Sharda Cropchem's 1QFY20 performance was below our expectations, Sales de-grew by 7.5% YoY to 4.23bn (D.est: 5.25bn). EBITDA/PAT degrowth was even sharper by 13.3/33.5% YoY to 616/228mn respectively. Gross margin contraction of 337 bps YoY and 331 bps QoQ was a function of consistently rising raw material prices and a sharp gross margin decline in Europe of 560bps YoY (to 36.5% in 1QFY20). The stress on gross margins is largely attributed to innovators not taking price hikes eventually deterring Sharda's ability to take pricing action....