CESC - Stable quarter - Q3FY22 Result Update - ICICI Securities

CESC has reported steady earnings in its consolidated business in Q3FY22. Its revenues were up 15.3% YoY to Rs31.1bn while PAT increased 1.5% YoY to Rs3.3bn. On standalone basis, revenues were up 5.1% YoY to Rs18.6bn while PAT increased 1.1% YoY to Rs1.8bn. Key factors impacting the consolidated profits during Q3FY22 included: 1) lower RoE for Kolkata distribution business since the tariff order remains pending, due to which incremental RoE is not being booked; 2) high merchant prices boosting Chandrapur's profit by 79% YoY; 3) lower demand at Rajasthan DFs eroding profits by 91% YoY; 4) 7.8% YoY decline in Haldia's profit due to a one-time cost-reduction exercise in FY21, which benefitted Q3FY21 profit; 5) 17.4% increase in Noida Power's profit due to increase in CESC's stake. CESC has declared an interim dividend of Rs4.5/sh, which translates into a payout of 64% of 9MFY22 EPS of Rs7.1/sh. Surya Vidyut sale and Chandigarh discom handover are expected to be completed in FY22. Maintain BUY.

• Kolkata distribution business performed well, but higher PPC and fuel cost offset gains: Standalone revenues were up 5.1% YoY to Rs18.6bn while PAT was up 1.1% to Rs1.8bn, mainly due to lower RoE for Kolkata distribution business as the tariff order remains pending, due to which incremental RoE is not being booked. For the consolidated business, revenues were up 15.3% YoY at Rs31.8bn while PAT increased 1.5% YoY at Rs3.3bn, boosted by 200% increase in other income at Rs1.3bn and 10.2% decline in interest expense at Rs2.7bn. Volumes at Kolkata distribution were up 0.7% at 2,173MU and T&D losses reduced by 50bps to 8.5%. Standalone generation was up 2.7% at 1,242MU. Power purchase declined 2% YoY to 1,242MU.
• High merchant prices boost Chandrapur's profit: For Chandrapur, even though volumes declined 23.3% YoY, profit was up 79% at Rs500mn mainly due to higher merchant prices during the quarter, which have now normalised. Haldia's volumes were lower by 4.6% YoY and its profit declined by 7.8% YoY to Rs830mn, mainly due to one-time cost reduction exercise during FY21, which benefitted Q3FY21 profit. Chandrapur unit-1's PPA with Maharashtra for the supply of 185MW is extended up to 31st Mar'22. Company has also bid to supply 210MW for three years in a medium-term power purchase tender floated by the Railway Energy Management Company (REMCL).
• Distribution franchise losses increase due to lower volumes: For 9MFY21, Rajasthan DF's revenue / post-tax loss were at Rs12.5bn / Rs190mn, up 6.1% / 72.7% YoY, mainly due to lower volumes. At Malegaon DF, loss declined to Rs410mn from Rs540mn in 9MFY21 due to reduction in AT&C losses to ~35% from 50% at the time of takeover in Mar'20. Noida Power's profits were up 17.4% YoY in Q3FY22 and 12.9% YoY in 9MFY22 mainly due to increase in CESC's stake in the subsidiary.
• Chandigarh discom takeover expected in the current fiscal: Our initial calculations indicate an IRR of 9-10% (including terminal value) at the bid value of Rs8.2bn which, though expensive, will help CESC expand its distribution footprint, and make it one of the key bidders in future discom privatisations, especially in Punjab (due to proximity).
• Maintain BUY with an unchanged target price of Rs120. The stock is currently trading at FY24E P/E of 7.5x, P/BV of 1x, and the annual dividend yield is expected to be 5-6% over the next 2-3 years. CESC has declared an interim dividend of Rs4.5/sh for FY22.

Source : Equity Bulls

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CESC Q3FY22 ResultUpdate ICICISecurities