ICICI Securities Limited Broker Research reports

We recently hosted Akums’ management for a roadshow. Akums has been able to maintain its CDMO and overall EBITDA margin at 15.5%/12.0% despite its sub-par revenue growth in 9MFY25. Further efforts towards curbing losses in API division and new export order (starting CY27) could drive operating leverage and boost margins in coming years.

Embassy Office Parks REIT’s (Embassy REIT) overall portfolio occupancy, as of Dec’24, was 87% – including infusion of 1.4msf Splendid Techzone, Chennai asset of 1.4msf from 1 Jun’24.

We attended Tata Motors’ (TTMT) analyst meet. For its JLR business, the US continues to do well alongside recovery green shoots in the EU market. TTMT maintained its EBIT margin guidance of 10% for Q4FY25.

IndusInd Bank (IIB) has communicated a preliminary one-time hit of ~2.35% of net-worth on its derivative portfolio. We peg the pre-tax hit at ~INR 20bn–21bn.

We upgrade Tata Communications’ (TCom) two notches to BUY (from Hold). TCom’s stock price has plunged notably beset by near-term revenue weakness – making the company’s revenue guidance seem rather ambitious. In our view, this presents strong upside potential and compelling risk-reward.

Sun Pharma (Sun) is acquiring US-based early-stage oncology-focused biotech company Checkpoint Therapeutics (Checkpoint) for an upfront cash payment of USD 4.1/share (total outgo of USD 355mn) and USD 0.7/share in cash in future milestones.

IKS Health (IKS) is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) company that caters to US’ healthcare provider segment. It focusses on outsourcing the routine chores of physicians. IKS’ platform has 16 key features, spanning across chores in a physician’s value chain, bundled into admin offerings and clinical offerings.

As opposed to the three-year term requested by IndusInd Bank’s (IIB) board for its incumbent MD & CEO, Mr Sumant Kathpalia, RBI has approved a term renewal for only one year.

We see CIL’s FY25 performance to be impacted by possibly stagnant volumes, though e-auction price remains relatively stable. Production and offtake volumes until Feb’25–YTD was impacted by rake unavailability, inclement monsoons and ongoing production issues at SECL.

We upgrade City Union Bank (CUBK) to BUY with an unchanged target price of INR 200, valuing the stock at ~1.45x FY26E ABV, broadly in-line with forward RoAs. Post ~17% stock price correction in the last month, CUBK’s valuation at ~1.1x forward book is near its lowest in the last three years – juxtaposed with an improved growth outlook and NIM resilience.