Asian Paints Q1 Preview: Consolidated PAT may rise 35% YoY on better sales, margins

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Asian Paints Ltd report double-digit year-on-year (YoY) growth in profit for the June quarter. The consolidated net profit is seen rising nearly 35% YoY to Rs 1,371.30 crore, according to the average of estimates given by 9 brokerages. The revenue is expected to grow nearly 10% YoY to Rs 9,408 crore, the estimates showed.

The speciality chemicals maker is slated to release its earnings on Tuesday. Better traction in decorative paints is likely to aid volume growth and subsequently revenue, according to analysts. With easing raw material prices, margins are also seen improving for the company, but competitive intensity pressures stay.

Analysts will look for an outlook on the margin trajectory in the ensuing quarters, and for raw material price trends. Besides, they will eye the demand assessment in metro cities and tier-2 and tier-3 towns.Axis SecuritiesIt estimates volume growth of 10% and consolidated sales growth of 9% owing to continued traction in decorative paints, led by premium products. EBITDA margin is likely to expand 400 bps YoY to 22.1% on the back of gross margins expansion (lower raw material cost and improved product mix) and strong operating leverage Key monitorables will be demand outlook in metros/Tier 2/3 towns, input costs, outlook; pricing actions; increased competitive intensity.Kotak Institutional EquitiesIt expects 10% volume growth and 8.5% value growth in standalone business.

Expect negligible gap between volume and value growth due to moderation in growth of putty/commodity products. A build-in growth of 7% in subsidiaries may translate into consolidated revenue growth of 8.3%. It expects 40 bps QoQ improvement in consolidated gross margin to 42.9% (+520 bps YoY) in view of a further decline in