stockaxis

REC Ltd

Quarterly Result - Q2FY25

REC Ltd

Finance - NBFC

Current

CMP
Rs. 543.65
Rating:
Hold
October 26, 2024

Previous

Rating:
Hold

Stock Info

BSE
532955
NSE
RECLTD
Bloomberg
RECL:IN
Reuters
RECM.NS
Sector
Finance - NBFC
Face Value (Rs)
10
Equity Capital (Rs cr)
2633
Mkt Cap (Rs cr)
142101.93
52w H/L (Rs)
654.00 - 259.45
Avg Daily Vol (BSE+NSE)
9,196,669

Shareholding Pattern

(as on 30-Sep)
%
Promoter
52.63
FIIs
21.22
DIIs
14.25
Public & Others
11.89
Source: Ace equity, stockaxis Research

Price performance

Return (%)
1m
3m
12m
Absolute
-6.47
-16.14
86.37
Sensex
-6.77
-0.80
23.97
Source: Ace equity, stockaxis Research

Indexed Stock Performance

REC Ltd Sensex
REC Ltd
Source: Ace equity, stockaxis Research

Financial Highlights:

Particulars (Rs. In cr) Q2FY25 Q2FY24 YoY (%) Q1FY25 QoQ (%)
Net Interest Income 4680.00 3863.00 21.00% 4479.00 4.00%
NIMs (%) 3.66% 3.75% (9 bps) 3.64% 2 bps
Operating profit 4894.00 4046.00 21.00% 4799.00 2.00%
PAT 4004.00 3772.00 6.00% 3444.00 16.00%
Gross NPA (%) 2.53% 3.14% (61 bps) 2.61% (8 bps)
Net NPA (%) 0.88% 0.96% (8 bps) 0.82% 6 bps

Source: Company Filings; stockaxis Research

Q2FY25 Result Highlights
REC delivered steady earnings growth for the quarter ended Q2FY25. NII grew 18% YoY to Rs.4680 cr due to strong loan growth and margin improvement. Increase in yield on loan by 17bps QoQ to 10.16% (due to change in loan mix) more than compensated for firming cost of fund. Cost of fund increased by 13bps QoQ to 7.18% (increasing share of foreign currency borrowing resulted into a sequential improvement in margin to 3.66% (21bps YoY & 2bps QoQ). Disbursement picked up sequentially at Rs 47303 cr (13.7% YoY & 8.4% QoQ). Disbursement was moderate in core infra, LPS and short-term loan segment. Fresh sanctions were healthy driven by renewable and distribution sector. Elevated repayments (quarterly run rate of 5.8% vs 4.6% in Q1FY25) and decent disbursement led to loan growth of 15% YoY & 3% QoQ to Rs.5,46,117 cr. Non-interest income was low at Rs 120 cr due to MTM gain on derivate exposure. Moderate forex translation loss on un-hedged foreign currency borrowing kept opex growth at -0.1% yoy. Hence Pre-provision profit was Rs.4894 cr (21% yoy & 2% qoq) in line with estimate. There was provision reversal of Rs 140 cr towards stage 3 asset declining the coverage to 65% vs 68.5% in Q1. The asset quality has shown continuous improvement wherein Gross NPAs have reduced considerably from 3.42% in March '23, to 2.53% in September '24. Net NPAs have also reduced from 1.01% in March '23 to 0.88% in September '24. The provision coverage ratio stands healthy at 65.12% as at close of September 2024.

H1FY25 performance - In the first half of FY25, the company has sanctioned total projects worth Rs.188,991 crores, wherein they have sanctioned the highest category of loans in renewable space including Large Hydro of Rs.60,391 crores, implying sanctions of 32% in renewable energy space out of the total sanctions. So, it is on trajectory of outpacing the last year highest ever sanctions. In the quarter 2 of this year, they have sanctioned projects of Rs.76,200 crores wherein renewable sanctions stand at Rs.20,737 crores. The disbursements during the half year stands at Rs.90,955 crores, wherein the renewable disbursement stand at Rs.11,297 crores, making 12% out of the total disbursement portfolio. The total disbursement made in second quarter was Rs.47,303 crores and out of that, the renewables were Rs.5,946 crores. This signifies an increase of 20% in the total disbursements from the last half year of FY '24 than in the current half year of FY '25. And there's an increase in the renewable including Large Hydro disbursement of 93% in the current half year of FY25. The company has sanctioned projects worth Rs.60,391 crores in the first half, and disbursements have also gone up by 93% with respect to renewable energy sector.

Loan book during the half year has increased by a robust rate of nearly 15% YoY and loan book as of 30th September 2024 stands at Rs.546,117 crores, out of which state sector stands at 88% of the total book at Rs.480,818 crores, and the private sector stands at 12% of Rs.65,299 crores. The renewable book stands at 9% and has grown continuously from 30th September 2023 at Rs.29,833 crores to Rs.47,820 crores as at 30th September 2024. Now renewable book stands at 9% of total loan book.

The generation book is at Rs.150,937 crores; transmission book is at Rs.48,592 crores; distribution book is at Rs.219,990 crores; Infrastructure and Logistics sector in the core area is at Rs.16,504 crores; and Infrastructure & Logistics Sector Electromagnetic Components at Rs.49,308 crores. The STL and MTL stands at Rs.12,966 crores. So that is the total book of Rs.546,117 crores.

Key Conference call takeaways

AUM growth guidance

  • Asset under management is likely to increase in the next 3 to 4 years at the rate varying from 15% to 20%. Depending on particular quarter it can go to 15%, in some quarter it may go to 17%, and in some quarters it may go to around 20%. But on an average, it hopes to maintain this 17% growth in asset under management. But even if you take a conservative estimate, even if we grow at the rate of 15%, our asset under management would be double to about Rs.10 lakh crores by the year 2030. But if we are able to sustain this 17% growth, perhaps we may reach doubling the asset under management by the year 2028-29.
  • The management is focusing on the distribution sector due to the ongoing revamped distribution sector scheme and the need for infrastructure upgrades.
  • Management projects continued growth in renewable energy financing, with significant project sanctions and disbursements expected in the upcoming quarters. 
  • The company remains optimistic about maintaining a NIM above 3.6%, supported by robust loan demand in conventional and renewable sectors.

Borrowing profile

  • REC enjoys the highest domestic long-term ratings (AAA) from major agencies and international ratings of Baa3 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch.
  • Total outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2024 stood at Rs.475832 cr, with a diversified borrowing portfolio including External commercial borrowings and Institutional bonds.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Targeting a 20% market share in coal-based power plants and a similar share in the renewable energy sector by 2030.

Outlook & valuation

REC Ltd posted good set of numbers in Q2FY25 driven by growth in the renewable energy segment. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), a NAVRATNA Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power. REC is engaged in financing projects/schemes of power generation (both conventional and renewable), transmission, distribution, rural electrification, system improvement, renovation, and modernization of power plants in both public and private sectors.It provides financial assistance to State Electricity Boards, State Government Departments, and Rural Electric Cooperatives for rural electrification projects sponsored by them. REC provides loan assistance to SEBs/State Power Utilities for investments in rural electrification schemes through its Corporate Office located at New Delhi and 17 field units (Project Offices), which are located in most of the States. We believe that REC is well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in financing the entire renewable value chain. REC is a key beneficiary of the solar rooftop scheme. Management is upbeat, given growth guidance of 17% YoY, steady NIM at ~3.5%, and anticipated provisions reversal in FY25, which we believe signal a robust book value accretion and sustained earnings growth.

Opportunities in energy transition and infrastructure segments have opened growth avenues for power financiers. A healthy sanction-book provides medium- term loan growth visibility of 17-18% for REC. Stability in NIMs and continuous improvement in asset quality will drive earnings, with healthy return ratios.

REC is well positioned to deliver steady earnings growth in the coming quarters citing Strong Fundamentals and Profitable Business with Stable Margins leading to Strong Profitability, Experienced Management Team with Sector Expertise, Diversified Asset Base with robust Access to Diversified Funding Sources, Healthy Asset Quality with adequate provision coverage ratio, Occupies Strategic position in the growth and development of the Power and renewable Energy sector and creation of Green Energy Corridor, key beneficiary of the solar rooftop scheme. At CMP of Rs.545, the stock is trading at 1.5x P/BV of FY26E. We maintain HOLD rating on the stock.

Standalone Financial statements

Profit & Loss statement

Particulars (Rs. In cr) Q2FY25 Q2FY24 YoY (%) Q1FY25 QoQ (%)
Interest Income 13187.00 11213.00 18.00% 12500.00 5.00%
Interest expended 8507.00 7350.00 16.00% 8021.00 6.00%
Net Interest Income 4680.00 3863.00 21.00% 4479.00 4.00%
NIMs (%) 3.66% 3.75% (9 bps) 3.64% 2 bps
Other Income 408.00 377.00 8.00% 537.00 -24.00%
Total Income 13595.00 11590.00 17.00% 13037.00 4.00%
Operating expenses 194.00 194.00 0.00% 217.00 -11.00%
Operating profit 4894.00 4046.00 21.00% 4799.00 2.00%
Provisions -144.00 -760.00 -81.00% 472.00 -131.00%
PBT 5038.00 4806.00 5.00% 4327.00 16.00%
Tax expenses 1034.00 1034.00 0.00% 883.00 17.00%
PAT 4004.00 3772.00 6.00% 3444.00 16.00%
Gross NPA (%) 2.53% 3.14% (61 bps) 2.61% (8 bps)
Net NPA (%) 0.88% 0.96% (8 bps) 0.82% 6 bps