Equity Research Report: Sukhjit Starch and Chemicals Limited
Company Overview
Sukhjit Starch and Chemicals Limited is a prominent player in the maize processing industry, with a strategic focus on serving FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors. The company has demonstrated robust financial performance and is positioned for significant growth through strategic expansion initiatives.
Financial Performance Analysis
Key Financial Metrics
Market Capitalization: ₹957 Crores
Current Stock Price: ₹306
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio: 17.6
Book Value: ₹170
Return on Equity (ROE): 9.44%
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): 11.8%
Revenue and Profitability Highlights
Q2 FY25 Revenue: ₹363.87 Crores (13% YoY growth)
H1 FY25 Revenue: ₹753.70 Crores (17% YoY growth)
Q2 EBITDA: ₹32.11 Crores
Net Profit (Q2): ₹12.63 Crores
Annual Sales: ₹1,494 Crores
Profit After Tax: ₹54.3 Crores
Strategic Initiatives and Growth Drivers
Capacity Expansion
Partial commissioning of expansion projects expected in Q3 FY25
Actively exploring:
Greenfield projects
Potential acquisition of brownfield facilities
Goal: Enhance competitive positioning and increase production capacity
Market Positioning
Strong presence in FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors
Effective inventory management (2-4 months of raw material stock)
Benefiting from government initiatives supporting maize cultivation
Financial Strength and Debt Management
Long-term Debt: ₹361 Crores
Net Debt to Equity Ratio: 0.14 (Low leverage)
Reserves: ₹515 Crores
Successful reduction in long-term debt, improving financial flexibility
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
Industry Trends
Growing demand for renewable and biodegradable materials
Increasing opportunities in maize processing
Potential margin improvements in H2 FY25
Growth Metrics
3-Year Sales Growth: 25.3%
3-Year Profit Variation: 35.1%
Quarterly Sales Variation: 14.5%
Operating Profit Margin (OPM): 9.09%
Valuation and Investment Potential
Stock Performance
52-Week High/Low: ₹324 / ₹201
Dividend Yield: 1.31%
Previous Annual Dividend: ₹12.5 Crores
Risk Factors and Considerations
Potential pricing pressures in raw material markets
Dependency on agricultural commodity prices
Competition in the starch processing industry
Recommendation
Buy with Moderate Conviction
Rationale:
Strong financial performance
Strategic expansion plans
Low debt levels
Positive market positioning in emerging sectors
Potential for margin expansion
Future Projections
Short-term (1-2 Years):
Expected capacity increase of 15-20%
Potential revenue growth of 12-15%
Medium-term (3-5 Years):
Diversification into new market segments
Potential margin improvement through operational efficiencies
Exploration of value-added product lines

Disclaimer
This report is based on available information and should not be considered absolute investment advice. Investors are recommended to conduct their own due diligence.
Prepared on: December 12, 2024