#SOLARA Looking Good for Long-Term Holding around 1 Year
Strengths:
Established market position in key APIs, along with strong customer and supplier relationships: Solara has a strong portfolio of APIs in key therapeutic segments, with expertise in anthelmintic, anti-malaria, anti-infective and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory. Furthermore, it has been increasing its focus on the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory segment by adding capacity and working on other therapeutic segments. Solara has a diversified customer base, with more exposure to regulated markets. Its longstanding presence in the industry has helped Solara build healthy relationships with customers and suppliers.
Moderate financial risk profile: Solara's financial risk profile is moderate marked by comfortable capital structure, albeit constrained by expected weakening of debt protection metrics. Gearing remained healthy at less than 1 time as on March 31, 2023, while networth was robust at Rs 1083.01 crore. However, networth and gearing are expected to deteriorate to Rs 835.98 crore and 1.09 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2024 led by net loss owing to the fire incident. Debt protection metrics, likely to be negative in fiscal 2024, are expected to improve in fiscals 2025 and 2026. Improvement in financial risk profile would remain a key monitorable.
Weaknesses:
Exposure to risks relating to strict regulations: Most of the products manufactured by Solara face increased inspections and regulatory actions by authorities, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). Additionally, production of a few products involves waste discharge, which needs to be treated in effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Thus, Solara needs to invest continuously to upgrade ETPs and bring efficiency in the process to reduce waste discharge.
Large working capital requirements: Working capital requirements are sizeable as reflected in significant receivables and inventory of around 142 days and 156 days, respectively, as on March 31, 2023 and is estimated to be over 120 days each for fiscal 2024. CRISIL Ratings expects working capital requirements to gradually improve over the medium term with an increase in revenue contribution from the new plant. Correction in working capital requirements that shall aid liquidity shall be a key monitorable.
Volatility in operating profitability: Operating profitability fluctuated between 23.78% and 9.3% in the last 3-5 fiscal and in the current fiscal the company is making further losses due to the fire accident. Going forward, the ability of the company to demonstrate sustained improvement in operating margins will be a key sensitivity factor.
Established market position in key APIs, along with strong customer and supplier relationships: Solara has a strong portfolio of APIs in key therapeutic segments, with expertise in anthelmintic, anti-malaria, anti-infective and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory. Furthermore, it has been increasing its focus on the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory segment by adding capacity and working on other therapeutic segments. Solara has a diversified customer base, with more exposure to regulated markets. Its longstanding presence in the industry has helped Solara build healthy relationships with customers and suppliers.
Moderate financial risk profile: Solara's financial risk profile is moderate marked by comfortable capital structure, albeit constrained by expected weakening of debt protection metrics. Gearing remained healthy at less than 1 time as on March 31, 2023, while networth was robust at Rs 1083.01 crore. However, networth and gearing are expected to deteriorate to Rs 835.98 crore and 1.09 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2024 led by net loss owing to the fire incident. Debt protection metrics, likely to be negative in fiscal 2024, are expected to improve in fiscals 2025 and 2026. Improvement in financial risk profile would remain a key monitorable.
Weaknesses:
Exposure to risks relating to strict regulations: Most of the products manufactured by Solara face increased inspections and regulatory actions by authorities, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). Additionally, production of a few products involves waste discharge, which needs to be treated in effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Thus, Solara needs to invest continuously to upgrade ETPs and bring efficiency in the process to reduce waste discharge.
Large working capital requirements: Working capital requirements are sizeable as reflected in significant receivables and inventory of around 142 days and 156 days, respectively, as on March 31, 2023 and is estimated to be over 120 days each for fiscal 2024. CRISIL Ratings expects working capital requirements to gradually improve over the medium term with an increase in revenue contribution from the new plant. Correction in working capital requirements that shall aid liquidity shall be a key monitorable.
Volatility in operating profitability: Operating profitability fluctuated between 23.78% and 9.3% in the last 3-5 fiscal and in the current fiscal the company is making further losses due to the fire accident. Going forward, the ability of the company to demonstrate sustained improvement in operating margins will be a key sensitivity factor.