Shree Cement Ltd
Q4 FY24 Earnings Call Analysis
Cement & Cement Products
margin: Category 3orderbook: No informationfundraise: No informationcapex: Yesrevenue: Category 3
π°fundraise
Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?
- The company has raised around Rs. 2,500 crores just before the pandemic.
- Due to the pandemic, capex programs were delayed for about 2 years.
- Currently, there is a very aggressive capital expenditure program underway to reach 80 million tons capacity by 2030.
- Most of the existing cash raised is expected to be utilized for the capex program.
- For the next full year, capex is expected in the range of INR 3,300 to INR 3,500 crores.
- No specific mentions or guidance on new fundraising through debt or equity at present.
- Management is focused on organic growth using internal accruals and existing cash resources.
- Special dividends considered only if surplus cash remains after major capex in 3-4 years.
ποΈcapex
Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?
- Shree Cement has an aggressive capital expenditure (capex) program aiming to reach 80 million tons capacity by 2030, primarily through organic growth.
- Current projects include:
- 3 million ton unit in Purulia, West Bengal nearing completion (expected by Jun 2023).
- Integrated cement unit at Nawalgarh, Rajasthan to be completed by Q3 FY 2023-24 (one quarter ahead).
- Integrated cement unit in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh expected by Q2 FY 2024-25 (one quarter ahead).
- Capex spent in first 9 months of current fiscal: INR 2,200 crores; expected additional INR 700-800 crores in Q4; total ~INR 2,900 crores.
- Estimated capex for next fiscal year: INR 3,300 to INR 3,500 crores.
- Investment in establishing railway sidings across plants to increase rail dispatches from current 12%.
- Significant investments in digitalization and IT systems (CRM app, SAP).
- Adding solar power capacityβ43 MW expected in coming months, with a total renewable share of 52% currently.
- No immediate inorganic growth plans; focus remains on organic expansion unless profitable opportunities arise.
πrevenue
Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?
- Shree Cement targets cement capacity expansion from 55 million tons to 80 million tons by 2030 through organic growth, with new locations like Kutch and Jaisalmer in pipeline, pending statutory clearances.
- The company aims for a conservative volume CAGR of around 6%-6.5%, with potential for faster growth but prioritizing steady pace over aggressive expansion.
- Demand in India is expected to remain strong at 6%-8% CAGR, driven by infrastructure initiatives and government spending (e.g., INR 10 lakh crore allocation in Union Budget).
- Trade sales currently constitute 78%-80%, with plans to increase premium product sales from 7% to 15% over next 3-4 quarters.
- Management focuses on strengthening brand positioning and improving realizations to sustain growth.
- No specific full-year guidance on pricing due to market uncertainties; sequential quarterly improvements seen in volume and realization.
πmargin
Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?
- Shree Cement plans to grow cement capacity from 55 million tons to 80 million tons by 2030, targeting a conservative CAGR around 6%-6.5%.
- The company aims for steady volume growth, focusing on maintaining brand strength and premium product sales (targeting premium sales to increase from 7% to 15% in next 3-4 quarters).
- EBITDA per ton currently around INR 881; management expects to approach four-digit EBITDA per ton levels in coming quarters but avoided firm guidance on reaching INR 1,200-1,500.
- Realizations increased 2% year-on-year and 1% quarter-on-quarter, indicating moderate pricing improvements.
- Cost reduction initiatives include increasing use of agricultural and industrial waste to improve thermal substitution rate (targeting 15% TSR in 12 months), rail siding investments, and renewable energy additions.
- Capex is aggressive (~INR 3,300-3,500 crores next year) focusing on organic growth, with inorganic growth considered opportunistically but not factored into current targets.
- Dividend expected to increase progressively but likely constrained in near term due to capex commitments.
πorderbook
Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?
The provided transcript of Shree Cement's Q3 FY23 earnings call does not mention any details regarding current, expected order book, or pending orders. Therefore, no specific information about orders is available in the document. The focus of the call and discussion includes topics such as capacity expansion plans, pricing, cost optimization, brand building, renewable energy initiatives, financial performance, and industry outlook, but order-related data is not disclosed.
