Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Akzo Nobel N.V. earlier announced its plans to exit India to focus on core markets where it holds a position of “differentiating scale.</li>
<li>JSW Paints has reportedly entered exclusive talks to acquire Akzo India, edging out Advent–Indigo and Pidilite.</li>
<li>Shareholders may tender in the open offer or stay invested for potential upside via JSW which has a long stellar track-record.</li>
</ul>


Akzo Nobel N.V. earlier announced its plans to exit India to focus on core markets where it holds a position of “differentiating scale.
JSW Paints has reportedly entered exclusive talks to acquire Akzo India, edging out Advent–Indigo and Pidilite.
Shareholders may tender in the open offer or stay invested for potential upside via JSW which has a long stellar track-record.


Akzo Nobel India [India M&A]: JSW Likely Buyer – Investors Should Assess Strategic Impact

Consumer Analyst / Channel Surveillance Specialist, Trudence Capital Advisors

Pranav Bhavsar

Consumer Analyst / Channel Surveillance Specialist

Trudence Capital Advisors

Trudence Capital Advisors Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst, holding SEBI registration number INH000015747. Our firm is dedicated to providing independent and unbiased research on Indian mid to large-cap companies. Trudence Capital is known for its counter-consensus views, with a focus on forensic research and on-ground primary investigations. Our research approach is thorough, involving detailed analysis of accounting practices and governance, alongside extensive channel checks.

Independent & Unbiased Research

<ul>
<li>The paint industry experienced significant challenges in Q2FY24, with most companies reporting subdued performance.</li>
<li>Asian Paints reported typical fluctuations in market share of 1-1.5%, while Berger Paints and AkzoNobel both reported gains in their respective market positions.</li>
<li>Asian Paints' current market share reduction and increased competitive pressure stem from its size and the slowing macro environment.</li>
</ul>


The paint industry experienced significant challenges in Q2FY24, with most companies reporting subdued performance.
Asian Paints reported typical fluctuations in market share of 1-1.5%, while Berger Paints and AkzoNobel both reported gains in their respective market positions.
Asian Paints' current market share reduction and increased competitive pressure stem from its size and the slowing macro environment.


Asian Paints (APNT IN) | Navigating Turbulence

<ul>
<li>We visited some paint dealers representing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asian-paints-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6354:1" rel="noopener">Asian Paints (APNT IN)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/akzo-nobel-india-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17499:1" rel="noopener">Akzo Nobel India (AKZO IN)</a>  to understand the current competitive intensity in the industry.</li>
<li>While three months is too short of a time frame to observe a significant change in industry structure, current signals seem to favor the incumbent. </li>
<li>Opus may influence dealers and painters, but what if consumers simply prefer APNT?</li>
</ul>


We visited some paint dealers representing Asian Paints (APNT IN) and Akzo Nobel India (AKZO IN)  to understand the current competitive intensity in the industry.
While three months is too short of a time frame to observe a significant change in industry structure, current signals seem to favor the incumbent. 
Opus may influence dealers and painters, but what if consumers simply prefer APNT?


India Channel Insight | Asian Paints (APNT IN) | Mindshare Master

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/berger-paints-india-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5431:1" rel="noopener">Berger Paints India (BRGR IN)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pidilite-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20573:1" rel="noopener">Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN)</a> are exposed to similar customers but different demand dynamics offering an opportunity to build an L/S trade.</li>
<li>The valuation premium commanded by PIDI over BRGR is not justified in spite of having a similar customer base, similar growth and capital allocation profile.</li>
<li>The Price ratio of the pair BRGR/PIDI has been trading in a tight range since September 2022 and is now showing signs of breaking out of the sideway trend.</li>
</ul>



Berger Paints India (BRGR IN) / Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN) are exposed to similar customers but different demand dynamics offering an opportunity to build an L/S trade.
The valuation premium commanded by PIDI over BRGR is not justified in spite of having a similar customer base, similar growth and capital allocation profile.
The Price ratio of the pair BRGR/PIDI has been trading in a tight range since September 2022 and is now showing signs of breaking out of the sideway trend.


Berger Paints (BRGR IN) / Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN) | Fundamental Factors Back the Signal

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<div><p>The Indian mutual fund industry has assets of almost INR 6.6 trillion across Multi cap, Large Cap, Large and Mid Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap and Flexi Cap equity schemes. Equity schemes classified as large cap need to have at least 80% of their assets invested in large cap stocks, large and mid cap schemes need to have at least 35% of their assets in large cap stocks and at least 35% in mid cap stocks, mid cap funds need to hold at least 65% of their assets in mid cap stocks, and small cap funds need to hold at least 65% of their assets in small cap stocks. Flexi cap funds can invest across market caps.</p></div><div>
<p>The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) publishes the list of the stocks in each market cap segment in January and July each year and mutual funds have one month to rebalance their portfolios to adhere to the new categorization.</p>
<p>At the next recategorization in July 2021, we see 7 stocks moving from the mid cap segment to the large cap segment with an equal number of stocks moving the other way, and 13 stocks are expected to move from the small cap segment to the mid cap segment with the 16 stocks moving from the mid cap to the small cap segment. There are 3 recent listings that will enter the mid cap segment with over 18 joining the small cap segment.</p>
<p>Historically, the stocks migrating upward to a higher market cap segment have outperformed stocks that migrate to a lower market cap segment over the 1 month and 2 month period post the publishing of the AMFI list. This can be attributed to fund managers realigning their portfolios to meet the new categorization. This provides opportunities to pre-position for the move and unwind post the announcement of the reclassification.</p>
</div>

The Indian mutual fund industry has assets of almost INR 6.6 trillion across Multi cap, Large Cap, Large and Mid Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap and Flexi Cap equity schemes. Equity schemes classified as large cap need to have at least 80% of their assets invested in large cap stocks, large and mid cap schemes need to have at least 35% of their assets in large cap stocks and at least 35% in mid cap stocks, mid cap funds need to hold at least 65% of their assets in mid cap stocks, and small cap funds need to hold at least 65% of their assets in small cap stocks. Flexi cap funds can invest across market caps.
The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) publishes the list of the stocks in each market cap segment in January and July each year and mutual funds have one month to rebalance their portfolios to adhere to the new categorization.
At the next recategorization in July 2021, we see 7 stocks moving from the mid cap segment to the large cap segment with an equal number of stocks moving the other way, and 13 stocks are expected to move from the small cap segment to the mid cap segment with the 16 stocks moving from the mid cap to the small cap segment. There are 3 recent listings that will enter the mid cap segment with over 18 joining the small cap segment.
Historically, the stocks migrating upward to a higher market cap segment have outperformed stocks that migrate to a lower market cap segment over the 1 month and 2 month period post the publishing of the AMFI list. This can be attributed to fund managers realigning their portfolios to meet the new categorization. This provides opportunities to pre-position for the move and unwind post the announcement of the reclassification.


India: Stock Reclassification & Active Portfolio Management

India

JSW Dulux Limited manufactures, distributes, and sells paints and coatings for interior, exterior, waterproofing, and woodcare and metal applications in India and internationally. The company offers a diverse portfolio of products, including decorative paints, automotive and specialty coatings, powder coatings, and marine and protective coatings, primarily under brands like Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon. It was founded in 1954 as Indian Explosives Limited and is headquartered in Kolkata, India.

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JSW Dulux (JSWDULUX IN)

Akzo Nobel India [India M&A]: JSW Likely Buyer – Investors Should Assess Strategic Impact

Akzo Nobel N.V. plans to exit India, focusing on core markets; JSW Paints likely in exclusive talks to acquire Akzo India.

Rahul Jain

Asian Paints (APNT IN) | Navigating Turbulence

Q2FY24 was tough for the paint industry, with Asian Paints facing market share reduction due to size and macroeconomic factors, while Berger...

Pranav Bhavsar

India Channel Insight | Asian Paints (APNT IN) | Mindshare Master

Exploring competitive intensity in the paint industry, current signals favor incumbent Asian Paints over Akzo Nobel India despite Opus influence...

Pranav Bhavsar

Berger Paints (BRGR IN) / Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN) | Fundamental Factors Back the Signal

Berger Paints India (BRGR IN) / Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN) are exposed to similar customers but different demand dynamics offering an...

Pranav Bhavsar

India: Stock Reclassification & Active Portfolio Management

There are a lot of segment changes expected in July when AMFI recategorizes stocks and mutual funds start to rebalance their portfolios. We...

Brian Freitas

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Akzo Nobel India [India M&A]: JSW Likely Buyer – Investors Should Assess Strategic Impact

​Akzo Nobel N.V. plans to exit India, focusing on core markets; JSW Paints likely in exclusive talks to acquire Akzo India.

Rahul Jain

Asian Paints (APNT IN) | Navigating Turbulence

​Q2FY24 was tough for the paint industry, with Asian Paints facing market share reduction due to size and macroeconomic factors, while Berger...

Pranav Bhavsar

India Channel Insight | Asian Paints (APNT IN) | Mindshare Master

​Exploring competitive intensity in the paint industry, current signals favor incumbent Asian Paints over Akzo Nobel India despite Opus influence...

Pranav Bhavsar

Berger Paints (BRGR IN) / Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN) | Fundamental Factors Back the Signal

Berger Paints India (BRGR IN) / Pidilite Industries (PIDI IN) are exposed to similar customers but different demand dynamics offering an...

Pranav Bhavsar

India: Stock Reclassification & Active Portfolio Management

There are a lot of segment changes expected in July when AMFI recategorizes stocks and mutual funds start to rebalance their portfolios. We...

Brian Freitas

Akzo Nobel N.V. plans to exit India, focusing on core markets; JSW Paints likely in exclusive talks to acquire Akzo India.

Q2FY24 was tough for the paint industry, with Asian Paints facing market share reduction due to size and macroeconomic factors, while Berger...

Exploring competitive intensity in the paint industry, current signals favor incumbent Asian Paints over Akzo Nobel India despite Opus influence...