Star Cement Ltd

Q1 FY23 Earnings Call Analysis

Cement & Cement Products

Full Stock Analysis
capex: Yesrevenue: Category 3margin: Category 3orderbook: No informationfundraise: Yes
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fundraise

Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?

- Star Cement is planning a peak debt of about INR 500 crores for its ongoing expansion. - This peak debt is expected to be repaid within one year after the commencement of the expanded capacity, targeting debt-free status by March 2025. - For FY24, the company anticipates CAPEX of approximately INR 1,300 crores and about INR 400 crores in FY25. - No specific mentions of new equity fundraising were made in the provided transcript. - Overall, the company expects to rely mainly on manageable debt for expansion without extending beyond INR 500 crores and aims to repay it quickly.
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capex

Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?

- FY24 CAPEX planned at about ₹1,300 crores. - FY25 CAPEX expected to be around ₹400 crores. - Current expansion includes the Meghalaya clinker plant (3 million tons) commissioning planned for January next year. - Grinding units: Guwahati unit to commission by November this year; Silchar unit in August-September next year. - Total ongoing expansion outlay approximately ₹2,200 crores. - Peak debt related to expansion capped at around ₹500 crores, expected to be repaid within a year post commencement. - Future growth beyond Northeast will involve acquiring mines or small plants (minimum capacity ~1.5 to 2 million tons). - Management aims for a 5-to-10-year vision to grow to a 20 million tons company, with investments both inorganic and organic.
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revenue

Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?

- Star Cement targets to become a 20 million tons company in the next 5 to 10 years. - In the near term (next 3 to 5 years), the roadmap is to reach around 10 million tons, with expectations possibly up to 15-20 million tons. - Northeast market remains the primary focus due to high profitability; plans to expand production capacity there to about 3 million tons. - Outside Northeast, growth is planned via acquisition of mines or plants, with minimum plant capacity acquisitions targeting around 1.5 to 2 million tons. - Volume growth for the current year is expected to be healthy, targeting more than 12%-13% growth. - Market growth outlook for states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand is approximately 7%-8%; historical growth outside Northeast was 34% in FY23 but expected to normalize to 10%-12%.
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margin

Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?

- Target volume growth of over 12%-13% annually going forward, supporting revenue growth. - Long-term vision to become a 20 million ton company in the next 5 to 10 years. - EBITDA per ton expected to be maintained or improved around Rs. 1,250-1,300. - FY23 EBITDA stood at Rs. 520 crores with a healthy EBITDA per ton of Rs. 1,297. - Profit after tax in FY23 was Rs. 248 crores, stable despite increase in tax expenses. - Growth outside Northeast is emphasized with 10%-12% expected growth in new markets versus a 7%-8% market growth. - Peak debt planned is around Rs. 500 crores to fund expansion, expected to be repaid in the first year of operation. - Incremental CAPEX of about Rs. 1,300 crores in FY24 and Rs. 400 crores in FY25 aligned with expansion plans.
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orderbook

Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?

The transcript does not specifically mention current or expected orderbook or pending orders for Star Cement Limited. Key points related to future outlook and plans include: - The company aims to become a 20 million tons cement company over the next 5 to 10 years. - Focus on growth in Northeast and expansion outside Northeast markets such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, with expected market growth of 7%-8% in these areas. - New CEO Vinit Tiwari to lead operations and management decisions, including expansion plans. - Planned CAPEX: approximately Rs. 1,300 crores in FY24 and Rs. 400 crores in FY25 to support expansion. - Peak debt expected to be around Rs. 500 crores for the expansion period. - Growth target includes more than 12%-13% volume growth annually going forward. No explicit details on current or pending orders were disclosed.