Rupa & Company Limited (533552) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the Q1 FY '25 Earnings Conference Call of Rupa & Company Limited, hosted by Orient Capital. This conference call may contain forward-looking statements about the company, which are based on beliefs, opinions and expectations of the company as on date of this call. These statements are not the guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Hitesh Agarwal from Orient Capital. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Thank you, Neha. Good afternoon, everyone, and I am delighted to welcome you all to the earnings call to discuss the Q1 FY '25 results of Rupa & Company Limited. To discuss our results, we have with us from the management, Mr. Vikash Agarwal, Whole Time Director; and Mr. Sumit Khowala, CFO. They will take you through our results and business performance, after which we will proceed for the question-and-answer session. Before we begin the conference call, I would like to mention that this conference call may contain some forward-looking statements about the company, which are based on the beliefs, opinion and expectation of the company as on date of this call. The actual results may differ materially. These statements are not guaranteeing the future performance of the company and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. I will now hand over the call to the management for the opening remarks. Over to you, sir.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Rupa & Company Limited, I would like to warmly welcome all of you to our results con call, and we appreciate your time and interest in reviewing our company's performance. I trust that everyone had a chance to look over the financial results and investor presentation that has been uploaded on the stock exchange. We are pleased to report a stable performance in Q1 financial year '25, though the industry continues to witness resistance to any price increase. This quarter, we witnessed 7.6% rise in revenue, primarily driven by the sale in our core product line. Our volume growth for the quarter reached 9%, supported by sales in the economy and athleisure segments primarily. Our EBITDA saw a year-on-year increase of 59%, totaling INR 18 crore for the quarter. Net profit increased by 1.5x reaching to INR 10.5 crore for the quarter. Net profit margin improved by 280 basis points during the quarter. We invested approximately INR 19 crore in the branding and advertising, accounting for about 9% of our revenue in Q1 financial '25. Our presence in x-factor areas and modern trade remained strong with contribution from these areas at 18% and 8%, respectively. The pilot project, Pragati, which was launched last quarter in few selected areas, has received encouraging feedback from our distributors, and we expect healthy expansion of the project going forward. I'm also pleased to announce changes to our Board composition. Mr. Sumit Malhotra, Mr. J.P. Dua, Mr. Arvind Baheti and Mrs. Mamta Binani, has been appointed as independent directors of the company effective September 6, 2024. Each of these distinguished professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will be invaluable as we continue to drive our strategic vision forward. Their diverse backgrounds will enhance our Board's capabilities and provide fresh perspectives that align with our commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. We warmly welcome them to our team and look forward to their insights and leadership. In the last quarter, we guided a revenue growth of Q1 financial '25 to be in a range of 18% to 20%. Although we haven't fully made these expectations, we are on the right track to achieve our revenue growth of 12% to 15% for the financial year, primarily driven by the volume increase and improved consumer demand. We anticipate an EBITDA margin in the range of 10% to 11% for the financial year '25. With that, I would now conclude my speech and would like to hand over the floor to our CFO, Mr. Khowala, to brief you about the financial performance. Over to you, Sumit.

Thank you, sir, and hello, everyone, for joining us for our quarter 1 FY '25 earnings call. I will provide a brief overview of our financial performance for the quarter. Coming to the quarterly performance. Revenue from operations for quarter 1 FY '25 is at INR 210 crores, grew by 7.6% year-on-year. The EBITDA for the quarter stood at INR 18 crore as compared to INR 11.3 crores same period last year, registering a growth of 59% year-on-year. EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 8.6% for the quarter, up by 280 basis points year-on-year. The net profit for the quarter stood at INR 10.5 crores against INR 4.2 crores in quarter 1 FY '24, which grew by 129% year-on-year. PAT margins for the quarter stood at 5%, up by 280 basis points year-on-year. Cash generated from the operations stands at INR 44 crores positive, which has been majorly utilized in reducing our debt, and our company has become debt-free net of fixed deposits as at the end of quarter 1 FY '25. Our working capital as on quarter 1 FY '25 stands at INR 716 crore vis-a-vis INR 762 crores in FY '24. The total working capital days for quarter 1 FY '25 stands at 210 days. With this, I open the floor for question-and-answer session. Thank you, everyone.

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of [ Sahil Vora from M&S Associates ].

Sir, am I audible?

Yes.

I had a couple of questions. What are your plans for the Pragati scheme going forward? And which states are we planning to start the scheme?

Right now, we have tested in a few areas of U.P., Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh from where we have got a positive response. And gradually, we'll take it to and implement it in the whole state. And once we implement in these states, then we'll take it to other states as well.

Okay. Okay. And how is the thermal order book currently? And what is the volume guidance if you can provide us with some guidance for FY '25, that would be great.

Thermal order has been quite good, and we expect a strong business this year with a volume growth of, say, at least 20% to 25% should be a volume growth we should have in thermals.

And regarding the volume guidance for the financial year '25, it would be in the range of 12% to 13%.

The next question is from the line of [ Nivesh Shah ] from RBC Equity Advisors.

One thing that I wanted to understand is what are our CapEx plans for FY '25?

Currently, this year, we don't have any plans for major CapEx and major expansion plan. So there will be routine CapEx of INR 12 crores to INR 15 crores.

And if you could just give me a brief idea about the branding cost for FY '25 that we are planning.

In the first quarter, the ad spend stood at INR 19 crore, which is 9% of the revenue. In coming quarters, it will be rationalized. And for the year -- yearly guidance is around 6% to 7%.

Okay. Okay. Okay. And segment volume-wise growth, like for Q1 FY '25?

The economy segment grows at around 16%, mid-premium grows at 1% and the premium segment grows at 8%.

Okay. And like it would be a bit helpful if you could comment on how subsidiaries have performed during this quarter.

We have 5 subsidiaries, out of which Rupa Fashions and Rupa Bangladesh operations has not yet been started, and the remaining 3 subsidiaries had EBITDA positive.

Okay. And considering the situation in Bangladesh, like what is your outlook on that front?

That doesn't going to hit us, won't going to hit us at all, but -- and it might help us with our exports, garment exporting should be helpful from India because a lot of orders should come to India. So that angle can help us.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Varun Mishra from [ Buck for Invest Partners ].

Am I audible?

Yes.

Congratulations on a good set of numbers, sir. I had a couple of questions. Like, is there a possibility of any price increase in this quarter and the upcoming quarters as we see?

The cotton prices are stable and market is very competitive now, and we don't look -- it doesn't look like for next 2 quarters, we'll be having any price hike. And especially with the Bangladesh also, probably a lot of yarn export should not happen. So there should be pressure on the yarn. So I don't see any reason for price hike for next 2 quarters.

Okay, sir. And do we face any upward pressure as of now that might lead to a possible price hike in the future? Like, as you said, it won't be in the next coming 2, 3 quarters, but then post pricing do you see any possibility?

There is a steep increase in the yarn prices, we don't see any price hike, unfortunately.

The next question is from the line of [ Darshil Jhaveri from Crown Capital ].

Some of my questions have already been answered. So I just wanted to know, sir, like last call, in Q1, we gave a guidance of maybe 18%, 20% growth, but it turned out to be 7% growth. So what is giving us the confidence that, for the full year, we'll be able to do the 13%, 15% growth that you stated?

That's a valid question. Like first quarter, we planned and probably that's why our inventory is a bit high as well, and primarily what we feel there is a lot of because of an election disturbance and all in quarter 1, that didn't -- couldn't happen to what we wanted. But yes, a lot of efforts are going on and it should pay off in coming quarters.

And apart from that, the x-factor areas started growing and modern trade also start growing.

We are investing a lot in terms of building a team in export in modern trade and all. So those should gradually start leading up to this.

Okay. Okay. Fair enough, sir. And sir, just wanted to ask like on the overall, not maybe this year, but how do you see like over the next 2, 3 years, how will we grow? Because if we could just see like the last 3 years have been like similar trajectory, being stuck in a range. So currently, like how do we see that we'll get out of this? Like what will be the kicker that we will be able to increase our growth rate on a long-term basis.

The market is quite competitive. At the same time, there's enough opportunity in the market. So to grow by 12% to 15% CAGR is basically a company like us will have to look at, which we are planning to and aspire to. And we are putting up all the efforts in terms of it is modern trade, LFS, EBOs, export, we are building up a strong team. So in terms of opportunity, there is enough opportunity to grow by 15%, 20%. But yes, at least 12% to 15% is what we think we should be able to...

Okay. Fair enough, sir. And sir, I just wanted to ask with modern trade and exports, focusing more, so their margins are similar to our current business or how is the margin profile out there?

The margins are higher for modern trade compared to GT sales.

Okay. Okay. So maybe not, like in this year, we'll seeing 10% to 11%. So overall, in the next coming year, we might see some improvement in the margin, maybe not major, but 100 basis points or something -- because you've been able to do 12%, 13%.

Yes, absolutely, that's the minimum we should achieve. And with the change of mix and with the change of channels and all, the addition of channels that should be logically and easily achieved.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Rehan from Equitree Capital.

My questions are more or less been answered. I just had a question. Sir, basically, this quarter, we've done about 9% volume growth Y-o-Y and 8% is the revenue growth. So there's a value growth -- degrowth that we've seen. And for the financial year, you've given a guidance of 12% to 15% top line and volume guidance in the similar range. So do we expect that this whole year, we don't see any further -- like we don't see price hikes at all? Is that what you're trying to tell us?

Price like in the change for next 2 quarters, no, but with the change of mix and all, the -- this price hike will be there in terms of change of product mix and all.

Okay. And currently, our margins for Q1 were at about closer to 9%, and you've given a guidance for 10%, 11%. What will play? Do you think there'd be an operating leverage kick in? Or what is going to drive the margins towards 10%, 11% or even 12%...

[ Operating ] level also and with the thermals and outerwear, things are doing better and all. Those things should also do better.

Rationalized to 6% to 7%.

Yes. So that's another 2%, 3% effect.

Okay. And can you quantify the amount of high-cost inventory you're sitting on? As you mentioned, you're sitting on some high-cost inventory. Any amount you can share with us?

We don't have any high-cost inventory, inventory is piled up because of low sales in the first quarter that we have projected.

Okay.

Rationalize in the coming quarter. In this quarter, it should be fine.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Raj Malhotra, an individual investor.

Yes. Is my voice audible, ma'am?

Yes, sir.

And congratulations, sir, for the good sets of number. I have a few couple of questions to ask. Can you throw some light on your Pragati project that you -- that is going on? Second is, can you throw some light on your quarter 1 inventory and debtor days and demand outlook for FY '25?

Like in terms of Pragati, I mentioned earlier also, like we have started in a few pockets in Chhattisgarh, U.P. and Rajasthan, where we have got a good response. And probably we'll take it in another areas in these 3 states. And once we have complete rollout, we will take it to other states as well. In terms of inventory, yes.

In terms of -- the inventory days for the quarter 1 FY '25 is 159 days and the receivable days is 95 days.

Okay. And sir, demand outlook for FY '25, what do you expect?

So as mentioned, like we're looking for a growth of 12% to 15% and...

It will be largely driven by volume, and we don't see any price hike during next 2 quarters. So we -- I mean it would be largely driven by volume, and we are hopeful that with thermals growing, athleisure segment will perform better, we'll achieve this target.

Okay. And sir, one last question. Can you throw some light on the women's segment from your products? How is it going?

Women's segment, we are building up a team and the portfolio. So I think in coming quarters, we are working a lot, building up a team and all. In coming quarters, it should contribute to the total sales, say, roughly 9% of the total sales...

9%, right?

Yes.

At a yearly level, sir?

Yes.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Sanjay Munjal, an individual investor.

My first question is, how much cash we have on the books?

Yes. We have cash and cash equivalent, net of debts and all, it's around INR 11 crore. And apart from that, we have made an investment out in arbitrage fund of around INR 26 crores. So total, if we combine cash and cash equivalent with investment is around INR 36 crores.

Okay. And my second question is regarding the new launches. We have recently launched our rainwears in the -- as seeing our competitors. So is it getting good traction? Like how it is doing in terms of market?

Rainwear is a very seasonal product. So we have not launched in GT. We have just to test [Technical Difficulty] and trade. So this year, we will see the response because there are chances of having a lot of dead stock because it all depends upon the seasonal and how the rains and all. So probably next year, after second quarter end or maybe third quarter, we'll plan if we want to go in the GT or not. But as of now, it is just for modern trade.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Darshan Shah from SKB Capital.

At the outset, let me just thank the management for clearly laying out all the future plans for distribution because it helps us to see a vision of how you're going to grow. So my questions are largely going to be around the distribution end. So one of the first question I had, sir, was that in the last earnings call, you had mentioned to open about 20 EBOs. And I see in the presentation, you opened one in Patna. So I just wanted to know how many such stores we've opened during the quarter? And how many are we planning to open in the next quarter?

During this -- total EBO -- currently, we have total 29 EBOs. During this quarter, one EBO is closed and one new EBO is opened. So in coming quarters, in next quarter, we are planning to have 5 to 6 EBOs.

Actually, we are -- EBOs, whatever we have, it's a model, but we want to make it a viable model. So with these 29, 30 stores, we are consolidating. And once you have the right model, we want to expand it drastically. So it's a successful FOFO model. So probably in a quarter or 2, we'll have a more clear plan on how we basically want to go ahead with this.

Okay. And also, my second question was that what are our plans for expanding the modern retail stores and my central warehouses in FY '25?

Modern stores and all, we are building up a strong team and we think we'll be able to grow at least 20%, 25% in this segment.

Okay. And on warehouses, sir?

Of course, everywhere, DMart, Reliance, Metro, More, Spencer's, Style Bazaar, Amazon, in this e-commerce we are present in Amazon, Flipkart, JioMart, Ajio, Myntra, Tata CLiQ. So we are almost present in all the platform and should do well in coming time, yes.

Sure, sir. And on central warehouses, sir?

Sorry?

Central warehouses, your plans for central warehouses in FY '25?

No, that we are not planning.

Okay, sir. And sir, in the presentation, you've shown focused markets, growing markets and seeding markets. So does your distribution strategy vary depending on is the growing market, seeding market? So what is the primary go-to distribution channel that you use in growing and seeding markets?

The growing market, basically, what -- we have to retain this market. So in seeding market, we will build up a strong team and thereby to increase their market share. So if you see our expected area numbers, we see -- we have seen a good volume growth. So we are focusing on both growing market as well as seeding market.

Okay, sir. And finally, a question to the CFO. We've -- I've seen a jump in your subcontract expenses. So can you just highlight what is the capacity that we've outsourced the subcontract and the utilization level?

Cutting is totally inside and rest of the processes are -- I mean 50% in-house and 50% are on subcontracting basis. During first quarter, the thermal production is there. So subcontracting expenses are on the higher side. Going forward, it will be rationalized to 20% to 23%.

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we'll take this as the last question. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Hitesh Agarwal for closing comments.

Thank you, everyone, for joining us on the call today. I would also like to thank the management for spending the time and answering all the queries today. We are Orient Capital, Invest Relation adviser to Rupa & Company Limited. For any queries, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. On behalf of Rupa & Company Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.