>FEDERAL BANK: Q3FY2012 results: First-cut analysis

Recommendation: Buy
Price target: Rs460
Current market price: Rs383

Result highlights

• Federal Bank's Q3FY2012 results were ahead of our estimates as the net profit expanded by 41% year on year (YoY) to Rs202 crore on account of a strong growth in the net interest income (NII). However, the asset quality disappointed as the gross and the net non-performing assets (NPAs) increased on a sequential basis after showing some improvement in Q2FY2012.
• The NII showed a strong growth of 18.1% YoY and that of 11% quarter on quarter (QoQ); the same was higher than our estimate. A growth of around 21% in the advances coupled with an expansion in the margins (calculated) supported the growth in the NII during the quarter.
• In Q3FY2012 the non-interest income showed a growth of 13.3% YoY. On a sequential basis the non-interest income expanded by 18% QoQ.
• The operating profit (pre-provisional profit [PPP]) increased by 17.4% YoY to Rs419 crore. The operating expenses increased by 16.5% YoY while the cost/income ratio was at 37% compared with 38.9% in Q2FY2012.
• The asset quality of the bank deteriorated significantly as its gross and net NPAs increased to 3.97% and 0.74% from 3.61% and 0.58% respectively in Q2FY2012. In absolute terms, the gross NPAs increased 9.1% on a sequential basis.

Outlook: Though in Q3FY2012 the bank showed strength in the core income growth, the deterioration in its asset quality is a cause for concern. The management has shifted focus from growth in advances to improvement in risk management, efficiency and portfolio mix, which is positive for the bank in the medium term. Currently, the stock trades at 1.1x FY2013 book value and we have a Buy recommendation on it. We will come out with a detailed note after attending the bank's conference call scheduled on January 24, 2012.

RISH TRADER