APSEZ Q2FY24 Highlights: Robust Growth in Cargo Volumes Despite Forex Losses

Company Name: Adani port & SEZ Ltd | NSE Code: ADANIPORTS | BSE Code: 532921 | 52 Week high/low: 912/395 | CMP: INR 832 | Mcap: INR 1,79,637 Cr | PE: 22.7x

Company Overview:

APSEZ, part of the Adani Group, is India’s largest private port operator, initially known as Gujarat Adani Port Limited (GAPL). Operating since 2001, it has expanded to manage 14 ports/terminals across India. In FY23, APSEZ held a 24% market share, handling 339mmt of cargo. Noteworthy acquisitions include Gangavaram, with three more ports under construction. The company also offers logistics and SEZ services through its subsidiary, ALL, providing end-to-end solutions and agri-storage through silo capacities nationwide.

Diversified portfolio with market leadership – 24% market share:

Over the past decade, APSEZ has demonstrated an impressive 10-year cargo volumes Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14%, which is three times the industry’s growth rate of 4%. From FY13 to FY23, India’s cargo volumes experienced a modest 4% CAGR increase to reach 1,433 MMT, while APSEZ significantly outpaced this, achieving a remarkable 14% CAGR, resulting in cargo volumes of 337 MMT in FY23. This outstanding performance can be attributed to strategic expansions at Mundra, the successful commissioning of Hazira, and strategic acquisitions, including ports such as Dhamra, Krishnapatnam, and Gangavaram. In FY23, APSEZ handled an impressive 339 MMT of cargo at its ports, solidifying its dominance with a substantial 24% market share.

Robust growth in overall cargo volumes driven by container cargo, dry cargo & liquid-gas:

APSEZ achieved a robust 14% YoY growth in cargo handling, reaching 203 million metric tonnes. Growth was observed across all major categories: dry bulk (10% YoY), liquids (21% YoY), and containers (18% YoY). Eight ports hit their highest half-yearly volumes. Mundra port led with 3.6 million TEUs, surpassing competitors by 15%. In October, Mundra set a record with 16 million metric tonnes, the highest monthly volume in any Indian port. Haifa Port in Israel handled 6.3 million metric tonnes in H1 and 1.1 million metric tonnes in October.

Robust Volume growth in the first half boosted revenue – 27% YoY:

In Q2FY24, the company reported a robust 27.5% YoY (+6.38% QoQ) revenue growth, reaching 6,646 Cr. This growth was fueled by a 17% YoY increase in overall cargo volumes, totaling 101.2 MMT in Q2FY24 and 14% YoY growth to 203 MMT in H1FY24. Notably, all three major cargo categories contributed to this expansion, with dry bulk at 10% YoY, liquids at 21% YoY, and containers at 18% YoY.

EBITDA Surges Amidst Margin Pressure from Forex Losses

In Q2FY24, EBITDA demonstrated a robust YoY growth of 26.7% (slightly down by -2.7% QoQ) to reach 3,664 Cr. However, EBITDA margins experienced a slight decline of 35 bps YoY (500 bps QoQ) to 55.1%, primarily attributable to a forex loss of 216 Cr during the quarter. Adjusting for the forex loss, the EBITDA stands at an impressive 7,429 crores, showcasing a commendable 49% YoY growth.The company’s strategic focus on enhancing operational efficiency is evident in the port EBITDA margins for H1, which expanded by 220 basis points YoY, reaching an impressive 72%. Furthermore, the logistics business boasted EBITDA margins of 29%, positioning it as the best among its domestic peer group.

Key concall highlights

➡️The company successfully completed bond buybacks of $130 million in May and $195 million in October.
Consequently, the net debt as of September 30 decreased to $38,696 million compared to $39,989 million on March 31.

➡️The addition of assets to the logistics business led to a 25% YoY increase in rail volumes to 279,177 TEUs and a 42% YoY Valuation and key ratio S bulk volumes to MMT in Q2FY24.

Valuation and key ratio

The current stock valuation indicates a 22.7x earnings per share (EPS) multiple (TTM) of 29.3 Rs at the market price of 832 Rs, with the industry PE at 34.1x. APSEZ leads peers in EV/EBITDA multiple at 15.2x, while the industry median of 15.2x. Trailing twelve-month ROE and ROCE are 14.4% and 9.53%, respectively. The interest coverage ratio at 5.1x signifies strong solvency.

Q2FY24 result update: Consolidated

➡️In Q2FY24, the company witnessed a robust 27.5% YoY (+6.4% QoQ) increase in revenue, reaching 6,646 Cr, driven by substantial growth in cargo volume.

➡️EBITDA showed a 26.7% YoY growth (-2.7% QoQ) at 3,664 Cr, with EBITDA margins at 55.1%, down by 35 bps YoY (-500 bps QoQ), primarily due to a forex loss stemming from increased foreign currency debt.

➡️Adjusted for forex loss, EBITDA surged by 49% YoY, reaching 7,429 Cr in the first half of the year. Port EBITDA margins in H1 expanded by 220 basis points YoY to 72%, while logistics business EBITDA margins stood at 29%, leading the domestic peer group.

➡️Operating profit (EBIT) increased by 32% YoY (-4.5% QoQ) to 2,689 Cr, with EBIT margin expanding by 140 bps YoY but contracting by 450 bps QoQ to 40.5%.

➡️PAT reported a modest 1.4% YoY growth (-16.9% QoQ) at 1,762 Cr, influenced by one-time expenses related to MAT credit amounting to 455 Cr during the quarter. PAT margin decreased by 680 bps YoY (-740 bps QoQ).

➡️EPS for the quarter stood at 8.16 Rs, compared to 9.81 Rs in the previous quarter.

Conclusion:

APSEZ, a leading private port operator in India, exhibited robust performance in Q2FY24 with a 27.5% YoY revenue growth, driven by a 17% YoY increase in cargo volumes. Despite margin pressure from forex losses, the company’s strategic focus on efficiency is evident in impressive EBITDA margins. The logistics business outperformed peers with a 29% EBITDA margin. The Q2FY24 PAT growth was modest due to one-time expenses. The company’s diversified portfolio, strategic acquisitions, and focus on operational efficiency position it well in the market.

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