HSBC Global Rsearch cuts target prices of Britannia Dabur and Nestle between 6% and 16%, says Patanjali

MUMBAI: HSBC Global Research has cuts target prices of Dabur, Britannia, and Nestle by between 6% and 16%, says Patanjali an unlisted company disrupting India's consumer space.

A recent research report by the research firm says the rise of Patanjali has been nothing short of meteoric, posing a challenge to the companies that have dominated the consumer scene for years. "The company, which started as a small pharmacy, has expanded to sell the full range of consumer categories, from edible oils, biscuits, and noodles to toothpaste, hair and skin care products, and groceries.

To put that in context, this is equal to or larger than the domestic revenues of established listed heavyweights such as Dabur, Emami, Marico, and Godrej Consumer. Patanjali, run by a popular yoga guru with a strong following, is now India's fastest-growing consumer products brand" the report said.

The success of Patanjali has raised investor concerns about the impact on established consumer names. Opinions are divided. "We recently met Patanjali's management and visited the company's food park in Haridwar in northern India. We also talked to wholesale distributors and retailers and got feedback from consumers, who like the healthy, high-quality low-cost approach. We believe the company's business model is rewriting the rules of consumer marketing in India. We think the rapid growth will continue, driven by: ever-increasing consumer demand for its products; launch of new categories; and a broader retail and distribution network (two thirds of revenue comes from northern India, the report said.

"Our analysis shows that the threat is real, and we have changed our forecasts accordingly, but maintain our ratings. For Dabur (Hold), which we think is most at risk, we cut our earnings forecasts by c7% for FY18 and lower our long-term growth estimates and reduce our DCF-based target price to Rs 260 from Rs 310. We lower earnings growth estimates for Britannia (Buy) by c4% for FY18e, and cut our DCF-based TP to Rs 3,300 from Rs 3,600. For Nestle (Hold), we lower CY17e earnings by c3% and lower our DCF-based TP to Rs 6,000 from Rs 6,400. Colgates also feeling the heat but much is already priced in following the sharp correction in its stock price. Among staples, HUL and Emami remain our preferred stocks: HUL is structurally strongest and Emami should benefit from the rise of Ayurveda" it said.