Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The Indian IT Service companies all expect double-digit top-line growth for FY2022 (to end March 2022), which is a significant acceleration from what they have delivered over the past 5+ years, but very achievable due to the low base set during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in FY2021. 
With all these companies currently trading at historically peak valuation levels, the key controversy on these stocks is whether this is still the early stages of a 3-5yr heightened growth period and whether this has already been priced in. 
With the Indian IT Services sector set to record exceptional growth acceleration, at least for the early part of the coming financial year, in this insight, I analyse whether a multi-year hyper-growth scenario is already priced in, by looking at earnings forecasts, relative valuation levels, and implied future growth rates.

The Indian IT Service companies all expect double-digit top-line growth for FY2022 (to end March 2022), which is a significant acceleration from what they have delivered over the past 5+ years, but very achievable due to the low base set during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in FY2021. 
With all these companies currently trading at historically peak valuation levels, the key controversy on these stocks is whether this is still the early stages of a 3-5yr heightened growth period and whether this has already been priced in. 
With the Indian IT Services sector set to record exceptional growth acceleration, at least for the early part of the coming financial year, in this insight, I analyse whether a multi-year hyper-growth scenario is already priced in, by looking at earnings forecasts, relative valuation levels, and implied future growth rates.

Indian IT Services: Is a Multi-Year Hyper-Growth Scenario Priced In?

Smartkarma Research Team, Smartkarma

Smartkarma Research

Smartkarma Research Team

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

On our next webinar, we're happy to welcome back Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/wium-malan-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:9615" rel="noopener">Wium Malan, CFA</a> who will share an updated view on key IT services companies in India. The webinar will cover <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tata-consultancy-svcs-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18708:1" rel="noopener">Tata Consultancy Svcs (TCS IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infosys-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:267:1" rel="noopener">Infosys Ltd (INFO IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wipro-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15360:1" rel="noopener">Wipro Ltd (WPRO IN)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hcl-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20025:1" rel="noopener">Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN)</a>, as Indian IT services companies expect significant growth in FY2022 - albeit off a low base. Is this the start of a hyper-growth period, and has this already been priced into their lofty valuations?
<h3>The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.</h3>
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<h2><a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1H9pFZOB-RF2J00kbvMmxcw2c5gj?zoom_webinar_id=85689024246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register for the Webinar here</a></h2>
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Wium Malan is a Global Equity Analyst with 13+ years of experience on the Buy-side covering companies in Emerging and Developed markets. He specialises in Fundamental and Quantitative analysis on companies in the Internet, Telecommunication, Media, Technology, IT Services, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, and other Industrial sectors.

On our next webinar, we're happy to welcome back Insight Provider Wium Malan, CFA who will share an updated view on key IT services companies in India. The webinar will cover Tata Consultancy Svcs (TCS IN), Infosys Ltd (INFO IN), Wipro Ltd (WPRO IN), and Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN), as Indian IT services companies expect significant growth in FY2022 - albeit off a low base. Is this the start of a hyper-growth period, and has this already been priced into their lofty valuations?
The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.

Register for the Webinar here

Wium Malan is a Global Equity Analyst with 13+ years of experience on the Buy-side covering companies in Emerging and Developed markets. He specialises in Fundamental and Quantitative analysis on companies in the Internet, Telecommunication, Media, Technology, IT Services, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, and other Industrial sectors.

Smartkarma Webinar | Indian IT Services: Picks and Pans

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices. Companies mentioned this week:<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/top-glove-corp-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20759:1" rel="noopener">Top Glove Corp (TOPG MK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coupang" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28425:1" rel="noopener">Coupang (CPNG US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hon-hai-precision-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:745:1" rel="noopener">Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tata-consultancy-svcs-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18708:1" rel="noopener">Tata Consultancy Svcs (TCS IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infosys-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:267:1" rel="noopener">Infosys Ltd (INFO IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hcl-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20025:1" rel="noopener">Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wipro-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15360:1" rel="noopener">Wipro Ltd (WPRO IN)</a>

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices. Companies mentioned this week:Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS), Top Glove Corp (TOPG MK), Naver Corp (035420 KS), Coupang (CPNG US), Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT), TSMC (2330 TT), Tata Consultancy Svcs (TCS IN), Infosys Ltd (INFO IN), Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN), Wipro Ltd (WPRO IN)

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 2 April 2021

The earnings momentum behind the sector is currently extraordinarily strong, with all four companies reporting an acceleration in revenue growth rates, record operating margins and a continued strong medium-term demand outlook, driven by accelerated cloud adoption and digitalisation, across many verticals and geographies. These companies are also set to record strong y/y growth numbers over the next two quarters given the low base from last year’s pandemic-hit fiscal 4Q20 and 1Q21. However, following phenomenal share price performance from its March-2020 lows, this has been reflected in valuations as these companies now trade at record valuation multiples, on based on significantly upgraded earnings growth expectations. In this insight, after a brief overview of the recent reporting season and the outlook for the industry, I look at what long-term growth expectations are implied by current valuation levels, based on the Justified PE calculation. I also compare this to other high-quality Indian companies.

The earnings momentum behind the sector is currently extraordinarily strong, with all four companies reporting an acceleration in revenue growth rates, record operating margins and a continued strong medium-term demand outlook, driven by accelerated cloud adoption and digitalisation, across many verticals and geographies. These companies are also set to record strong y/y growth numbers over the next two quarters given the low base from last year’s pandemic-hit fiscal 4Q20 and 1Q21. However, following phenomenal share price performance from its March-2020 lows, this has been reflected in valuations as these companies now trade at record valuation multiples, on based on significantly upgraded earnings growth expectations. In this insight, after a brief overview of the recent reporting season and the outlook for the industry, I look at what long-term growth expectations are implied by current valuation levels, based on the Justified PE calculation. I also compare this to other high-quality Indian companies.

Indian IT Services: What Justified PE Ratios Tell Us About Sustainable Growth Expectations

The key takeaways, from the recent reporting season, was that 1) management teams seem more upbeat about growth going forward, driven by accelerated adoption of cloud services and investments in technology solutions, which they believe could drive a multiyear growth story, 2) the significant majority of deal momentum is driven by smaller engagements (apart from maybe Infosys), and 3) companies are reinstating salary increases given confidence on the growth outlook and significant margin recovery following steep discretionary cost cuts in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has significantly outperformed the local index over the past 3-months, delivering over 30% local currency share price return, on average. These companies are, however, currently trading at peak valuation multiples, based on sell-side estimates which, in most cases, are already well ahead of management guidance.Given the strong share price performance and peak valuation multiple levels, based on arguably elevated earnings, I am turning bearish on the sector despite the strong medium-term growth outlook. The numbers which are currently baked-in leave truly little room for disappointment at a time when we are going into a seasonally weaker quarter, impacted by employee furloughs and possible margin headwinds. These remain extremely high-quality companies which will benefit from accelerated technology investments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I would wait for a better entry point.<div class="content-highlight">
 Please also see previous notes on the subject:
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smartkarma-webinar-indian-it-services-picks-and-pans" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42241" rel="noopener">Smartkarma Webinar | Indian IT Services: Picks and Pans</a> 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/indian-it-services-covid-19-revenue-impact-troughed-recovery-already-priced-in" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41387" rel="noopener">Indian IT Services: COVID-19 Revenue Impact Troughed, Recovery Already Priced In?</a> 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/wipro-net-cash-equal-to-24-of-its-market-cap-deep-value-or-a-value-trap" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39663" rel="noopener">Wipro: Net Cash Equal to 24% of Its Market Cap, Deep Value or a Value Trap?</a> 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tata-consultancy-services-premium-at-excessive-levels-pricing-in-overly-optimistic-relative-growth" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:38750" rel="noopener">Tata Consultancy Services: Premium at Excessive Levels, Pricing in Overly Optimistic Relative Growth</a> 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hcl-technologies-doubts-over-organic-growth-eroding-returns-drives-undeserved-discount-rating" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:38545" rel="noopener">HCL Technologies: Doubts over Organic Growth, Eroding Returns, Drives Undeserved Discount Rating</a> 
</div>

The key takeaways, from the recent reporting season, was that 1) management teams seem more upbeat about growth going forward, driven by accelerated adoption of cloud services and investments in technology solutions, which they believe could drive a multiyear growth story, 2) the significant majority of deal momentum is driven by smaller engagements (apart from maybe Infosys), and 3) companies are reinstating salary increases given confidence on the growth outlook and significant margin recovery following steep discretionary cost cuts in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has significantly outperformed the local index over the past 3-months, delivering over 30% local currency share price return, on average. These companies are, however, currently trading at peak valuation multiples, based on sell-side estimates which, in most cases, are already well ahead of management guidance.Given the strong share price performance and peak valuation multiple levels, based on arguably elevated earnings, I am turning bearish on the sector despite the strong medium-term growth outlook. The numbers which are currently baked-in leave truly little room for disappointment at a time when we are going into a seasonally weaker quarter, impacted by employee furloughs and possible margin headwinds. These remain extremely high-quality companies which will benefit from accelerated technology investments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I would wait for a better entry point.
 Please also see previous notes on the subject:
Smartkarma Webinar | Indian IT Services: Picks and Pans 
Indian IT Services: COVID-19 Revenue Impact Troughed, Recovery Already Priced In? 
Wipro: Net Cash Equal to 24% of Its Market Cap, Deep Value or a Value Trap? 
Tata Consultancy Services: Premium at Excessive Levels, Pricing in Overly Optimistic Relative Growth 
HCL Technologies: Doubts over Organic Growth, Eroding Returns, Drives Undeserved Discount Rating 


Indian IT Services: Valuation and Earnings Levels Suggest We Are Nearing the Point-Of-Peak-Optimism

India

HCLTech is a global technology services and consulting company that provides a comprehensive range of software and infrastructure solutions. The company offers IT and business services, engineering and R&D services, and HCLSoftware products, focusing on digital, cloud, AI, and engineering solutions to help enterprises transform their businesses. HCLTech is headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, and was spun out in 1991.

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HCLTech (HCLT IN)

Indian IT Services: Is a Multi-Year Hyper-Growth Scenario Priced In?

With the Indian IT Services sector set to record exceptional growth acceleration, in this insight, I analyse whether a multi-year hyper-growth...

Wium Malan, CFA

Smartkarma Webinar | Indian IT Services: Picks and Pans

On 12 May, 5pm SGT, join us as we welcome back Wium Malan, who will share an updated view on key IT services companies in India like Tata...

Smartkarma Research

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 2 April 2021

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity...

Wium Malan, CFA

Indian IT Services: What Justified PE Ratios Tell Us About Sustainable Growth Expectations

In this insight, I look at the long-term growth expectations implied by current valuation levels, based on a Justified PE calculation. I also...

Wium Malan, CFA

Indian IT Services: Valuation and Earnings Levels Suggest We Are Nearing the Point-Of-Peak-Optimism

Given the strong share price performance and peak valuation multiple levels, based on arguably elevated earnings, I am turning bearish on the...

Wium Malan, CFA

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