This article provides an in-depth fundamental analysis of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd, an Indian manufacturer of Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM).
In order to benefit the maximum from this article, an investor should focus more on the process of analysis instead of looking for good or bad aspects of the company. She should learn the interpretation of different types of data and transactions and pay attention to the parts of annual reports etc used to get the information. This will help her in improving her stock analysis skills.
Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd Research Report by Reader
Q: Hi Vijay Sir. First, I must say that I am very impressed by the extensive research you do before stock selection. Also, thank you for your assistance in helping us with our research with your views.
Can you please advise me on Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd, a micro-cap stock with a market capitalization of INR 120 cr?
Vinyl Chemicals is a Pidilite Group company that was into the manufacturing of Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM). But because this business was continuously loss-making, it was de-merged into Pidilite Industries Ltd in 2008 and since then Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd has been into trading VAM.
- Sales and net profits of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd have been growing decently well since then.
- The Average ROE of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd over the past 5 years has been consistently high.
- However, Operating profit margins are low as is the net profit margins.
- Debt to Equity of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd is low at 0.02 and
- the company seems to be consistently paying tax @30%.
- The Dividend payout of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd has also been good for the past couple of years.
Keeping in mind that the management is trustworthy (promoters of the Pidilite group) and at a P/E of 6.41, Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd seems to be undervalued.
Can you please let me know your views on Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd? Can it be invested in the long term? Thanks a lot,
Dr Vijay Malik’s Response
Thanks for your feedback & appreciation! I am happy that you found the articles useful!
Financial Analysis of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd:
Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd has been growing its sales at a good pace of 25-30% year on year since FY2009 after it sold its manufacturing plant to Pidilite Industries Ltd. However, since then it has become a purely trading company, whose only job is to import Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) and sell it in India. Out of total sales, it sells about 80% to Pidilite Industries Ltd.
This business activity is very low value-adding where a company only buys a product from one place and sells it at another. Such businesses do not command high-profit margins and the same is visible in the case of the company as well. As pointed out by you, operating profit margins (OPM) have been varying from 0-4% and net profit margins (NPM) have been fluctuating from 1-5% over the years.
The financial data indicates that Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd is not able to pass on the increase in the cost of VAM to its major buyer Pidilite Industries Ltd, even though it is a group company. In years FY2010 & FY2011, its operating activity (trading of VAM) barely produced any profit. The company could show profits only due to non-operating/other income. Since FY2012, the performance seems to be improving, however, the low value-adding business of trading does not provide the confidence of any bumper business performance in future.
The company has been paying taxes nearly at the rate of the standard corporate tax rate in India, which is a good sign.
Further advised reading: How to do Business Analysis of Chemical Companies
Operating Efficiency Analysis of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd:
The operating efficiency parameters of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd reflect that it has not been able to improve its efficiency levels over the years. Inventory turnover ratio and receivables days have been showing a deteriorating trend over the years. Net fixed assets turnover though at very high levels, does not provide any meaningful information for a trading company, which only has to buy & sell a product.
The company has not been able to convert its profits into cash flow from operations. PAT for the last 10 years (FY2005-14) is INR 28 cr. whereas the CFO over a similar period is negative INR 2 cr. Even if we compare the PAT & CFO since FY2009, when the company became a purely trading company, its PAT is INR 29 cr. (FY2009-14), whereas CFO for the same period is INR 5 cr.
Delayed collections from Pidilite Industries Ltd, its primary customer, is getting reflected by increasing receivables days. Effectively, Pidilite Industries Ltd is decreasing its cost of funds (working capital) by delaying payments to the company. Similarly, decreasing inventory turnover ratio also indicates that more funds are now being stuck in inventory.
Margin of Safety in the market price of Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd:
Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd is currently available at a P/E ratio of about 7.5.
However, we recommend that an investor may read the following articles to assess the PE ratio to be paid for any stock, taking into account the strength of the business model of the company as well. The strength in the business model of any company is measured by way of its self-sustainable growth rate and the free cash flow generating the ability of the company.
In the absence of any strength in the business model of the company, a low PE ratio of the company’s stock may be signs of a value trap where instead of being a bargain; the low valuation of the stock price may represent the poor business dynamics of the company.
- 3 Principles to Decide the Ideal P/E Ratio of a Stock for Value Investors
- How to Earn High Returns at Low Risk – Invest in Low P/E Stocks
- Hidden Risk of Investing in High P/E Stocks
Analysis Summary
Overall, Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd seems to be a trading company growing at a fast pace but unable to maintain its profit margins due to low bargaining power with its customers. The company has seen its operating efficiency decline over the years, which mainly seems to be due to arrangements with its major customer & group company Pidilite Industries Ltd. The company is currently debt-free and has seen its business improving recently. However, the low value-adding trading business does not generate a lot of confidence in sustained performance.
These are my views about Vinyl Chemicals (India) Ltd. However, you should do your own analysis before making any investment-related decision about the company.
You may use the following steps to analyse the company: “How to do Detailed Analysis of a Company“
Hope it helps!
Regards,
P.S.
- Subscribe to Dr Vijay Malik’s Recommended Stocks: Click here
- Mumbai “Peaceful Investing” Workshop, July 27, 2025: Register here
- To learn stock investing through videos, you may subscribe to the Peaceful Investing – Workshop Videos
- 25% savings on buying our Stock Analysis Excel Template and all ebooks together: Analysis Package: Excel Template + All eBooks (25% savings)
- To download our customized Stock Analysis Excel Template for analysing companies: Stock Analysis Excel
- Learn about our stock analysis approach in the e-book: “Peaceful Investing – A Simple Guide to Hassle-free Stock Investing”
- To learn how to do business analysis of companies: e-book: Business Analysis Guide
- To pre-register/express interest in a “Peaceful Investing” workshop in your city: Click here
Disclaimer
Registration status with SEBI:
I am registered with SEBI as a research analyst.
Details of financial interest in the Subject Company:
I do not own stocks of the companies mentioned above in my portfolio at the date of writing this article.
