09-04-2021 09:42 AM | Source: ICICI Direct
Buy Varun Beverages Ltd For Target Rs.950 - ICICI Direct
News By Tags | #2334 #872 #3961 #1302 #3723

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Covid-19 again adversely sways summer season…

About the stock Varun Beverages (VBL) is one of the largest franchisees of PepsiCo in the world. The company produces & distributes carbonated drinks, juices & packaged drinking water in six countries including. Some of the PepsiCo brands produced by VBL include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Seven-Up, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, Nimbooz, String, Slice, Tropicana, Aquafina, among others.

* The company has operations in India (except Andhra Pradesh, J&K & Ladakh), Sri Lanka, Nepal, Morocco, Zambia & Zimbabwe.

 

Q1CY21 Results: VBL reported a partial recovery in Q1FY22 results.

* Sales were up 49.4% YoY on a low base quarter

* EBITDA was at | 570.8 crore, up 51.1% YoY, with margins at 23.3%

* Consequent PAT was at | 318.8 crore (up 123% YoY)

 

What should investors do?

Varun Beverage share price has given 4x return (from | 195 in November 2016 to | 789 in August 2021).

* We roll over CY23 numbers with the expectation of full sales recovery in next two years

* We maintain our BUY rating on the stock.

Target Price and Valuation: We value the stock at | 950, valuing the business 22x CY23 EV / EBITDA.

 

Key triggers for future price performance:

* With the expected recovery in Covid-19 cases & vaccination drive, we expect VBL to clock optimum volumes in the 2022 peak summer season with operating margins perking up due to operating leverage.

* The company has launched several new brands in last two years i.e. String, ‘Mountain Dew ICE’, milk based beverages. New products would drive revenues, going forward.

* Given no major capex in the medium term, VBL would be able to completely de-leverage its balance sheet in the next three to four years with strong free cash flow generation.

 

Alternate Stock Idea: We also like Zydus Wellness in our FMCG coverage

* It is growing at a steady pace in nascent categories with a strong presence in health, nutrition space and margin expansion possibilities

* Trading at a significant discount to FMCG peers. BUY with TP of | 2,800

 

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