ's cash reserves increased to Rs233 bn (Rs55/share) in September 2018 from Rs213 bn in June 2018 (Rs50/share). We note that the company earned cash profit of Rs22.7 bn during the quarter.
    Expansion project update. HZ highlighted that planning for next phase of expansion to 1.35 mtpa from 1.2 mtpa is underway. The updates on existing expansion projects include:
    Rampura Agucha-mined metal production from underground mines increased 35% qoq to 96,000 tons in the quarter. The commercial production from the main production shaft is expected to start from 4QFY19.
    Sindesar Khurd-the material hoisting from the production shaft is expected from current quarter. HZ also expects a 1.5 mtpa mill at SK mine to be commissioned in this quarter.
    Zawar mines-the 2 mtpa mill is expected to be commissioned by 4QFY19.
    Rajpura Dariba-this mine has received environmental clearance by MOEF to increase production to 1.08 mtpa from 0.9 mtpa; regulatory approvals are awaited for expansion to 2 mtpa.


    Definitions of ratings

    BUY - We expect this stock to deliver more than 15% returns over the next 12 months.
    ADD - We expect this stock to deliver 5-15% returns over the next 12 months.
    REDUCE - We expect this stock to deliver -5-+5% returns over the next 12 months.
    SELL - We expect this stock to deliver

    Our target prices are also on a 12-month horizon basis.


    Other definitions

    Coverage view. The coverage view represents each analyst's overall fundamental outlook on the Sector. The coverage view will consist of one of the following designations: Attractive, Neutral, Cautious.


    Other ratings/identifiers

    NR = Not Rated. The investment rating and target price, if any, have been suspended temporarily. Such suspension is in compliance with applicable regulation(s) and/or Kotak Securities policies in circumstances when Kotak Securities or its affiliates is acting in an advisory capacity in a merger or strategic transaction involving this company and in certain other circumstances.
    CS = Coverage Suspended. Kotak Securities has suspended coverage of this company.
    NC = Not Covered. Kotak Securities does not cover this company.
    RS = Rating Suspended. Kotak Securities Research has suspended the investment rating and price target, if any, for this stock, because there is not a sufficient fundamental basis for determining an investment rating or target. The previous investment rating and price target, if any, are no longer in effect for this stock and should not be relied upon.
    NA = Not Available or Not Applicable. The information is not available for display or is not applicable.
    NM = Not Meaningful. The information is not meaningful and is therefore excluded.


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