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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Investing in these 3 chemical sector stocks can give good returns now as sector is reviving
After a lull of about three years, India's chemicals sector now appears poised for an upgrade. If you are looking for a contrarian investment strategy , then you might want to take a small exposure to this sector. Here's why. On a rebound The sector saw a marginal but noticeable improvement in performance during the January–March 2025 quarter. While much of the gain can be attributed to the low base effect, analysts remain optimistic. Of the 32 companies tracked by Reuters-Refinitiv (with estimates from at least two analysts), 19—or 59.3%—beat net profit expectations for the quarter. Anuj Jain, Co-founder of Green Portfolio PMS, says the March quarter results signal the beginning of an upcycle in the chemicals industry after a pause of nearly 2–3 years. Though valuations remain high for several large-cap stocks in the sector, many mid- and small-cap companies are still available at attractive valuations. A bleak past The chemicals sector has faced persistent headwinds over the past few quarters due to muted demand, weak realisations amid pricing pressures, inventory destocking in the agrochemicals segment, and heightened competition from China. Data compiled from the Reuters-Refinitiv database for 139 chemical companies with a market cap of more than Rs.100 crore shows dismal aggregate revenue growth of just 2% and 3.4% in the June and September quarters of 2024-25, on a year-on-year basis. Nearly 54% of these companies underperformed the Nifty 500 index over the last year, while 66% lagged the broader market benchmark in 2025 year-to-date. Live Events Brokers upbeat, but wary A pick-up in domestic demand for RACs (room air conditioners) and the sheer rise in demand for gas used in refrigeration and air conditioning is expected to bode well for the sector. While a B&K Securities report highlights that the weakening of competition from within the European Union will open up export opportunities for Indian companies, it also cautions against the continued threat of strong competition from China. On the other hand, a gradual recovery is expected in the agrochemicals segment, supported by the rising demand for newer, innovative products and biological alternatives. A Motilal Oswal report released in March 2025 notes that prices in the global crop protection industry are likely to bottom out in 2025 across all key regions and product segments, paving the way for a more stable growth trajectory ahead. The B&K Securities report notes that a sustained recovery in demand from the EU27 block is crucial to boosting the export growth potential of the Indian chemicals industry. It adds that with inventory de-stocking now largely complete in European markets, both demand and volumes are expected to drive growth going forward. Challenges The US trade tariffs, low-cost dumping by Chinese manufacturers, and weak demand in Europe remain some of the major concerns for the sector. An April 2025 Kotak Securities report expresses hope for a decent recovery over 2024–25 and 2026–27. However, in the event of a prolonged tariff war, it cautions that there could be more substantial downside risk to these expectations. Here are three companies worth considering for a small exposure. These firms have reported double-digit growth in net earnings for the March 2025 quarter and enjoy the highest level of analyst coverage within the sector. SRF Q4 revenue and net profit beat estimates by 7.4% and 9.3%. Strong performance in specialty chemicals, refrigerant gases, and packaging films. 2025-26 revenue guidance at 20% growth. Elara Capital maintains an 'accumulate' rating, expecting gains from recovering demand. Navin Fluorine Q4 revenue and EBITDA beat estimates by 2.4% and 7.9%. CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation) and high-performance products drove growth. Refrigerant gas demand and better pricing supported performance. Management targets ~25% EBITDA margin in 2025-26. Prabhudas Lilladher sees strong long-term growth potential. UPL Q4 revenue and EBITDA beat estimates by 3.6% and 9.9%. Growth is driven by strong volumes, and inventory normalisation. 2025-26 revenue growth guided at 4-8%, led by volumes. Recovery in key markets and new products to aid growth. Antique sees balance sheet improving and growth momentum continuing.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science risen 8% post Q4 results, Dividend announcement. Buy or Sell?
Stock Market Today: Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science gained more than 8% during the intraday trades on Friday post Q4 results and Dividend announcement on Thursday after the market hours. Should you Buy or Sell the Clean Science and Technology stock? The quarterly consolidated net profit reported by Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science and Technology increased by 5.89% from Rs. 70.09 crore in January - March 2024 quarter to Rs. 74.23 crore in January - March 2025 quarter. The reported net sales for the March 2025quarter for Clean Science and Technology Ltd stood at ₹ 263.68 crore, up 15.89% from March 2024's ₹ 227.53 crore. The Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amrotisation increased 7.91% from Rs. 108.57 crore in March 2024 to Rs. 117.16 crore in March 2025. Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd - For Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science and Technology Motilal Oswal Financial Services or MOFSL expects a revenue, Ebitda /EBITDA and net profit compounded annual growth of CAGR of 26%, 24% and 30% during FY25-27 respectively. The company is expected to generate around ₹ 190 Crore in Free Cash Flow during FY26-27, with a planned capex of ₹ 600 crore over the same period. The stock is currently trading at 32 times FY27 estimated Earnings per share or EPS of ₹ 42 and 23 times FY27 estimated EV/EBITDA. MOFSL value the stock at 30 times FY27 estimated EPS to arrive at their target price of ₹ 1,260 and hence have Neutral Ratings for the Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science Prabhudas Lilladher says that for or the Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science looking ahead, the new capex initiatives are expected to be key growth drivers. Clean Science construction has commenced on a second performance chemical plant focused on water treatment, which is scheduled to be operational by the margin profile as per Prabhudas Lilladher may come under some pressure, as certain new products are expected to have lower profitability compared to the company's legacy portfolio. At its current valuation of 37 times FY27 Earnings per Share, they maintain a 'Hold' rating on Clean Science, with a target price of ₹ 1,361 valuing it at 38 times FY27 EPS B&K Securities however has Buy Ratings for the Mid-Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science with a target price of ₹ 1716 B&K Securities analysts say that based on expanded HALS product basket, ongoing scale up, and widening geographical footprint, the company expects to clock 4,500 MT volumes garnering ₹ 210 Crore revenues and capturing 65% of domestic market share in HALS in the coming year. Mid Cap Specialty chemical stock Clean Science two new performance products, slated for commercialization in August-25 and February-26 are also expected to aid FY26E growth while legacy portfolio to grow at around 5-6% YoY in line with the industry growth. B&K Securities expects robust growth in FY27 backed by further scale-up from HALS and the newly introduced two performance products while supported by products such as DHDT, Barbituric Acid, and BHT. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
European chemical industry woes present market opportunity for India: Report
NEW DELHI: is well-positioned to capitalise on ongoing disruptions in , according to a recent analysis by B&K Securities, as reported by news agency ANI. The report highlights that high operational costs across the EU27 have eroded production efficiency, opening a window for to expand their presence in the region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, the opportunity comes with significantchallenges, including intensified competition from China and weakening demand within the European market. 'EU's struggles present Indian chemical companies with an opportunity to gain market share; however, they face hurdles such as Chinese predatory pricing — which undermines Indian competitiveness,' the report notes. China remains a dominant force in the global chemical sector, and its aggressive pricing strategies continue to pose a significant obstacle to Indian exporters aiming to grow their footprint in Europe. Compounding the issue is sluggish European demand. According to recent data from the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), the EU chemical sector began 2025 on a subdued note, with expected annual growth of less than 0.5 per cent — a sharp decline from 2.5 per cent in 2024. A major factor driving this downturn is the high cost of energy. European gas prices currently stand at 3.3 times those in the US, undercutting industrial competitiveness and dragging down chemical production across the region. Despite these headwinds, India maintains a strong trade relationship with the EU27. It ranks as the fifth-largest chemical exporter to the bloc, accounting for 2.0 per cent of EU chemical imports, valued at €11.9 billion. In contrast, EU chemical exports to India total €6.0 billion. While European market disruptions present Indian firms with a strategic opportunity, the B&K analysis underscores that future gains will hinge on a recovery in EU demand and India's ability to withstand ongoing pressure from Chinese pricing practices. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Sustained recovery in European demand is essential for long-term growth in Indian chemical exports,' the report concludes. 'Until then, Indian companies may find it difficult to fully leverage their competitive positioning in the global market.'
