Update|Bank
Jan 02, 2019
Axis Bank
BUY
CMP
`620
Earnings to normalize with stabilizing credit costs
Target Price
`750
Axis is the third-largest private sector bank in India in terms of asset size, with a
Investment Period
12 Months
balance sheet of ~7.1 lakh cr and advances of 4.48 lakh cr (of which retail
contributes 48.6%). It has a network of over 3,882 branches with CASA of 47.7%.
Stock Info
The appointment of Amitabh Chaoudhary as MD & CEO for three years beginning
Sector
Banking
from January 01, 2019, shrinking stressed asset and incremental lending to high
Market Cap (` cr)
1,59,051
rated corporates would aid Axis Bank to restore investor confidence.
Beta
1.4
52 Week High / Low
676/477
Nearing end of NPA recognition and incremental lending to high rated
Avg. Daily Volume
7,72,545
corporates: Axis Bank’s GNPA was lower at 1.67% in FY2016, however it peaked
Face Value (`)
2
at
6.77% in FY2018, largely owing to legacy corporate loans (Watchlist).
BSE Sensex
35,891
Consequently, slippages jumped from
2.6% in FY2016 to
8% in FY2018.
Nifty
10,792
However, slippages for Q2FY2019 were lowest in past nine quarters. As on
Reuters Code
AXBK.NS
Q2FY2019, 60% of the bank’s stressed asset pool has been recognised as NPAs,
Bloomberg Code
AXSB.NATL
hence we expect the pace of incremental slippages to decline. Shift towards high
rated corporates (FY2016 - 62% to Q2FY2019 - 79%), reduction in slippages and
Shareholding Pattern (%)
healthy coverage of 58% (if we include technical write-off, 73%) on NPLs would
keep credit cost under control.
Promoters
25.0
MF / Banks / Indian Fls
11.4
Improvement in NIM and return ratio: Axis Bank’s NIM has been under pressure
FII / NRIs / OCBs
55.3
owing to higher slippages. However, we expect NIM to improve 30bps to 3.4% by
FY2020 led by (1) lower interest reversal, (2) bank has increased MCLR by 50bps
Indian Public / Others
8.3
in last three quarters and 54% advances are linked to MCLR, (3) opened 578
branches, which would help them to strengthen retail asset book but at the same it
would also help them to garner CASA and retail deposits.
Abs. (%)
3m 1yr
3yr
Return ratio to improve: Asset quality issue has adversely impacted ROE/ROA . We
Sensex
(0.7)
7.3
37.9
expect decline in credit cost and improvement in net interest margin along with
LTFH
5.8
11.9
38.9
growth in advances to normalize the return ratios.
3-year price chart
Outlook & Valuation: Axis Bank currently trades at 2.1x its FY2020E price to book
value (after adjusting value of subsidiaries). We expect the stock to get re-rated
700
owing to (1) new leadership, (2) limited stressed loan pool, (3) improvement in
600
return ratios (ROA/ROE - 1.1%/12.2% by FY2020E). We recommend Buy on the
500
stock, with a target price of `750.
400
300
Key Financials
Y/E March (` cr)
FY16
FY17
FY18
FY19E
FY20E
NII
16,833
18,093
18,618
21,771
26,195
Source: Company, Angel Research
% chg
18
7
3
17
20
Net profit
8,224
3,679
276
4,331
8,769
% chg
12
-55
(93)
1,471
102
NIM (%)
3.6
3.4
3.1
3.2
3.4
EPS (`)
32
14
1
17
34
P/E (x)
20
44
585
37
18
Jaikishan Parmar
P/ABV (x)
3.1
3.0
2.8
2.5
2.2
022 - 39357600 Ext: 6810
RoA (%)
1.6
0.6
0.0
0.6
1.1
Research Analyst
RoE (%)
17
7
0
7
12
Source: Company, Angel Research; Note: CMP as of 1/1/19
Please refer to important disclosures at the end of this report
1
AXIS BANK | Update
Research Team Tel: 022 - 39357800
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Disclosure of Interest Statement
Axis Bank
1. Financial interest of research analyst or Angel or his Associate or his relative
No
2. Ownership of 1% or more of the stock by research analyst or Angel or associates or relatives
No
3. Served as an officer, director or employee of the company covered under Research
No
4. Broking relationship with company covered under Research
No
Ratings (Based on expected returns
Buy (> 15%)
Accumulate (5% to 15%)
Neutral (-5 to 5%)
over 12 months investment period):
Reduce (-5% to -15%)
Sell (< -15)
Jan 02, 2019
5