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Shares of Aptus Value Housing Finance India (Aptus) hit a record high of Rs 401.65 as they rose 11 per cent on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) during intraday trade on Monday amid significant volumes based on expectations that the company would be able to maintain stable asset quality performance and healthy profitability, while maintaining portfolio growth over the medium term.
The stock of this housing finance company (HFC) has surpassed its previous high of Rs 393.05 reached on October 9, 2024. In the last two months, it has surged 33 per cent. At 11:55 a.m.; Aptus was trading 9 per cent higher at Rs 393.50, compared to a 0.70 per cent rise in the Nifty 50. Average trading volumes over the counter increased four-fold. As many as 12.31 million shares representing 2.5 per cent of Aptus Value’s total capital changed hands on the NSE, according to exchange data.
Aptus was incorporated on December 11, 2009 with the primary objective of carrying out the long-term housing finance business to meet the housing needs of the low and middle income segments of the country. The Company is also engaged in providing loans for non-housing financing activities in the form of Loans Against Properties (LAP).
The Company has a wholly owned subsidiary, Aptus Finance India Private Limited, which is a non-banking finance company registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and engaged in the real estate loan finance business.
The Indian government’s focus on affordable housing schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and initiatives such as Housing for All by 2022 have boosted the demand for affordable housing. HFCs can meet the needs of this segment by offering specialized lending products and financing options.
Trends toward urbanization and rural exodus continue to drive demand for housing in urban centers. HFCs can exploit this market by offering housing financing solutions tailored to the needs of city dwellers, particularly first-time home buyers and migrant populations. The government’s continued support in the form of subsidies, interest rate incentives and tax benefits for homebuyers and developers under schemes such as PMAY-Urban and PMAY-Gramin can boost demand for housing and affordability, to the benefit of HFCs, Aptus said in its FY24 annual report.
On September 13, 2024, CARE Ratings revised the ratings outlook to positive due to expectations of continued growth momentum while maintaining capitalization, good profitability and asset quality, as well as strengthening its resource profile . However, the outlook may be revised to stable in case the company is unable to grow its loan portfolio or there is a significant moderation in asset quality and profitability.
With a higher proportion of non-real estate loans and the presence of subsidiary NBFC, Aptus’ returns are relatively higher, resulting in better profitability ratios. CARE Ratings expects profitability to remain healthy over the medium term, supported by a healthy net interest margin (NIM) and lower cost of credit.
The current net worth level of Rs 3,793 crore (as on June 30, 2024) along with retained earnings will enable the company to increase its assets under management (AUM) over the next 3-5 years without any further infusion of equity while maintaining debt. at comfortable levels, the rating agency indicated in its justifications.
Meanwhile, Aptus Group has a proven track record of maintaining healthy asset quality over the years. Given the secure nature of its exposures, debt write-offs and unpaid debts have remained under control over the years.
The Group’s gross level 3 (GS3) remained comfortable at 1.3 percent in June 2024 and 1.1 percent in March 2024 (1.2 percent in March 2023) and the restructured portfolio stood at a modest level of less than 0.4 percent. of the wallet. Lighter delinquencies have also improved over the past two years, with more than 30 days overdue (DPD) at 6.3 percent in June 2024 (5.4 percent in March 2024 and 5.9 percent in March 2023) compared to 9.9 percent in March 2022, according to ICRA.
The rating agency notes that the Group’s debt has remained largely stable, supported by strong internal accruals, with gearing managed at 1.4 times in June 2024 and March 2024. Looking ahead, the Group’s strong capitalization should sufficiently support the planned growth of the portfolio. in the medium term.
Aptus continues to deliver compelling return ratios, and analysts at JM Financial Institutional Securities expect this trend to continue, driven by a rebound in growth momentum, an increased focus on small business lending (SBL ) high yield on top of existing Home Loans (HL) and improve productivity and asset quality metrics.
First publication: October 14, 2024 | 1:35 p.m. STI