Varun Beverages shares surge over 5% post Q1 results. Should you buy, sell or hold?

Here’s how analysts view the future of the stock:

Bank of America

BofA stated that the Q1 earnings beat expectations and the CY24 ahead looks strong for the company. now gears up for the peak season and South Africa capacity is also expected to be ready before its peak season in the fourth quarter.

The global brokerage firm has retained its buy rating on the stock and increased the price target to Rs 1,650.

Motilal Oswal

As VBL expects strong sales growth led by heat waves, elections, and lower base in the corresponding quarter, Motial Oswal expects the company to maintain its earnings momentum aided by increased penetration in newly acquired territories in India and Africa, higher acceptance of newly launched products, continued expansion in capacity and distribution reach, growing refrigeration in rural and semi-rural areas and a scale-up in international operations.

It reiterated a ‘buy’ on the stock with a target price of Rs 1,750.

Kotak Institutional Equities

Heat waves, favorable base and expanded capacities position VBL to deliver about 30% domestic volume growth in 2Q. We estimate a 22% volume CAGR (17% organic) over CY2023-26E, driven by about 35% volume CAGR in the high-growth portfolio (Sting + Gatorade + Rockstar + Tropicana + Dairy) to about 30% of India volumes from 18%, 12% volume CAGR in the core portfolio in India and about 40% volume CAGR (17% organic) in the international portfolio, supported by the South Africa acquisition and organic expansion in the DRC, said a report by Kotak Institutional Equities.

KIE has retained its ‘add’ rating with a target price of Rs 1,477.

Nuvama

“VBL posted Q1CY24 revenue/EBITDA/PAT growth of 11%/24%/25% YoY beating our estimates. Volume expanded 7.2% YoY driven by International (21.9% YoY); India volumes increased 4.4% YoY. Net realisation per case rose 3.5% to INR179.7. We expect Q2 to be very strong due to a harsh summer and a low base,” stated a Nuvama report.

The brokerage firm has increased CY24E/25E EPS by 9%/9% factoring in improving rural demand in CY24, market expansion following the South Africa acquisition, higher realisation and improving operating leverage.

has maintained a ‘buy’ call on the stock while increasing the target price to Rs 1,690.

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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)