Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Opinion / Online-views/  Rising costs, weak prices hit Hindalco
BackBack

Rising costs, weak prices hit Hindalco

Rising costs, weak prices hit Hindalco

Premium


Falling aluminium prices cast a long shadow on Hindalco Industries Ltd’s September quarter results. Though average aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange during the quarter were higher by 14.7% year-on-year (y-o-y), they fell by 8% sequentially.

Sales rose by 7.2% y-o-y to 6,220 crore, chiefly aided by a 15.8% jump in aluminium revenue, while copper sales rose by 2.8%, pulling down the overall growth. On a sequential basis, sales rose by 4%, with aluminium revenue rising 5.7% and copper by 3.1%. Copper segment revenue was hit by lower volume growth due to a maintenance shutdown.

Ahmed Raza Khan/Mint

Hindalco’s aluminium business’ segment profit fell 28% sequentially during the quarter, while copper’s profit rose by 1.7%. Overall, the company’s net profit rose by 15.8% y-o-y toRs 502.52 crore, but it declined by 22% sequentially.

The outlook for the company is challenging. Aluminium prices have neither recovered nor reported a significant decline. Demand for aluminium in the domestic and international markets is expected to be weaker compared with projections. In copper, too, Hindalco has said treatment and refining charges are showing weak trends, which may affect this business in future.

Its Canadian subsidiary Novelis Inc. also faced the pressures of slowing global economic growth, as shipments declined by 3% y-o-y, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization —a key measure of operating profitability—rose by 3%, but declined by 1.7% on a sequential basis.

Hindalco’s stock is down by 46% from its 52-week high in January. The base effect of higher aluminium prices will continue to affect sales and profit growth in forthcoming quarters. Its expansion projects will see volumes improve from the second half of 2011-12. But production growth is unlikely to be a key valuation trigger. A recovery in prices in the London market, cheaper input costs, and a recovery in domestic demand conditions will be seen as positive triggers.

Keep up with latest news/ views on the livemint Facebook page

Follow livemint on Twitter for latest news / views / full coverage

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 10 Nov 2011, 11:31 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App