While brokerages lauded Bajaj Auto's stellar earnings report for January-March, many maintained a 'sell' rating on the stock, citing target prices significantly lower than the current market value
The S&P BSE Sensex fell over 100 points while the Nifty50 closed above the 22,450 level. Sectors like consumer durables, oil & gas, the public sector, and utilities, saw buying while IT, telecom and banks saw some selling pressure.
Today is the last day to buy Bajaj Auto shares for participating in the Rs 4,000 crore buyback offer. The record date to participate in the buyback is February 29. The buyback price is 18% higher than Tuesdays closing price of Rs 8,462 on BSE. The acceptance ratio in the retail category could be between 4% to 10%. The company has steady ROCE and stable revenue growth.
Under the offer, Baja Auto will buy 40 lakh fully paid-up equity shares of the company at Rs 10,000 per equity share. However, the aggregate amount that will be used for buyback of shares will not be more than 4,000 crore.
Bajaj Auto shares reached a 52-week high of Rs 7,499 despite scepticism from Kotak Institutional Equities and Nuvama. Kotak maintained a 'Sell' rating, citing a high valuation, while Nuvama reiterated a 'Hold' stance. JM Financial remained positive, citing a favorable product mix and strong domestic demand. Bajaj Auto reported a 37% YoY growth in net profit for Q3, beating estimates.
The company’s operating margin before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA margin) rose by 29 basis points sequentially to 20.1% in the third quarter of the current fiscal year even though the volume share of the three-wheelers segment, which has superior margin, in the total volume dropped by 230 basis points to 10.2%. In addition, the EBITDA per vehicle at Rs 20,232 was at par with the last quarter’s level though the average selling price fell 1.4% to Rs 100862 per unit.
Bajaj Auto Q3 Results: Bajaj Auto reported a 37% YoY growth in Q3 net profit, beating estimates. Revenue from operations increased by 30% YoY. The company posted its highest-ever quarterly EBITDA and improved margins significantly. The robust revenue growth was led by acceleration in the domestic business, with volume-led revenue growth. Domestic two-wheeler volumes jumped 44% YoY.
Bajaj Auto's buyback size represents 40 lakh shares or 1.41% of the total number of equity shares of the company. Currently, promoter and promoter group entities hold 54.94% stake in Bajaj Auto, and foreign institutional investors hold 14.72%.
Bajaj Auto plans to repurchase shares at a premium of 43 per cent, setting the buyback price at Rs 10,000 per share, a sizeable increase from the previous day's closing price of Rs 6,983.85.