Brokerages divided over Dr Reddy’s prospects as company disappoints street - Check Revised Ratings, Target Price

After reporting lower-than-expected first-quarter results, the brokerages are divided on Dr Reddy’s Laboratories prospects, However, the majority of them are maintaining a Neutral or an Underperform ratings on this stock.

The pharma major Dr Reddy’s on Tuesday reported a 1 per cent decline in the consolidated net profit to Rs 571 crore in the first quarter of the financial year 2021-2022, versus Rs 579 crore in Q1FY21. While its revenue grew by 11 per cent to Rs 4919.4 crore from Rs 4417.5 crore year-on-year basis.

See Zee Business Live TV Streaming Below:

Credit Suisse downgrades its stance to Neutral from Outperform on Dr Reddy’s shares after Q1 results on Tuesday, while it cuts FY22/FY23 EPS estimates by 14/10 per cent to factor in higher costs. 

The brokerage points out that the drugmaker may miss the golden period of vaccine shortage supply in India, moreover, Sputnik V supply from Russia is limited. It sets a target of Rs 4900 per share.

Similarly, Goldman Sachs also maintains a Neutral stance, while reducing the FY22-24 EPS estimates for Dr Reddy’s by 6-13 per cent. The brokerage firm says, US/API price erosion dents margin and sets a price target of Rs 5110 per share.

New launches and operating leverage to drive margin recovery for Dr Reddy’s soon, says Morgan Stanley while maintaining an Overweight rating on the stock. It mentions, new healthcare initiative can create value in the medium term while setting a target of Rs 5859 per share.

While being bullish on the company, Jefferies maintains a Buy rating for Dr Reddy’s, as it points out that the company’s Q1 North America revenue flat with market share gains offsetting price erosion. 

The brokerage reduces FY22/FY23 EPS (ex-Sputnik) estimates by 1/7 per cent and Sputnik EPS and sets a price target of Rs 5761 per share.

Mentioning that Dr Reddy’s Q1 results below estimates, CLSA observes the higher return of costs pulled down the margin and it cuts FY22-24 EPS estimates by 3/10 per cent respectively. The brokerage also maintains a Buy rating on the stock, with a price target of Rs 5930 per share.

The company said, it has received a subpoena from the US market regulator SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for production of documents with respect to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) geographies.

Amid disappointing results and a subpoena from US SEC, the share price of Dr Reddy’s tanked by over 10 per cent on Tuesday to Rs 4844.35 per share on the BSE, dragging the market most yesterday.