Patel Engineering Limited (PATELENG)

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Summary from May 2024

Submission Details • Date of submission: May 24, 2024 • Compliance with SEBI regulations confirmed • Transcripts available on the company's website • Call held on May 21, 2024 • Key personnel included: • Ms. Kavita Shirvaikar (Whole-Time Director and CFO) • Mr. Rahul Agarwal (Head of Strategic Finance) • Mr. Aditya Bajaj (Investor Relations) • Moderated by Ms. Vaishnavi Ambokar (Kirin Advisors)

Economic and Sector Insights • Focus on Indian economy and infrastructure sector • Government commitment to infrastructure as a growth driver • Emphasis on renewable energy, particularly hydropower (45% of 18 GW projects) • Significant government funding for irrigation and water resource management • Anticipated surge in order inflow post-elections

Financial Highlights • Full-year revenue increased by 17% to INR 4,544.11 crores • Net profit rose by 71% to INR 264.10 crores • Improved debt position with reduced net serviceable debt • Cash balance increased to INR 338.7 crores • Working capital debt at approximately INR 1,100 crores • Finance costs decreased to INR 93 crores in Q4 FY'24

Operational Achievements • Inauguration of the Sela Pass Project (India's highest tunnel) • Robust order book of INR 18,600 crores (61% from hydropower) • Diluted EPS rose from 2.23 in FY'23 to 3.54 in FY'24 • Anticipated revenue growth of 10-15% in FY'25 and 20-25% in FY'26

Q&A Session Insights • Credit receivables of INR 554 crores discussed • Management confirmed order book of over INR 18,000 crores • Targeting an order book of INR 25,000 crores by FY'25 • Plans to reduce term debt by INR 200 crores this year • Strategic investment in a tunneling startup (10% stake)

Debt and Financial Management • Current debt at INR 1,880 crores • Working capital cycle improved from 250 days to 180 days • No immediate plans for further equity dilution • Expected annual arbitration receipts of INR 200-300 crores

Future Outlook • Anticipated revenue growth of 10-15% for FY'25, increasing to 20-25% in FY'26 • Optimism about government projects in irrigation and hydropower • Plans to monetize land bank valued at approximately INR 1,000 crores post-elections

Conclusion • Management expressed confidence in maintaining margins and managing debt effectively while pursuing new projects.

Summary from February 2024

Submission Details • Date of submission: February 15, 2024 • Compliance with SEBI regulations confirmed • Transcripts available on the company's website • Call hosted by Kirin Advisors on February 12, 2024 • Key personnel included Mrs. Kavita Shirvaikar (Whole Time Director and CFO)

Financial Performance HighlightsQ3 FY2024 Results: • Revenue increased by 11% year-on-year to Rs. 1,061.01 Crores • Net profit surged by 260% to Rs. 70.24 Crores • Order Book: • Current order book stands at Rs. 19,000 Crores • Focus on hydro projects, irrigation, and tunneling • Future Growth: • Expected revenue growth of around 15% in coming years • Anticipated government spending and project bids post-elections

Key Discussion TopicsPump Storage Projects: • Anticipation of numerous small hydro projects costing Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 Crores per megawatt • Land Parcel Monetization: • Cautious approach with preference for upfront cash offers • Debt Management: • Aim to maintain debt levels with an average interest rate of 11% to 11.5% • Operating margins expected to remain stable at 13% to 14%

Arbitration and Future Financing • Expected realization of Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 Crores from arbitration awards by March • Potential Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) of up to Rs. 500 Crores post-elections • Current promoter holding at 39.5%

Future Expectations • Anticipated order inflows primarily post-elections • Significant arbitration award of Rs. 52.88 Crores expected within the next year • Focus on domestic projects with some strategic projects in Nepal • Optimistic outlook for FY2025 with expected growth rates of 15% to 20%

Inquiries and Responses • Clarification on international arbitral tribunal award and costs incurred • Capacity to increase order book by 15% to 20% in the coming year

Conclusion • The call concluded with closing remarks from Vaishnavi Ambokar, emphasizing the company's optimistic outlook and strategic focus on growth.

Summary from November 2023

Submission Details • Date: November 7, 2023 • Transcripts submitted to BSE and NSE • Compliance with SEBI regulations • No unpublished price-sensitive information discussed • Key management present: • Ms. Kavita Shirvaikar (CFO) • Mr. Rahul Agarwal (Head of Strategic Finance) • Mr. Aditya Bajaj (Investor Relations) • Moderated by Mr. Gopal Chandak (Kirin Advisors)

Financial Performance HighlightsQ2 FY24 Results: • Consolidated revenue: INR 1,021.3 crores (up 23%) • Net profit: INR 32.2 crores (up 63.4%) • Stand-alone revenue: INR 1,012.11 crores (up 24.2%) • Stand-alone net profit: INR 41 crores (up 168%) • Order Book: • Current order book: INR 20,000 crores • Major projects: Dibang multipurpose hydropower project (INR 3,637 crores) • Hydropower: 60% of order book; 45% of ongoing projects in India • Irrigation: 21% of order book, expected growth due to government initiatives

Financial Outlook • Positive outlook for Q3 and Q4 FY24 • Expected revenue growth: 15% to 20% year-on-year • Anticipated order book growth: 8% to 10% • Concerns about margin drop due to higher costs during monsoon

Debt and Financial Management • Consolidated gross debt: INR 1,992 crores • Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.67 • Finance costs decreased to INR 91.6 crores • Plans to reduce debt by INR 200 crores by year-end

Q&A Session InsightsOrder Book Projections: • Management expects some delays due to elections • Subansiri Hydroelectric Project: • On track despite rainfall delays • Vivad se Vishwas Scheme: • Estimated realization of INR 150-200 crores • Geographic Expansion: • No current plans; focus on existing work in India • Cost Efficiency: • Monitoring systems in place; strong order book in hydro segment

Renewable Energy Landscape • Emphasis on hydropower's significance in India • Average borrowing cost: 11%-11.5% • Exploring funding from institutions like IREDA, REC, and PFC

Conclusion • Management remains optimistic about future growth and order inflow post-elections • Encouraged further questions via email for additional clarifications.

Summary from August 2023

Submission and Compliance • Date of submission: August 16, 2023 • Call date: August 10, 2023 • Compliance with SEBI regulations confirmed • Transcript available on the company's website • No unpublished price-sensitive information shared

Economic Context and Company Performance • Global economy recovering; India's GDP growth at 7.2% for FY2022-2023 • Government infrastructure spending supports growth towards a $5 trillion economy and net-zero emissions by 2070 • Sale of 41% stake in a subsidiary improved financial position • Credit rating upgraded to Triple B Plus • Significant project progress in Jammu, Kashmir, and Nepal • New contracts secured worth ₹1,320 crores • Financial results: • Revenue rose 24% to ₹1,118.6 crores • Net profit increased by 22.5% to ₹38.28 crores • Order book stands at ₹20,000 crores, focusing on hydropower and irrigation

Growth Outlook and Q&A Highlights • Growth target of 15-20% confirmed • Plans to bid on projects worth approximately ₹1,00,000 crores in hydropower • Expected new orders of ₹5,000 to 10,000 crores in upcoming quarters • Debt reduction strategy includes operational cash flow and asset monetization • Current debt at ₹1,955 crores, with a conservative reduction target of ₹200 crores for the year

Project Execution and Financial Management • Execution rates on track with growth projections • EBITDA margins maintained around 14-15% • Long-term revenue guidance of 15-20% growth based on order book • Order book expected to be executed over four to five years

Shareholder and Workforce Considerations • Dividends not feasible currently due to reinvestment needs • Workforce increased from 1,500 to 4,600 post-COVID • Focus on expanding into water segments while maintaining core projects

Additional Inquiries and Clarifications • Loss from discontinued operations explained as contingent liabilities • Recovery timeline for a ₹1,254 crore arbitration award estimated at 3-4 years • Annual capital expenditure run rate of ₹100 to 150 crores for new equipment • Closing remarks by Gopal Chandak concluded the call.

Summary from May 2023

Submission Details • Date of submission: May 19, 2023 • Conference call date: May 15, 2023 • Platforms: BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India • Transcript availability: Company website • No unpublished price-sensitive information shared

Key Management Personnel • Ms. Kavita Shirvaikar (CFO) • Mr. Rahul Agarwal (Head of Strategy & Finance) • Mr. Aditya Bajaj (Investor Relations & Marketing) • Moderator: Ms. Supriya Madye (Kirin Advisors)

Financial Performance Highlights • Strong performance despite global economic challenges • Record order book: Rs. 20,000 crore • New orders: Rs. 4,560 crore (hydropower and irrigation) • Q4 FY '23 revenue: Rs. 1,298 crore (up 16.77%) • Full-year revenue: Rs. 4,201 crore (up 24%) • Q4 net profit: Rs. 84 crore (up 298% YoY) • Full-year net profit: Rs. 154 crore (up 181%) • Debt reduction: Rs. 500 crore

Operational Metrics • Q4 FY '23 standalone operating EBITDA: Rs. 176 crore (14.8% margin) • Revenue breakdown: Hydro (57%), Irrigation (16%), Tunnels (15%), Roads & Others (12%) • Improved credit rating: Triple B with a positive outlook • Consolidated EPS: Increased from 1.51 to 3.19 • Debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved from 4.29 to 2.28

Q&A Session Insights • Arbitration awards: Expected realization of Rs. 200 crore from non-core assets • FY '24 guidance: 15% revenue growth, margins of 14-15% • Focus on core sectors: Micro irrigation, tunneling, hydropower • Order inflow target: Rs. 25,000 crore, 12-15% growth in order book • Debt reduction expectations: Rs. 200 crore decrease by FY '24

Project Updates • Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project: First unit expected by June • Joint venture with GR Infra for Dibang Hydroelectric Project • Payment schedules to be clarified upon receiving the Letter of Intent

Land Monetization and Financial Strategy • Land bank valued at Rs. 1,000 crore, plans to monetize 2,150 acres • Projected net reduction of around Rs. 200 crore in debt • Anticipated monetization of Rs. 80-100 crore from land sales in FY '24

Concerns and Future Outlook • Low PAT margin of 3.68% for FY '23 despite healthy EBITDA margins • Potential for improved PAT margins with reduced interest costs • Ongoing arbitration claims totaling Rs. 1,200 crore, expected to take 2-3 years for cash realization • Conservative growth guidance of 15% for the next two years

Conclusion • Management expressed confidence in achieving growth targets while remaining cautious • Emphasis on core EPC business and avoiding past diversifications that led to difficulties • Future discussions planned on land monetization strategies and financial outlook.

Summary from February 2023

Key HighlightsDate of Call: February 8, 2023 • Transcript Submission: Submitted to BSE and NSE on February 13, 2023 • No Unpublished Price-Sensitive Information: Confirmed during the call

Financial PerformanceConsolidated Revenue: ₹10,369.77 million (18.11% year-over-year increase) • Net Profit: More than doubled to ₹194.83 million • Order Book: Stood at ₹16,809 crores, with a focus on the hydro sector

Future OutlookGrowth Drivers: Increased infrastructure spending and a robust project pipeline • Rights Issue: Raising ₹3,250 million to reduce debt and meet working capital needs, with confirmed promoter participation

Promoter ParticipationShare Sales: Promoters sold shares to inject capital, which will be converted into equity under the rights issue • Rights Issue Clarification: Aiming to raise ₹325 crores based on current and expected order book

Asset MonetizationLand Sales: Approximately ₹60 crores received; ongoing discussions for further transactions • Non-Core Assets: Expected realizations of ₹1,800-2,000 crores from claims and land sales over time

Financial ConcernsIncreasing Expenses: Attributed to revenue growth and necessary expansions • Debt Situation: Current cost of debt around 11-11.5%; efforts to improve credit rating for lower interest rates

Margin GuidanceExpected Margins for FY23: Between 14% to 15% • Use of Rights Issue Proceeds: 25% for general corporate purposes, remainder for debt repayment

Growth PlansFuture Growth Focus: Hydropower, tunneling, and railways • Order Book Target: Increase from ₹16,800 crores to ₹20,000 crores

ConclusionNo New Orders: Reported for the quarter • Net Cash Inflow: Confirmed at ₹200 crores, with ₹130 crores already infused by promoters