The Hindu Business Line : Promoter selling, FCCBs drag Orchid Chemicals

This was followed by Orchid’s promoters having to offload a 7 per cent stake in the company, to meet margin calls, after earlier ramping up their stake through the margin funded route.

Significant premium

Though reports of forex-related losses dogged the stock on Monday, this remains in the realms of speculation in the absence of any clarification by the company to the stock exchanges.

In addition, Orchid has unutilised foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) amounting to $193 million, raised last year.

With the stipulated conversion price for these FCCBs now at a significant premium to the current stock price, the prospect of the holders exercising the conversion option has reduced.

This may leave Orchid with a significant loan obligation to be serviced in 2012.

However, unlike other stocks whose correction can be attributed to lofty valuations, Orchid trades at a modest valuation at the current market price of Rs 113.50 (BSE).

Likely earnings

This stock price discounts the company’s expected earnings for 2008-09 by about four times.

This has to weighed against likely earnings from over 12 product launches over the next two years and the company’s proven track record of garnering shares in regulated markets.

For the last nine months, Orchid’s profit before exceptional items has risen by 94 per cent to Rs 134 crore over the same period last year.

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