Which stock will touch Rs 300 first —ITC or Paytm? This WhatsApp forward caught our attention a few months ago, i.e., when the exodus of Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) from Indian and other emerging markets began.
Not long ago, investors thought the only risk associated with platform companies, such as Paytm, was not investing in them. On the other hand, many believed ITC didn’t offer any growth opportunity. But except egos, anything else rarely touches the skies and except misconceptions, anything else rarely makes us fall to an absolute zero.
It seems markets have been pushing both ITC and Paytm away from their extreme positions. The result is quite evident.
Over the last 6-7months, ITC has massively outperformed broader markets and has silently marched towards Rs 300 although it’s not there just yet.
Nonetheless, ITC’s relative outperformance appears to have puzzled even seasoned investors.
And to a large extent, their discomfort with ITC’s recent run up is understandable.
If these factors weren’t enough, growing popularity of the ESG (Environmental Social and Governance) theme over the past few years made ITC unpopular with investors since it sells sin goods—cigarettes.
As a result, despite clocking higher FMCG revenue as compared to that of Britannia, Nestle, Marico, Dabur and Emami, ITC found it difficult to shed its image of a cigarettes manufacturer.
And although it has rallied lately, ITC’s Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is just 22, while Nestle commands a TTM P/E multiple of 77 and VST Industries (manufacturer of Charms and Total cigarette brands) trades at a TTM P/E of 15.
So, is valuation gap the only reason for ITC’s relative outperformance in the recent past or has the company been warming up to turn the tables?
Our research analysts tracking ITC believe that the stock is poised for re-rating, pointing at consistent improvements in ESG scores of the company. Our research team is working on an exhaustive and comprehensive report on ITC. A teaser is already out.
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Disclaimer:
The blog is for information purposes only and anything mentioned herein shouldn’t be construed as a fundamental reason to buy/hold/sell any stock. Furthermore, the information provided in the blog and observations made therefrom shouldn’t be treated as the extension of recommendations made on the other properties of Ventura Securities. If you follow any research recommendations made by our fundamental or technical experts, you should also read associated risk factors and disclaimers.
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We, Ventura Securities Ltd, (SEBI Registration Number INH000001634) its Analysts & Associates with regard to blog article hereby solemnly declare & disclose that:
We do not have any financial interest of any nature in the company. We do not individually or collectively hold 1% or more of the securities of the company. We do not have any other material conflict of interest in the company. We do not act as a market maker in securities of the company. We do not have any directorships or other material relationships with the company.
We do not have any personal interests in the securities of the company. We do not have any past significant relationships with the company such as Investment Banking or other advisory assignments or intermediary relationships. We are not responsible for the risk associated with the investment/disinvestment decision made on the basis of this blog article.
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