Kotak maintains sell on CEAT shares as rubber prices surge By Investing.com

On Monday, Kotak reaffirmed its Sell rating on CEAT Ltd. (CEAT:IN) with a price target of INR 1,850.00. In their assessment, Kotak underscored CEAT’s medium-term objectives, which include maintaining a leading position in the two-wheeler (2W) segment, aiming for a top-two position in the passenger vehicle (PV) segment, and increasing its export mix to over 25% by the fiscal year 2026.

The firm conducted a reverse Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis to evaluate CEAT’s prospects. The analysis suggests that for the company’s current market price to be justified, CEAT would need to achieve an EBITDA per kilogram of Rs 40.5, which is 12% higher than the levels projected for FY2024. Kotak expressed skepticism about the sustainability of these figures.

The recent increase in rubber prices has been noted as a potential challenge for CEAT, along with the competitive pricing strategies employed by rival MRF. These factors are being closely monitored by Kotak as they could impact CEAT’s financial performance.

Kotak’s position remains unchanged, retaining a Sell rating on the stock with a fair value (FV) estimate of INR 1,850.00. This valuation reflects the firm’s caution regarding CEAT’s ability to meet its medium-term financial targets amidst the current market conditions.

InvestingPro Insights

Kotak’s recent Sell rating on CEAT Ltd. draws attention to the company’s ambitious medium-term goals and the challenges it faces in the competitive tire industry. Complementing this analysis, InvestingPro provides valuable insights into CEAT’s financial health and market position. Notably, CEAT is recognized as a prominent player in the Automobile Components industry, which underscores the company’s established presence in the market. This is a key factor considering CEAT’s objective to maintain a leading position in the two-wheeler segment and to secure a top-two position in the passenger vehicle sector.

CEAT’s financial discipline is evident through its consistent dividend payments over the last 14 years, a testament to its commitment to shareholder returns. Moreover, analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, aligning with CEAT’s profitability over the last twelve months. These factors could offer some reassurance to investors, despite Kotak’s cautious stance.

InvestingPro data further reveals that CEAT operates with a moderate level of debt, which may provide the company with the flexibility to navigate the competitive pressures and the recent surge in rubber prices. While Kotak’s analysis via a reverse Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) raises concerns about the sustainability of CEAT’s projected financials, the company’s historical performance and industry positioning should not be overlooked.

For readers interested in a deeper dive into CEAT’s prospects, InvestingPro offers additional tips on its performance and outlook. There are a total of 8 InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed at https://www.investing.com/pro/CEAT, providing investors with more detailed analysis to inform their decisions. Use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking a wealth of financial data and expert insights.

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