MEP Infrast.
Q2 FY18 Earnings Call Analysis
Transport Infrastructure
revenue: Category 3margin: Category 3orderbook: Yesfundraise: Yescapex: Yes
💰fundraise
Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?
- The company plans equity infusion aligned with loan requirements for new SPVs; significant equity is expected initially and as per loan/concession agreement needs (Page 13).
- Total equity requirement for four new projects is about Rs. 500 Crores over 2 to 2.5 years; Rs. 400 Crores equity already infused, balance Rs. 150-175 Crores to be infused as projects progress (Page 13).
- For funding the equity in new HAM projects, MEP will contribute 51%, with 49% by joint venture partner LongJian Road & Toll Pvt Ltd. A maiden QIP raised Rs. 163 Crores in April to meet equity needs, with further funding via QIP, internal accruals, and EPC margins (Page 12).
- Financial closure for four projects is expected soon, involving a mix of private and public sector banks and infrastructure institutions; no plans for NBFC borrowing currently (Page 7).
- Debt is expected to rise marginally but not substantially with new financial closure (Page 6).
🏗️capex
Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?
- Significant equipment buyout occurred last year; current capex will align with project requirements, especially for the new four HAM projects (Page 11).
- Equity infusion for the four new HAM SPVs will primarily be funded through a combination of QIP proceeds, internal accruals, and EPC margins; Rs.163 Crores raised through maiden QIP in April 2018 to meet equity requirements (Page 11).
- Total equity requirement for four new projects estimated at around 12%-14% of the project cost (~Rs.500 Crores over 2 to 2.5 years) (Page 13).
- Current six projects have had a substantial equity infusion (~Rs.400 Crores already infused, with Rs.150-175 Crores balance equity to be infused as per loan drawdown schedules) (Page 13).
- Company expects marginal increase in debt related to balance sheet borrowings but no significant rise even after equity infusion (Page 6).
- Future bidding expected for additional projects with potential order inflows in the Rs.1000 Crores range (Page 7).
📊revenue
Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?
- FY2019 tolling revenue expected to be over Rs. 2,000 Crores.
- EPC revenue projected between Rs. 1,400 to 1,500 Crores for FY2019.
- Construction segment turnover increased; targeting run rate push to achieve timely project completions.
- EPC segment EBITDA margins expected around 15%-17%, though slight dip anticipated in next 3-4 quarters, offset by new projects.
- Order book stands around Rs. 7,000 Crores; plans to bid for additional Rs. 1,000+ Crores projects in the last quarter of FY2019.
- Anticipation of robust HAM project bidding pipeline with 10 projects (6 ongoing, 4 near financial closure).
- Exploring opportunities in TOT projects and PWD EPC contracts.
- Overall focused on sustainable, risk-mitigated growth with efficient execution and calibrated business approach.
📈margin
Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?
- Q1 FY2019 showed strong performance with consolidated revenue of Rs.840.7 Crores, EBITDA Rs.166.6 Crores, and PAT Rs.26.1 Crores.
- Tolling revenue for FY2019 expected to be Rs.2000 Crores+; EPC revenue around Rs.1400-1500 Crores.
- EPC margins anticipated to remain stable overall; slight dip expected in next 3-4 quarters but new projects will balance margins.
- Equity infusion and financial closure of 4 new HAM projects underway; funding through QIP, internal accruals, and EPC margins.
- Company focused on efficient monetization of HAM portfolio post-construction phase to fuel future growth.
- Pipeline includes bidding for new EPC and HAM projects, and participation in TOT projects, indicating steady order book growth.
- Tolling operations expected to resume soon post suspension, with claims to cover revenue loss.
- Industry outlook positive with government emphasis on execution, offering long-term growth opportunities.
📋orderbook
Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?
- Current order book is around Rs. 7,000 Crores (70 billion).
- The company plans to bid for a couple of new construction projects in the last quarter of the financial year, targeting an additional Rs. 1,000 Crores.
- Actively evaluating bidding opportunities for the second phase of TOT projects.
- Evaluating partnerships before deciding the bidding approach (alone or with partners).
- Pipeline includes 10 HAM projects with work started on six, and financial closure expected soon for four more.
- Continuing to bid on short-term EPC and tolling projects, though competition remains aggressive.
- Long-term focus includes bidding for future hybrid annuity projects and EPC projects to sustain growth.
