Indian cables and wires makers drop on UltraTech's entry

Ultratech Cement

27/02/2025 10:02

Updates levels, adds RR Kabel

** Indian cables and wires makers Polycab India POLC.NS, KEI Industries KEIN.NS plunge ~19% and ~21%, respectively, hitting lowest levels in nearly 11 months

** Havells India HVEL.NS slides 6% to lowest level in a year

** R R Kabel RRKA.NS falls ~20% to record low; shares debuted in September 2023

** UltraTech Cement ULTC.NS said it will spend 18 bln rupees ($206.3 mln) to start wires and cables business; ULTC down ~5%

** Analysts at J.P. Morgan see ULTC's move as disruptive for the wires and cables industry as it can lead to increased competition

** HSBC says ULTC's foray into the sector will likely have a material impact on industry leaders' growth and margins beyond FY27

** HSBC cuts price targets on POLC, HVEL, KEIN and RRKA by 20%, ~7%, 23%, 21%

** POLC, HVEL, KEIN, RRKA rated "buy" on average - data compiled by LSEG

** Year-to-date, POLC, HVEL down ~21% and ~8%

** KEIN, RRKA have declined 14% and 23%, YTD

($1 = 87.2530 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Manvi Pant in Bengaluru)

 ((Manvi.Pant@thomsonreuters.com; +918447554364;))