ICICI Pru PMS Contra - Strategy Note - May 2024 (D)
ICICI Pru PMS Contra - Strategy Note - May 2024 (D)
STRATEGY NOTE
ICICI Prudential PMS Contra Strategy
(Contra Strategy) MAY 2024
PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
In the month of April 2024, the Contra Strategy generated return of 5.73%, outperforming the benchmark
return of 2.29%. The major contributor to alpha was a overweight allocation towards Banking & Finance and
Metals & Mining sectors. An underweight in IT sector also aided the performance. Repco Home Finance
Limited, a non-banking financial company and Godawari Power & Ispat Limited, a steel producer, were the
biggest contributors to alpha. State Bank of India, the country’s largest bank and Hindalco Industries Limited,
an aluminium and copper manufacturing company, also contributed to returns. An overweight in telecom
sector and positioning in Tata communication Limited marginally detracted alpha.
We continue to remain overweight in banking, metals, telecom and transportation sectors. We believe India's
current expansion phase characterized by robust earnings and growth augurs well for these sectors. We
remain underweight Pharma, Consumer facing sectors and IT sector.
TOP 5 CONTRIBUTORS
Stock Selection Contribution Sector Allocation Contribution
Repco Home Finance Limited 1.09% Banks & Finance 3.00%
State Bank Of India 0.73% Metals & Mining 1.98%
Godawari Power & Ispat Limited 0.59% Auto Ancillaries 0.51%
Bharti Airtel Limited 0.57% Transportation 0.44%
Hindalco Industries Limited 0.51% Real Estate 0.21%
#Top 5 stocks & sector contributors of the Portfolio mentioned in the table are the top on the basis of its weightage in the Benchmark Client portfolio multiplying by its return
since last 1 Month as on April 30, 2024
PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY
Stocks In Stocks Out
NTPC Limited
Stock Addition/Deletion The Great Eastern Shipping
Vedanta Limited
For April 2024 Company Limited
Bharti Hexacom Limited
PORTFOLIO OUTLOOK
The Contra Strategy aims to select companies in sectors that have high entry barriers, sectors that are in the
consolidation phase or companies that are in a special situation. Companies in the sectors like manufacturing
(metals, industrial products, and auto ancillaries) and manufacturing allied (logistics, corporate banks, and
utilities) which are coming out of tough macro cycle are posing good investing opportunities. These
companies have potential for growth and are available at reasonable valuations. This aligns with the
anticipation of robust domestic demand. Our strategic focus on this sector is driven by the identification of
more favorable risk/reward opportunities.
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not have any future
positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
Vedanta Limited is a prominent Indian multinational corporation specializing in the mining industry. It
operates a diverse range of mining and processing activities across several countries, including India,
South Africa, Liberia, and Namibia.
The management targets to spend USD1.9b for growth capex, which is to be split as USD0.4b for Oil
and Gas business, USD0.4b for Zinc expansion projects, USD0.8b for aluminum and power, and the
rest for others. Debt levels have peaked for Vedanta and deleveraging will be the key focus ahead.
The management guidance for EBITDA in FY25 stands at USD6.5b and at this pace, the company
anticipates achieving an EBITDA of USD20b+ over the next three years, accompanied by cash flows
of USD7-8b. This cash influx is expected to adequately cover both targeted capex and the USD3b
debt reduction in Vedanta Resources (VRL).
The demerger of businesses and potential sales of any assets will help the management to meet its
debt obligations. We feel the commodity prices have legroom to improve from here as well driven by
Chinese stimulus and improved demand in 2H.
Source : FY24 Earnings Presentation (vedantalimited.com), Motilal Oswal Report, Mar 2024
Bharti Hexacom, a unit of Bharti Airtel Ltd., provides fixed-line telephone and broadband services in
Rajasthan & Northeast circles in India that make up about 7% of industry customers. The parent
Bharti Airtel Limited, has a share of 70% whereas the remaining 30% is owned by Telecom
Consultants of India, a wholly owned undertaking of the Government of India.
Operation synergies and cost rationalization through its parent Bharti Airtel gives it an operational
advantage. The Bharti group has been one of the pioneers in the launching of 5G services across the
country and Bharti Hexacom is expected to leverage this advantage. Smart TVs’ and advent of OTT
platforms has become another focal point. The parent exercises management control over the
company and the full integration of operations, including common brand, products, operations and
common treasury, this strengthens future growth prospects for the company.
The company benefits from a lean capital structure thanks to reasonable spectrum costs, and an
asset-light setup; B. under-penetrated market implies ‘higher for longer’ growth. In the past three
years, the company has outperformed peers across parameters – subs/ ARPU/revenue/cash
EBITDA/cashflow/invested C. strong balance sheet/higher FCF generation. Bharti’s strong eco-system
is cherry on the cake.
Source : FY24 Earnings Presentation (bhartihexacom.in), Motilal Oswal Report, Mar 2024
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not have any future
positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
In the aftermath of COVID-19, India is experiencing a robust increase in power demand, and it is
anticipated that both base and peak power demand will continue to rise over the next few years.
NTPC stands out as a prime candidate to capitalize on the expanding market for power capital
expenditures, driven by grid security and the growing penetration of renewable energy sources.
Benefiting from both conventional (CO) and renewable (RE) sectors, NTPC has devised a strategy to
enhance its thermal capacity by 24GW and its renewable energy capacity by 64GW by the year 2032.
With 20GW of capacity already secured, NTPC is expected to expedite the expansion of its renewable
energy capacity. As India navigates the energy transition, there is a pressing need for additional
thermal capacity to maintain a reliable supply.
NTPC emerges as the most suitable entity to fulfill this requirement, especially in the face of waning
private sector interest in thermal capacity. The company has notably expanded its portfolio of thermal
power plants under construction from 9GW to 24GW.
Source : FY24 Earnings Presentation (ntpc.co.in), Motilal Oswal Report, Mar 2024
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not have any future
positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not
have any future positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
Source : Company Reports published by BNP Paribas Limited (January 2024), Financial Results – BP Equities Pvt. Limited – Result Update May 2024
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not
have any future positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not
have any future positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not
have any future positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
Source : Company Update publish by Sharekhan Securities Limited for January 2024, Rating Rationale by India Ratings and Capitaline database,
Financial results – Arihant Capital Markets Ltd - Result Update May 2024
The stock(s)/Sector(s) mentioned in this material do not constitute any recommendation of the same and the portfolios may or may not
have any future positions in these Stock(s)/Sector(s).
The information contained herein is solely for private circulation for reading/understanding of
registered distributors and should not be circulated to investors/prospective investors.
The Contra Strategy features mentioned herein involves risk and there can be no assurance that specific
objectives will be met under differing market conditions or cycles. The Contra Strategy features as stated herein
is only indicative in nature and is subject to change within the provisions of the Disclosure Document and
Portfolio Management Services Agreement. Please refer to the Disclosure Document & Portfolio Management
Services Agreement for details and risk factors. The details pertaining to the investment approach mentioned
herein is a subset of details specified in the Disclosure Document. Kindly refer the Disclosure Document for the
detailed investment approach before investing.