Company Profile
L&T Financial Holdings Ltd, (LTFH) is RBI registered Non-Banking Finance Company Core Investment Company (NBFC – CIC) and holding company for the financial services entities of the L&T Group. The company was incorporated in 2008. The company’s business operations cater to segments like~ Rural Business & Microfinance and Farm loans, Urban Finance comprising 2W loans, SME, consumer loans, HL/LAP, and Wholesale Finance comprising real estate and infra segments. L&T is the holding company in L&TFH with a stake of 66.11% as of 31st Match 2023.
Investment Rationale
· Strong Growth in Retail Disbursements in FY23
During the year FY23, the company’s Book mix of Retail & Wholesale contributed 75% & 25% respectively in FY23. Aggregate Retail Disbursements during the year witnessed a YoY growth of 69% followed by growth under multiple segments such as ~ Farmer finance, Rural Business Finance, Urban Finance, and SME Finance earned revenue of Rs 6450 crores, Rs 16910 crores, Rs 16727 crores and Rs 1476 crores respectively with a YoY growth of 25%, 70%, 72% and 2276% respectively. Further, in FY23 the company serviced 1.2Cr+ customers in Rural India.
· Focus on asset quality
The company is focusing on its ‘Lakshya 2026’ goal of achieving an Asset Quality of GS3 <3%, NS3 <1%, and ROA between 2.8%-3%. The company also plans to achieve a CAGR growth of >25% on Retail growth with anticipation of a Retail realisation level of >80%. Currently, the company's Retail realisation is 75% with Retail Growth of 35% on a YoY basis. Consequently, the Current ROA is 2.46%. and Asset Quality is GS3 3.41%, NS3 0.71%. In order to achieve Lakhsya 2026 the company took significant initiative for improving the Asset Quality of the company followed by the completion of a Mutual Fund sale of Rs 4249 crores.
· LTF & LTCL merger with LTFH to facilitate strong dealership channel
The company has planned to merge LTF (L&T Finance) & LTCL (L&T Infra Credit Limited) with LTFH. As per the company's management, the company has received approval from RBI, SEBI, and the Stock exchange and has filed an application with NCLT Mumbai, which is in progress.
This merger will help the company to strengthen its disbursement channels and establish a strong network across India. LTF started with forging strong traditional channel-based distribution relationships. It has strong dealer partnerships under Farm & 2W Dealerships with 2500+ and 5500+ respectively. Additionally, it has channel partnerships in Farm & 2W of 500+ and 130+ as well. This will help the company to increase its footprint faster under the Retail segment. LTF also has a very strong network on a PAN India basis with its presence in 20 and 18 Urban and Rural states catering to 100+ cities and 200,000 villages on a PAN India basis.
· Rundown of Wholesale portfolio
The management aimed to run down the wholesale book and increase retail share in total loans. Accordingly, in the last four quarters, the share of retail loans has increased from 51% to 75% while the proportion of wholesale book has declined from 49% to 25% (from | 43257 crore to | 19840 crore). Induction of new Chairman SN Subrahmanyan in February 2022 hastened the process of restructuring further.
· Strong Financial risk profile supported by giant Promoter Group
For the year ended 31st March 2023, the Reserves and Cash & Cash Equivalents accounted for Rs 19049 crores and Rs 12749 crores respectively. The company has a Net Worth of Rs 21528 crores. Further, LTF is planning for a merger with LTFH to accelerate its realisation while strengthening the group's presence in the financial vertical. the CEO & MD of L&T Group S. N. Subrahmanyan’s presence as the chairman of LTFHL also ensures adequate supervision of LTF’s performance towards Lakshya 2026 target. LTF benefits from the L&T Group’s ecosystem, intelligence, and operations, with the latter participating in the former’s credit committee, risk management, and asset-liability management committees. Additionally, The financial services business has been regularly receiving capital infusions (about INR57 billion to date) from the group since inception as per a credit rating agency's report. As per the management, the L&T Group has enhanced management oversight and control. Also, it has stated that it will maintain strategic linkages, majority shareholding (31st March 2023: 66.11%), and support lines (INR18 billion) towards the financial services business on an ongoing basis.
Q4 FY23 Analysis
For the quarter ended 31st March 2023, the NII of the company increased by 16% YoY to 1766 cr. PPoP increased by 11% to 1186 cr. PAT for the quarter was Rs 417 crores, which increased by 22% on a YoY basis.
Risk & Concerns
· Credit risk
The company is exposed to Credit risk since it is in the business of lending. Borrowers may default on borrowed money with the company, which may significantly impact the profitability of the firm.
· Economic slowdown
The company is also exposed to risk, which arises due to multiple macroeconomic factors. The slowdown in the economy due to any reason will reduce the consumption appetite of the customers, which will further impact their borrowing capacity. This will significantly impact the revenue and profitability of the company.
Outlook & Valuation
Overall, the company is expected to increase profitability on account of rising realisations, improving Asset quality and ROA, and growth across the Retail segment. Going ahead, AUM growth is expected to be driven by the retail segment – newer segments seen driving faster traction while existing mature segments are expected to witness steady growth with a gradual gain in market share. Increase in retail proportion will continue to aid NIMs trajectory.
At, a CMP of Rs 103, the stock is trading at a P/BV of 1.2x its FY24E earnings.
We recommend, a 'BUY' rating to the stock.