CarTrade Tech Ltd - IPO Note

Ecommerce - Online Classifieds

CarTrade Tech Ltd - IPO Note

Ecommerce - Online Classifieds

Price range
Rs. 1585-1618
Issue Period:
Aug 09, 2021
Aug 11, 2021
Rating
Subscribe
August 09, 2021

Stock Info

Sensex
54326.29
CNX Nifty
16255.85
Face value (Rs.)
10
Market lot
9
Issue size
Rs. 2999 cr.
Public Issue
18,532,216 cr. shares
Market cap post IPO
7416 cr.
Equity Pre - IPO
45.83 cr.
Equity Post - IPO
45.83 cr.
Issue type
Offer for sale

Shareholding (Pre IPO)

Promoters
0
Public
100
Source: Ace equity, StockAxis Research

Shareholding (Post IPO)

Promoters
0
Public
100
Source: Ace equity, StockAxis Research

Reasonably valued as compared to peers but uncertain growth outlook can limit up potential

End-to-end technology solutions provider:
The end-to-end technology platforms largely developed by the company’s in-house team, allows them to offer a seamless solution to their customers. The company uses machine-learning and AI to advance its proprietary pricing, marketing & inventory technology for customers to enhance user experience and keep systems up to date with tech advancements, enabling better market insights, price discovery and efficient inventory management. CT offers a variety of solutions across the automotive transaction value chain from discovery and research tools, pricing and auto financing information to connecting consumers with dealers and OEMs for both used and new vehicle purchases. It also offers CRM and ERP software to third-party users which are currently being used & subscribed by BMW India and MG Motors India.

Asset-light & profitable business model:
CT operates on an asset-light business model, operating only 114 auto-malls, a large majority of which they lease or rent from third parties. They have invested significantly in building technology platforms that can manage considerably increased offerings without requiring sizable additional investments. Their investments in technology have made their platforms scalable in a highly capital-efficient manner, and the asset-light business model has also allowed them to use cash on their balance sheet for acquisitions which have formed important parts of their strategy in the past. Together with their strong brands, longstanding relationships with customers, dealers and other stakeholders, and an expanding suite of offerings, they have created a profitable and scalable business model.

Leading Marketplace for Automotive Sales:
CT is a multi-channel auto platform with coverage and presence across vehicle types and value-added services. Their custom-built platforms provide an intuitive vehicle buying and selling experience. Company’s brands, CarWale, CarTrade, Shriram Automall, BikeWale, CarTrade Exchange, Adroit Auto and AutoBiz, are trusted brands for automotive buyers and seller. Their brands, CarWale and BikeWale, ranked number one on relative online search popularity when compared to their key competitors over the period from April 2020 to March 2021.

To increase monetization opportunities:
The company intends to increase monetization opportunities by introducing complementary, value-added products and services to improve the experience of buying, selling and owning vehicles. For example, CT provides vehicle buyers with dynamic, personalized and real-time financing offers from multiple financing providers digitally through its finance platforms. CT also plans to provide vehicle servicing, automobile accessories and automobile insurance by engaging with product and service providers who will provide these to consumers on its websites.

Risks

Low entry barriers:
The business model is easily replicable with formalization of the industry. More firms may seek entry with increased demand. It is still an unregulated industry with strong presence of unorganized firms.

Inability to maintain high ranking in organic search:
Increased competition may lead to rise in marketing spend to increase engagement and attract visitors, which is crucial for growth.

Highly competitive space:
With India gaining prominence as a startup opportunity globally, many companies have entered the vehicle platform business since 2014 including the bigger competitors like Cars 24 and Droom who, just like CT are backed by multiple marquee global investing firms. An increase in aggression by competition, could impact the competitive positioning of the company and its profitability.

Company Description

CarTrade Tech (CT) is one of the largest, online auto portal for cars & two- wheelers and a leading auction platform for used vehicles. It provides value-added services across product segments through brands, such as Carwale, CarTrade, Shriram Automall, Bikewale, CarTrade Exchange, Adroit Auto and AutoBiz. The platforms enable new & used automobile customers, vehicular dealerships, OEM & other businesses to buy and sell vehicles in a simple and efficient manner. They are the only profitable digital auto platform among the key competitors like Cars24, CarDekho, Droom etc.

Valuation

CT plans to continue to invest in improving their technology such as AI and machine learning capabilities in order to provide more relevant and timely information to their customers, and enhance user experience. The company intends to increase monetization opportunities by introducing complementary, value-added products and services to improve the experience of buying, selling and owning vehicles. They also plan to provide vehicle servicing, automobile accessories and automobile insurance by engaging with product and service providers who will provide these to consumers on their websites.

At the upper price band of Rs 1618, the IPO is valued at 27x FY21 EV/Sales which is reasonable when compared to other private players such as Droom, valued at 49x EV/Sales  and Cars24, potential valuation of 46x EV/Sales. However, such lofty valuations may or may not be sustainable considering the auto industry itself is expected to grow by mere 8-10%. Hence, we recommend only high-risk investors to SUBCRIBE to the IPO for listing day gains only.

Key Information

Use of Proceeds:
The total issue size is of Rs. 2,999 crore is fully an OFS constituting offer for sale of up to 1.85 crore equity shares by investors. Company will not get any capital from this issue. All proceeds will go to such selling investors.

Book running lead managers:
Axis Capital, Citigroup Global, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Nomura Financial

Management:
CT has a strong management team with significant industry experience. Led by their Chairman, Managing Director and CEO, Vinay Vinod Sanghi, who has 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, their entrepreneurial leadership team has demonstrated the ability to successfully create, build and grow their various businesses. The organization focuses on building an environment of innovation, trust, respect, ownership, agility and teamwork.

Financial Statement

Profit & Loss Statement:- (Consolidated)

Yr End March (Rs Cr) FY19 FY20 FY21
Net Sales 243.00 298.00 250.00
Material Cost 0.00 17.00 1.00
Employee Cost 128.00 133.00 130.00
Other Expenses 86.00 109.00 80.00
EBITDA 29.00 39.00 39.00
EBITDA Margin 12.00% 13.00% 16.00%
Depreciation & Amortization 15.00 17.00 20.00
EBIT 14.00 22.00 19.00
Other Income 24.00 20.00 32.00
Interest & Finance Charges 2.00 3.00 4.00
Profit Before Tax - Before Exceptional 36.00 39.00 47.00
Tax Expense 10.00 8.00 -54.00
Effective Tax rate 28.00% 21.00% -
Net Profit 26.00 31.00 101.00
Net Profit Margin 11.00% 10.00% 40.00%