ADVANTA INDIA - BUY ( REPEAT)

Advanta India is a true  MNC in agriculture sector from United Phosphorous Group. It  is the holding company for the global business of Advanta. Company is operating in various countries includes  India, Australia, Thailand, Argentina USA ..etc .Company is a major player  in research, production and marketing of hybrid seeds and oilseed crops . Company also  having a very good R&D and in India it is collaborating with universities like University of Mysore and University of Dharwad for developing new varieties. Company is producing wide variety of seeds include sunflower, corn, rice, rapeseed mustard, sorghum Oats ..etc. This geographical and product diversification reduces the risk of  seasonality to a certain extend in this business. In Thailand ,company is operating through Pacific Seeds(Thai) Ltd ,in Australia it is with Pacific seeds Pty Ltd, and in Argentina it is through Advanta seeds and Advanta Semillas . Company also made some acquisitions in USA like Crosbyton Seed Company and Garrison & Townsend Seed Company along with a subsidiary Advanta US Inc. Many more mid size companies are also in its fold as step down subsidiaries like Nutrisun oil . A major  negative of this company till now is the  huge debt of in its balance sheet . Interest of the same is eating a major part of its profits. Advanta is now  planning to de- leverage .As a first step company recently re-structured its debt by issuing FCCB and  repaying part of debt carrying high interest rate  .Effect of this arrangement is already visible is latest September qtr result. On a consolidated basis company posted a turnover of Rs. 696 Cr and a net profit of Rs.27 Cr in last year  .For the latest qtr ended September , Company posted  a sales of  Rs. 254 Cr v/s Rs.176 Cr. and a net profit of Rs.13 Cr v/s Rs.10 Cr After a long period  of up and downs in its performance, it is expected to show a steady growth from here on.At current market price of Rs.395 , it is a good BUY for medium to long term investment.