** Shares of Vishal Mega Mart VSSL.NS rise 1.2% to 138.8 rupees
** Motilal Oswal initiates coverage on budget retailer with “buy” rating
** Sets PT of 165 rupees, a 22.5% upside from stock's last close
** Brokerage expects revenue to grow 19% and PAT compound annual growth rate at 24% over FY25–28, driven by store expansion and strong private label portfolio
** Multi-category, own-brand portfolio acts as a strong moat for VSSL, and healthy store economics create room for accelerated store expansions – Motilal Oswal
** Avg rating of eight analysts equivalent of "buy", median PT is 139 rupees - data compiled by LSEG
** Stock up 30.4% YTD
(Reporting by Rudra Pratap Singh in Bengaluru)
((rudrapratap.singh@thomsonreuters.com))