Havells India Sees Strong Demand in Wires & Cables, Invests in Solar Business Amid Mixed Segment Performance and High Valuation

Havells India reported strong momentum in its Wires & Cables (W&C) segment, which grew 12.4% year-over-year in Q2, although it trailed competitor Polycab. To capitalize on demand, Havells is expanding its Tumakuru facility with a Rs 450 crore investment and aims to double underground cable capacity by FY27. Segment profitability improved significantly with EBIT margins rising 510 basis points to 13.7% due to better product mix and operating leverage.

Conversely, the Electrical Consumer Durables (ECD) segment experienced a 1.8% revenue decline, impacted by weak demand for fans and air coolers and high channel inventory. The Lloyd segment also saw an 18% sales drop, facing challenges from a high base, weak demand, and persistent inventory issues, with margins contracting to -22%. The Lighting segment performed steadily with 7.4% growth, while Switchgear delivered robust 16% growth driven by real estate and project demand.

In a strategic move, Havells is investing Rs 600 crore for a 9.24% stake in Goldi Solar Pvt. Ltd. to enhance its presence in the renewable energy sector by securing solar module and cell supplies.

Outlook & Valuation: While the W&C segment is expected to sustain growth, risks from new entrants and capacity expansions exist. The company's high exposure to ECD and Lloyd makes it susceptible to seasonal demand. At a valuation of 53 times FY27 estimated earnings, the stock appears expensive, offering limited margin of safety.

Impact: This news could positively impact investor sentiment towards Havells India due to its W&C growth and strategic solar investment, but the high valuation and mixed segment performance present significant risks. The expansion plans could boost future revenues but might also lead to overcapacity. Overall impact on Indian stock market is moderate, but significant for the electrical and consumer durables sector. Rating: 7/10.

Difficult Terms: - Year-over-year (YoY): A comparison of financial or operational performance between the current period and the same period in the previous year. - Electrical Consumer Durables (ECD): Products used in homes that consume electricity, such as fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines. - EBIT: Earnings Before Interest and Taxes. A measure of a company's profitability. - Operating Leverage: The degree to which a company's costs are fixed versus variable. Higher operating leverage means a small change in sales can lead to a large change in profits. - Binding Term Sheet: A preliminary agreement outlining the main terms and conditions of a potential deal, which is legally binding. - Strategic Minority Investment: An investment made by one company in another, where the investor takes a non-controlling stake (minority) with the aim of achieving strategic benefits beyond just financial returns. - Channel Inventory: The amount of goods that are held by distributors, wholesalers, and retailers before they are sold to the end consumer. - Primary Sales: Sales made by a manufacturer to its distributors or dealers. - FY27e: Fiscal Year 2027 estimated. This refers to the projected financial performance for the fiscal year ending in March 2027. - Capacity Expansion: Increasing the maximum output a facility can produce. - Margin of Safety: In investing, the difference between the intrinsic value of a stock and its market price, representing a buffer against potential errors in estimation or unforeseen events.