Praj Industies (PRAJIND) provides turnkey plants and equipments for fermentation and distillation systems used in bio fuels processing (primarily ethanol related). It sells it products domestic Indian markets (about 70% market share), South East Asia (about 50% market share), and Europe (about 30% market share). It has been attempting to diversify in Brazilian and North American market but is still in very early investment/growth phase.
In addition to geographic diversification, it has also attempting at product diversification. It has begun working in other areas like Brewers, Agro Chemicals, Bio Chemicals, and Health and Wellness Products,
Praj Industries is small cap company. My objective here is to understand, if it will fit in my long term buy and hold portfolio. I like it because of very low debt.
Trend Analysis
The whole reason for any business to exist is to generate sales revenue and make more profits. At a minimum, the parameters listed below should have continuously increasing trends. All the data below is from 2000 to 2009. Continue reading rest of this article…
Graphite India Limited (GRAPHITE) is the largest manufacturer of graphite electrodes (90% of the revenue). It also provides impervious graphite equipments and GRP/ERP pipes and tanks (10% of revenue). It end customers, and applications are in metallurgical (ferrous & nonferrous), chemical and process, and aerospace industry.
Aegis Logistics Ltd (AEGISCHEM) is focused in supply management of oil and gas logistics. Liquid Terminal Division provides storage and terminal facility for oil and chemical products. Gas Terminal Division provides imports, storage, and distribution of petroleum products like LPG and propane. It services are related to sourcing of product, storage and port operations, arranging road and pipeline movement, shipping, and integrated supply chain management. This is small caps which has potential for long term buy and hold because it operates in infrastructure sector and has good financial management.
Blue Star Limited (BLUESTARCO) is India’s largest central air conditioning company with an annual turnover of Rs 2574 crores, a network of 29 offices, 5 modern manufacturing facilities, 700 dealers and around 2600 employees. Blue Star primarily focuses on the corporate and commercial markets. These include institutional, industrial and government organizations as well as commercial establishments such as showrooms, restaurants, banks, hospitals, theatres, shopping malls and boutiques. It also has leadership in the field of commercial refrigeration equipment ranging from water coolers to cold storages.
I have been trying to understand the options available for the index based investments that include index based mutual funds or exchange traded funds. In principle, I am fan of exchange traded funds because (a) they follow a given index; (b) no manager involvement; and (c) low cost structure. Index based fund investments are very good vehicle if an individual wants to avoid stock selection and just wants to follow the index performance. In general, for last 10 years, the NIFTY index has returned an average of 15.5% per year. This return excludes the dividend payments.
Voltamp Transformers Limited (VOLTAMP) is one of the leading player in customized transformers for industrial applications. It has a niche in 132kV market segment and now looking to expand upto 220kV market segment. The key aspect that I like about Voltamp Transformers is its focus on niche market. It has created a space for itself in industrial segments, has zero debt, and focus of controlled growth.
Hawkins Cooker Limited (HAWKINCOOK) is India’s second largest company engaged in pressure cookers and cookwares. The produces a wide range of other house hold and commercial cooking utensils. Its brands include Hawkins, Futura, and Miss Mary.
