This story first appeared in DNA Money edition on Thursday, Oct 18, 2012.
Swiss cement major Holcim will likely collect a hefty royalty from its two Indian listed subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cement, according to persistent but unconfirmed market talk. Experts tracking the sector said the talk has been around for some time, though ACC and Ambuja have been denying any such move.
Now, with the two companies in the silent period ahead of the announcement of quarterly results today, the buzz appears set to continue for a while. For the record, ACC officials declined to comment, while Ambuja Cement officials could not be reached.
Industry sources said parent Holcim has apparently been considering imposition of royalty charge to the extent of 2% of sales on both of its subsidiaries. It could be levied anytime in the third (Q3) or fourth quarter (Q4) of this fiscal.
The said 2% could translate into around or upwards of Rs 58 crore for ACC, given its April-June sales of Rs 2,919 crore. On an annual basis, it could be around or upwards of Rs 200 crore, given total sales of Rs 10,012 crore in 2011.
Similarly, for Ambuja, 2% royalty charge could mean an outgo of around or upwards of Rs 51 crore, given its April-June sales of Rs 2,566 crore. On an annual basis, it could be around or upwards of Rs 171 crore, given its sales of Rs 8,531 crore in 2011.
Such massive payouts could have serious implications for the two companies’ profitability, one reason the market buzz would not die.
For example, a levy of 1% of total sales may impact the earnings per share (EPS), an indicator of a company’s profitability, by 8-9% for ACC and 6-7% for Ambuja.
The EPS for ACC was Rs 69.29 for 2011 and Rs 8.07 for the quarter ended June; for Ambuja, it was Rs 8.02 and Rs 3.05, respectively.
Yet, an analyst with a leading domestic brokerage firm said: “I have recently interacted with officials of Ambuja. They said no discussion on royalty took place between the Holcim management and them and that there has been no royalty-related communication from Holcim either.”
But industry sources said it is normal for Holcim to collect royalty fees for access to technology, brand and technical support services from its units. Its units in Indonesia and the Philippines, for example, are understood to be paying around 2% of sales in royalty.
“In case of ACC and Ambuja, neither is using the Holcim brand. But it could be that Holcim is providing some technology and support services for which it may levy a charge,” said an analyst from a domestic brokerage. Other sources said ACC and Ambuja are already paying around 0.5% of sales to Holcim for the services of its corporate services group.
A Morgan Stanley study in June 2012 hinted that the two Indian companies may be paying fees to entities wholly owned by Holcim for access to technology, IT implementation, support and knowledge.
This, however, could not be immediately confirmed.
The Morgan Stanley study revealed that Holcim’s Asian subsidiaries pay royalty to their parent through Holcim’s Asian arms. Such payments are categorised under three heads: trademark fees; technology for operation; technical support / IT services and support.
“Interestingly, ACC and Ambuja Cements also currently make payments to these entities (Holcim’s Asian arms that receive royalty payments from Holcim’s other Asian subsidiaries). While the basis and nature of such payments are not defined in the annual report, ACC’s annual report describes them as ‘Payment for Training / Technical Consultancy’,” the Morgan Stanley report had stated.
The report also noted that ACC and Ambuja Cement are strong Indian brands and hence, it is unlikely they would pay any trademark fees.
Swiss cement major Holcim will likely collect a hefty royalty from its two Indian listed subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cement, according to persistent but unconfirmed market talk. Experts tracking the sector said the talk has been around for some time, though ACC and Ambuja have been denying any such move.
Now, with the two companies in the silent period ahead of the announcement of quarterly results today, the buzz appears set to continue for a while. For the record, ACC officials declined to comment, while Ambuja Cement officials could not be reached.
Industry sources said parent Holcim has apparently been considering imposition of royalty charge to the extent of 2% of sales on both of its subsidiaries. It could be levied anytime in the third (Q3) or fourth quarter (Q4) of this fiscal.
The said 2% could translate into around or upwards of Rs 58 crore for ACC, given its April-June sales of Rs 2,919 crore. On an annual basis, it could be around or upwards of Rs 200 crore, given total sales of Rs 10,012 crore in 2011.
Similarly, for Ambuja, 2% royalty charge could mean an outgo of around or upwards of Rs 51 crore, given its April-June sales of Rs 2,566 crore. On an annual basis, it could be around or upwards of Rs 171 crore, given its sales of Rs 8,531 crore in 2011.
Such massive payouts could have serious implications for the two companies’ profitability, one reason the market buzz would not die.
For example, a levy of 1% of total sales may impact the earnings per share (EPS), an indicator of a company’s profitability, by 8-9% for ACC and 6-7% for Ambuja.
The EPS for ACC was Rs 69.29 for 2011 and Rs 8.07 for the quarter ended June; for Ambuja, it was Rs 8.02 and Rs 3.05, respectively.
Yet, an analyst with a leading domestic brokerage firm said: “I have recently interacted with officials of Ambuja. They said no discussion on royalty took place between the Holcim management and them and that there has been no royalty-related communication from Holcim either.”
But industry sources said it is normal for Holcim to collect royalty fees for access to technology, brand and technical support services from its units. Its units in Indonesia and the Philippines, for example, are understood to be paying around 2% of sales in royalty.
“In case of ACC and Ambuja, neither is using the Holcim brand. But it could be that Holcim is providing some technology and support services for which it may levy a charge,” said an analyst from a domestic brokerage. Other sources said ACC and Ambuja are already paying around 0.5% of sales to Holcim for the services of its corporate services group.
A Morgan Stanley study in June 2012 hinted that the two Indian companies may be paying fees to entities wholly owned by Holcim for access to technology, IT implementation, support and knowledge.
This, however, could not be immediately confirmed.
The Morgan Stanley study revealed that Holcim’s Asian subsidiaries pay royalty to their parent through Holcim’s Asian arms. Such payments are categorised under three heads: trademark fees; technology for operation; technical support / IT services and support.
“Interestingly, ACC and Ambuja Cements also currently make payments to these entities (Holcim’s Asian arms that receive royalty payments from Holcim’s other Asian subsidiaries). While the basis and nature of such payments are not defined in the annual report, ACC’s annual report describes them as ‘Payment for Training / Technical Consultancy’,” the Morgan Stanley report had stated.
The report also noted that ACC and Ambuja Cement are strong Indian brands and hence, it is unlikely they would pay any trademark fees.
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