Conference Call with Pidilite Management and Analysts on Q4FY20 and Full Year Earnings Performance and Outlook. Listen to the full earnings transcript.
Key Highlights
As a result of the nation-wide lockdown declared in March 2020, the standalone net sales in the last ten days of the quarter, and of the year, were lower than the same period last year by around Rs 150 crores. This is equivalent to around 11% of Q4 net sales last year.
Lower sales in the last ten days of the quarter and the year resulted in Q4 standalone net sales growth reducing from around 9.6% as on 21st March 2020 to – 4.3% as on quarter end. FY standalone net sales growth reduced from around 7.1% as on 21st March 2020 to 4.0% as on year end.
The consequent impact on standalone EBITDA growth is estimated at a reduction of 29 percent for Q4, and 6 percent for FY. The operations at all our factories, warehouses and branches have started in a phased manner during May and June with all requisite safety protocols being adhered to in a stringent manner.
Most of the employees are working from home and necessary office connectivity is in place. While April’20 sales ground to a halt due to closure of most markets, in May and June we have seen the country open up for business gradually with Rural markets restarting quicker vis a vis Urban markets. We observe that markets in the South and East have opened up gradually with North and West being slower to open up
Large cities continue to be constrained, especially those in West, North and Central India. We continue to see challenges around labour availability in our own units – warehouses/factories as well as at users/customers. As normalcy returns slowly across various markets we remain cautious and focused on restoring volumes enabled by investments in brand building, growth categories, capabilities and sales and distribution.
Consolidated Performance as compared to the same quarter last year:
Net sales declined by 5.9%. Material cost as a % to net sale is lower by 505 bps vs same period last year and 155 bps vs previous quarter.
EBITDA before non-operating income grew by 8.5% on account of lower material cost. Profit before tax and Exceptional Items (PBT) declined by 12.3% mainly due to lower income from investments in current year. Profit after tax declined by 33.9% (Excluding exceptional items and previous year tax write back declined by 2.7%).
Standalone Performance as compared to the same quarter last year:
Net sales declined by 4.3%, with sales volume & mix decline of 4.2%. This was driven by 3.1% decline in sales volume & mix of Consumer & Bazaar and 4.5% decline in sales volume & mix of Business to Business. Material cost as a % to net sales is lower by 471 bps over same period last year and 192 bps vs previous quarter.
EBITDA before non-operating income grew by 8.4% on account of lower material cost. Profit before tax and Exceptional Items (PBT) declined by 7.2% mainly due to lower income from investments in current year. Profit after tax declined by 34.4% (Excluding exceptional items+ and previous year tax write back** grew by 3.4%).
Performance of subsidiaries were impacted on account of nation-wide lockdown due to Covid19.
ICA Pidilite has delivered EBITDA growth on account of improved margins due to scaled up local manufacturing. Nina percept and Cipy continue to face a challenging market conditions in wake of economic slowdown in Real Estate, Auto and Engineering Industry. This was further impacted due to COVID 19 conditions. During the quarter, the company through its subsidiary Madhumala Ventures Pvt. Ltd made an investment of Rs. 71.5 crores in Trendsutra Platform Services Pvt Ltd (Pepperfry).
Pepperfry is an online furniture marketplace and has operations in India across multiple cities. As an organization, we continuously track the development of the start-up ecosystem in adjacent areas and relevant geographies. We intend to support and collaborate with start-ups for mutual benefits.
The company has also entered into a definitive agreement with Tenax SPA Italy (Tenax Italy) for acquiring 70% of the share capital of Tenax India Stone Products Pvt. Ltd. (Tenax India) for cash consideration of approximately Rs. 80 crores (depending upon the actual cash and working capital at the time of closing), subject to certain preconditions being met prior to closing of the transaction, in February 20. Tenax Italy is the leading manufacturer of adhesives, coating, surface treatment chemicals and abrasives for the marble, granite and stone industry. Tenax India is a subsidiary of Tenax Italy engaged in the sales and distribution of Tenax Italy products for the retail market in India. This transaction was completed in May 20.