Tirupati Starch and Chemicals, based out of Indore, is in the business of manufacturing maize starch powder and dextrose anhydrous, which are used as additives in the food industry. The company has generated reasonably consistent operating profits but somewhat erratic net profits as a result of debt financing – thereby exposing it to the interest rate cycle. It generated about 3 crores in net profits on revenues of 50 crores in the last 12 months and has a reasonable debt/equity ratio of around 1:1. The business, although appearing stable, is exposed to the risk of price spikes on its principal raw material – maize. It is also highly dependent on power for its operations exposing it to the risks of inadequate coal supply and power shortages. Moreover, the business doesn’t appear to possess any definite competitive advantage in this basic industry. Management have not declared dividends despite lack of reinvestment of profits for growth. Further, th...
An Individual Investor's Perspectives On The Indian Financial Markets