Stock Idea: Rural Electrification

A pioneer in the area of rural electrification, this PSU has posted a consistent performance for year ended 31-03-08.
With a 27% rise in net income and 20% rise in operating expense, on the profitability front, the company has done well. Its consolidated net profit rose 30% at Rs.860.14 crore. On an equity of Rs.858.66 crores, it posted an EPS of Rs.10.94.
Its sanctions were up 85% and Rs.60,764 crore while disbursements rose 19% at Rs.16,303 crore. Infact, it disbursed a subsidy of Rs.3,350 crore and a loan of Rs.401 crore under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana.
On 05-05-08, REC was granted the ‘Navratna’ status. This gives its financial and administrative autonomy. REC can now take decisions of investing up to Rs.1,000 crore or 15% of its net worth independently. It would be able to expand its electricity business in the rural areas.
REC had gone public in March 2008, in the wake of the turmoil in the IPO markets cuased by Reliance Power. Yet, it had managed to do well and to a large extent, was responsible for restoring some faith back into the primary markets.
It had issued shares at Rs.105 and had got listed at Rs.128. It is currently quoted at Rs.111. Unlike PSU banks, REC does not disburse loans to farmers or individuals, it finances public sector projects and mega power projects. It is in no way affected by the debt waivers announced. It’s risk is to the extent of recovering money from other PSU’s, a risk which all banks face.
REC is a good buy at CMP of Rs.107.

Stock Ideas: Rolta India

Prabhudas Lilladher has maintained its buy rating on Rolta India with a target price of Rs 437 in its May 27, 2008 research report. "The company management has indicated there is a huge opportunity for it in terms of airport redevelopment, 3D city mapping and work related to power distribution companies (discoms). Rolta is already involved with 26 airport projects across the country. Mapping a single city would be a Rs 1.5-Rs 2.0 billion project. Rolta has hands on experience in this as it has done 3D city mapping for Dubai. We also understand that Rolta is working on nine projects for power distribution companies."
"We expect Rolta to report 46.30% and 35.2% revenue growth in FY09 and FY10 respectively. We expect its earnings to grow by 34.2% and 48.6% during the same period. We maintain BUY rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 437 (14xFY10E earnings)," says Lilladher's research report.