Max Financial Services Ltd. share price target

Max Financial Services Limited (MFS) announced that it had signed definitive agreements with Axis Bank Limited (Axis Bank) where the companies will be joint venture partners in Max Life Insurance Company Ltd (MLI). As per the agreement, Axis Bank will hold a 30% stake in Max Life once the deal is finalized in 12-18 months (expected), pending regulatory approvals. Due to the cap on the stake that a bank may hold in a life insurance company, Axis Bank stake is likely to remain at 30% in the JV. However, shareholders of MFS...

With a new indiv. tax code and Axis Bank embracing open architecture we expect business growth momentum to slow down in FY21-22E. Additionally, we continue to watch out for the renewal of partnership with Axis Bank. We rate MAXF a BUY with an changed TP of Rs 560 (MAXL: Dec-20E EV + 18.8x FY22E VNB). We use a holding company discount of 30%, continue with a 22% discount on VNB for Axis Bank deal, and a 10x multiple to annual leakage at the holding co level. Key risks include lower growth, higher cost over-runs, and supply overhang as a result of promoter pledges. MAXL reported in-line nos with total APE growing 16.0% YoY and 9MFY20 VNB margin was at 21.0% (+60bps YoY)- high costs continue to weigh on margins. We maintain our BUY with TP of Rs 560.

Max Life Insurance (MLI) (holding company Max Financial Services) continues with strong operational performance (healthy margins, adequately capitalized and attractive EV growth) and thus is an attractive business franchise (6% overall market share). MLI's best in class 13th month persistency, indicates good customer retention and effective client communication, critical for the life insurance business. Uncertainties regarding pledging of shares, future of ownership, etc have been a drag on Max Financial (MFS; Holding company), and we...

Max Life Insurance (MLI) (holding company Max Financial Services) continues with strong operational performance (healthy margins, adequately capitalized and attractive EV growth) and thus is an attractive business franchise (6% overall market share). MLI's best in class 13th month persistency, indicates good customer retention and effective client communication, critical for the life insurance business. Uncertainties regarding pledging of shares, future of ownership, etc have been a drag on Max Financial (MFS; Holding company), and we...

With Axis Bank embracing open architecture and adding a life insurance partner we expect business growth momentum to slow down. Additionally, we continue to watch out for the renewal of partnership with Axis Bank. We cut our APE growth and VNB margin assumptions. We rate MAXF a BUY with a reduced TP of Rs 565 (MAXL: Sep-20E EV + 19.4x Sep-21E VNB). We use a holding company discount to 30%, and continue with a 22% discount on VNB for Axis Bank deal, and a 10x multiple to annual leakage at the holding co level. Key risks include lower growth, higher cost over-runs, and supply overhang as a result of promoter pledges. Increased costs (16.7%, +200bps YoY), dampened VNB margins to 21.0% (+60bps YoY) despite high NPAR savings share (20%, vs. 5% YoY), and change in assumptions (business and tax), aiding margins +230bps.

MAXF have put up to withdraw the application for share swap & purchase transaction for MSI's stake in Max Life for MAXF shares as agreement for finalization of definitive terms were not reached. MSI will remain as JV partner of Max Life continuing existing arrangements. Transaction arrangement may not be required for reverse merger but some issues have to be ironed out like a one-off pending contingent liability from erstwhile telecom investment. Management also showcased confidence on being strongly associated with Axis but are still to reach any arrangement for future course of action. Key...

While this transaction simplifies corporate structure paving way for potential M&A or folding up of MAXL into MAXF and is value accretive for minority shareholders, management was unable to clearly spell out its end game. This adds an additional layer of uncertainty to the one that already exists- renewability of partnership with Axis Bank. We rate MAXF a BUY with TP of Rs 589 (MAXL: FY20E EV + 21.9x FY21E VNB). We have increased our holding company discount to 30% (vs. 15%), and continue with a 22% discount on VNB for Axis Bank deal, and a 10x multiple to annual leakage at the holding co level. Key risks include lower growth, higher cost over-runs, and supply overhang as a result of promoter pledges. Despite an increasing share of NPAR savings (15% share, +3.7x YoY), and change in assumption which helped margins expand 160bps YoY, VNB margins disappointed at just 19.6% (+150bps YoY).

During the quarter, MFS registered 19% y-o-y growth in gross written premium (GWP) to Rs. 5,521 crore. Growth in new business premium was also strong. The first year's premium grew by 21.8% y-o-y to Rs. 1,631 crore, while growth recorded in renewal premium increased by 17.7% y-o-y and 54.1% q-o-q. Single premium business increased at a healthy pace of 15.9%...

Disbursement growth was 9% YoY v/s 30%+ YoY in the past two quarters. Consol. AUM grew 8% QoQ/29% YoY to INR55.6b. MEL and SME lending continued to drive loan growth (+30% YoY each). Interestingly, the 2W loan...

Given that the distribution agreement is mutually beneficial for both Axis and MAXL, we suspect that MAXL may become an attractive takeover candidate for Axis Bank This holds optional upside value beyond our TP of Rs 595 (FY21 EV + 13.6x FY21E adj. VNB). MAXL reported a stable 3QFY19 as total APE printed Rs 8.7bn (+11.3% YoY/+1.0% QoQ). Share of protection in the mix rising to 12% (+400bps YoY), higher interest rates and better operating performance pulled 9MFY19 VNB margins (post overrun) higher to 20.4% (+240bps YoY, flat QoQ). On the back of expected 4QFY19 seasonal uptick, management is confident on closing FY19E at VNB margins of ~20.5-21.0%.