HDFC Securites has come out with its top Diwali stock picks. (Image:Reuters)
Even as you plan to buy a sweets, new clothes, cars and maybe even a new house, include these five stocks to your shopping list to brighten your Diwali. HDFC Securities has come up with their top five stocks to bet on in Samvat 2074. According to the research and brokerage firm, “Our Diwali picks of 2016 have generated an average 26.7% return over the year (after considering two stocks in the negative) compared to Nifty rising about 12.6% during the previous Samvat. This year, HDFc Securities says that their Diwali picks will benefit after factoring the fundamental transitions underway in India’s economy. We take a closer look at the five stocks.
“We think that the worst faced by the auto sector first due to the BS-IV emission norms and then due to the destocking on account of advent of GST, is already past. With the recovering demand in the auto sector, rising incomes in the rural sector, better branding programs, new product developments/introductions through JVs, good regulatory environment for the 3Ws, Bajaj Auto is set to benefit. This will further improve the return ratios and may help it achieve better valuations.” HDFC Securities has a target price of Rs 3,820 on the shares of Bajaj Auto Ltd by next Diwali. Shares of Bajaj Auto closed at Rs 3,237.75 on Monday afternoon. The target price implies an upside of more than 18% from current market prices.
HDFC Securities says that Birla Corporation is slated to benefit as the demand for cement is likely to rise in the coming months, on the back of near-normal monsoon. “The acquisition of Reliance Cement has provided an entry to BCL in the central region, apart from the north and east. The proposed greenfield expansion would take care of the west, making it a formidable player in the industry. Various cost reduction measures like use of pet coke, alternative fuels, higher use of fly ash and slag are likely to result in higher growth in EBITDA/tonne. Its jute business is turning around. Given the fact that post the proposed expansion, it would become the 5th largest cement company in India, we feel it deserves to get a higher valuation,” HDFC Securities noted. The research firm has a target price of Rs 1,220, implying an upside of 22% from the current market prices. Birla Corporation shares closed at Rs 1,000 this afternoon.
The Hyderabad-based drug maker recently received environmental clearance for modernisation of its bulk drug unit. According to HDFC Securities, early clearance of Unit I in the recent inspection and INR depreciation against the USD could lead to higher margins. “The management has guided for flattish revenue growth for the rest of the year, and profitability that will be lower than FY17 owing to remediation costs. However, most of these negatives are already in the price. Early resolution of IA/clearance of the two units could lead to a much better FY19. Its stock price could get rerated, based on events/developments.” The firm has a target price of Rs 1,070, implying an upside of more than 22% from the current market prices.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company
The company has very strong financials, attractive RoE and dividend payout ratio, says HDFC Securities. The expense ratio is very low, and shows a declining trend. “Ipru is currently trading at 3.7x P/EV for FY17, which is lower than the recent listing of SBI Life insurance at 4.1x P/EV for FY17. Our target 1-yr fwd multiple of 3.8x FY19E P/EV yields 12M target price of Rs 520,” the research and brokerage firm said in its report. The shares closed at Rs 395 this afternoon.
The final stock on the radar of HDFC Securities is this global software company, specialising in product and technology services. “Company is seeing good traction in the partnership driven digital business as well as direct deal wins. Persistent has been securing multi-year multi-million dollar deals. We believe Persistent is one of the best players in the Mid Cap IT universe; recommend BUY at Current Market Price of Rs 645, and add on dips to Rs 595 with Target Price of Rs 780 (~16x FY19E EPS),” said HDFC Securities in its report.
