SBI posts worst quarterly profit in 2 years; net plunges 35%

 
Mumbai: State Bank of India on Wednesday reported its worst quarterly profit in over two years with a sharp 35 percent drop in earnings at Rs 2,375 crore in the three months to September, hit hard by higher provisions for staff expenses, bad loans and investment depreciation.

Standalone total income was Rs 37,199.92 crore as against Rs 32,953.47 crore in the same period a year ago.

"Provisions for loan losses, provision for the staff wage hikes, provision for pensions and of course the investment depreciation were the reasons for dip in the net profit in the quarter," the newly-appointed SBI chairman and managing director Arundhati Bhattacharya said.

This is the worst quarterly performance of the nation's biggest lender since the massive 90 percent plunge which brought the bank's net profit to just Rs 20.88 crore for the March 2011 quarter. Pratip Chaudhuri had taken over as chairman in April, 2011.

"Also, the fact that we have really not been able to book that kind of income on sale of investments as we had been able to do in the first quarter, due to the fact that interest rates have actually hardened. All of this accounted for lower bottomline," Bhattacharya said.

This is Bhattacharya's maiden earnings report after she took over charge on October 7 as the first woman head of SBI which controls nearly a quarter of country's banking assets.

SBI's total provision rose 6.53 percent to Rs 3,937 crore as against Rs 3,696 crore in the same period last year.

Despite the poor set of numbers, the market lapped up the SBI counter, which is down around 50 percent from its lifetime high. Today, the SBI counter closed 1.34 percent higher at Rs 1697.85 on the BSE, whose benchmark Sensex shed 0.45 percent.

Saday Sinha, banking analyst at Kotak Securities said the bank's net interest margin (NIM) at 3.2 percent was ahead of his expectations on the back of a 19 percent loan growth.

However, the profit after tax (PAT) came a shade below expectations due to higher-than-expected operational expenditure and Non-Performing Assets (NPA) provisions, he added.

During the quarter, major slippages came from the power sector (Rs 1,700 crore), iron and steel (Rs 600 crore) and infrastructure (Rs 700 crore), said SBI chief financial officer and deputy MD RK Saraf.

Although the bank's slippages of 3.1 percent is lower than the previous quarter, asset quality pain persists for the stock with net addition to impaired assets remaining at elevated levels, Kotak's Sinha said.

Staff expenses jumped 36 percent to Rs 5,819 crore from Rs 4,280 crore in the same period last year, while salary expenses jumped 26.74 percent to Rs 4,536 crore.

Provisions for pension rose 108.62 percent to Rs 1,054 crore in the quarter as against Rs 505 crore a year ago.

"The staff expenses have gone up quite sharply on account of the fact we have to make 15 percent provisions for the wage negotiation. We are also having to make additional provision on account of the fact that the LIC has changed the mortality table," Bhattacharya said.

According to LIC's new mortality table, the life expectancy has increased to 81 years.

At the end of the reporting quarter, the bank's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) rose to 5.64 percent of gross advances, compared with 5.15 percent year a year ago. Net NPAs also rose to 2.91 percent from 2.44 percent. However, on a sequential basis, NPAs declined by 39.23 percent.

Net interest income in second quarter increased 11.64 percent to Rs 12,251 crore from Rs 10,974 crore a year earlier.

Domestic net interest margin (NIM) increased sequentially to 3.51 percent in the quarter from 3.44 percent last year.

Deposits grew 14.01 percent to Rs 12,92,456 crore in quarter as against Rs 11,33,644 crore, while gross advances jumped 19.18 percent to Rs 11,39,326 crore.

"Right now, our deposit growth on year-on-year basis is at 15 percent and we expect to be able to grow at the same manner on the deposit side. On the credit side, we have to see how it happens, but currently we will maintain between 16 to 18 percent," Bhattacharya said.

The domestic credit deposit ratio increased from 76.64 percent in September 12 to 80.54 percent this quarter, a jump of 390 basis points.

SBI had seen an investment depreciation of Rs 8 crore as against loss of Rs 260 crore in the year-ago quarter with the depreciation on domestic banking side being Rs 237 crore as against a loss of Rs 257 crore.

The bank had booked a loss of Rs 229 crore in investment depreciation on foreign banking side as against a loss of Rs 3 crore.

"We were able to amortise the dip that has come on the treasury side. While on the domestic side there was a write in where as on foreign offices side there has been a write back. The net figure which has come is only Rs 8 crore," Bhattacharya said.

"This means for the next two quarters we will have amortised an amount of market-to-market, that will have to be taken, which will be in the range of Rs 700 crore."

During the quarter SBI shifted Rs 56,000 crore of SLR securities to held-to-maturity category.

Bank's provisions for income tax declined by 51.45 percent to Rs 908 crore as against Rs 1,870 crore.

Provisions for loan loss jumped 43.99 percent to Rs 2,646 crore as against Rs 1,837 crore.

Interest on loans rose 12.60 percent to Rs 25,379 crore as against Rs 22,538 crore. Interest on resources jumped 20.64 percent Rs 8,243 crore as against Rs 6,833 crore.

Total interest income rose 14.58 percent to Rs 33,922 crore as against Rs 29,607 crore.

Interest on deposits increased 13.96 percent to Rs 19,277 crore from Rs 16,916 crore, while interest on borrowing jumped 106.30 percent to Rs 1,468 crore as against Rs 711 crore due to increase in MSF rates and tight liquidity condition.

The bank's total restructured accounts stood at Rs 52,437 crore and has debt restructuring pipeline of Rs 6,000 crore which could be implemented in rest of the two quarters or may be next year, Bhattacharya said.

Talking about the outlook, Bhattacharya said the bank will continue to face tough situation as "we are not seeing those indicator that say things are beginning to look brighter".

However, she said the bank is seeing robust demand on the retail loan side. "But if you look at the stresses in the account, the stresses continue and we are not seeing stresses to have lessened to very great extent, specially in the mid cap and the large SME segments."

Rupee continues slide for 5th day, falls 47 paise against dollar

The Indian rupee continued to slide against the US dollar for the fifth day in a row, closing down at a fresh two-month low,  amid bearish local equities and demand for the US currency from importers.

A firm dollar overseas also weighed on the rupee as the dollar index, consisting of six major global rivals, was up by 0.28 per cent.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market, the domestic currency resumed lower at 63.35 and moved in a range of 63.30 to 63.84 against the dollar before settling at 63.71, a fall of 47 paise or 0.74 per cent.

The rupee has plunged 209 paise, or 3.39 per cent, in five straight sessions. It is at the lowest level since closing at 63.84 on September 10.

"Rupee was seen depreciating against the US dollar due to persistent dollar strength, rising dollar demand from the domestic oil companies and debt market outflows. Also, the stock markets which ended the session on a negative note contributed to the weakness in the local currency," said Abhishek Goenka, CEO of India Forex Advisors.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 209.05 points, or 1.02 per cent, to a one-month low, completing six days of losses. Overseas investors pumped in Rs 333.50 crore in stocks on Monday.

Economy to get back on 8 pc growth trajectory in 2 years: Plan Panel

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia exuded confidence about India's potential, saying the economy will get back on the targeted growth trajectory of 8 per cent after two years.

"I think we can hit what we thought was our trajectory two years later because of the slowdown that we have," Ahluwalia said on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the 34th SKOCH Summit in New Delhi.

The economy expanded at a decade-low rate of 5 per cent in the first year of the 12th Plan (2012-17) period, during which the government has targeted an annual average growth rate of 8 per cent.

In the April-June quarter of the current financial year, economic growth slowed to 4.4 per cent, compared with 4.8 per cent during January-March. Growth was 5.4 per cent in the April-June period of the previous financial year.

"I believe that the long- or medium-term growth potential of the economy remains 8 per cent, provided you do all things outlined in the 12th Plan. Obviously, the first two years are not going to be at that level," Ahluwalia said.

According to Ahluwalia, the average economic growth rate in the 12th Plan period will be lower than 8 per cent and the Commission will make its estimate next year during the mid-term review of the five year policy.

Ahluwalia said he expects growth to improve in the second half of the current financial year.

"The second half of the year should be better. The first half was lower. So for the year as a whole to be better than 5 per cent, the second half has be really good. We don't know the numbers," he said.

Asked whether the slowdown is over, Ahluwalia replied: "I believe that the economy has bottomed out. The financial experts say that there will be turnaround. It is clearly not a strong rebound. But there is evidence that (there will be turnaround)."

India's exports in October grew 13.47 per cent to $27.2 billion, the fastest pace in two years, government data showed yesterday.

"The news on the exports front is very encouraging," Ahluwalia said.

He said the current account deficit will probably be lower than the target set by the Finance Minister. The deficit refers to the difference between outflows and inflows of foreign currency.

"He (the Finance Minister) himself said that instead of $70 billion, it would be $60 billion... The important news is that it would be much lower than $88 billion last year. That means we need less money. That should increase the assessment of micro-economic stability," he added.

Rupee falls further on strong dollar demand

 
Continuing its slide for the sixth straight day, the rupee on Wednesday lost 17 paise to trade at a fresh two-month low of 63.88 in early trade on strong dollar demand from importers amid weak local equities.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency opened lower at 63.88 a dollar from its previous close of 63.71.

Forex dealers said besides sustained demand for the US currency from importers and a lower opening in the domestic equity market also put pressure on the rupee but dollar's weakness against euro in the global markets capped the fall.

The rupee had depreciated by 47 paise to close at 63.71 against the dollar in the previous session. Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 53.97 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 20,227.94 in early trade on Wednesday.

Vodafone bets big on India 3G, to invest Rs 7,100 cr

 
Vodafone has drawn up ambitious plans to invest 700 million pound ( about  Rs 7,100 crore) in India during the next 2- 3 years mainly on rolling out 3G networks.

This amount will be in addition to  Rs 4,000- Rs 6,000 crore annual investments the company has been making in recent years, Vodafone India CEO Marten Pieters said on Tuesday.

The investment will be part of the cash- rich British company's Project Spring under which the Vodafone Group will invest 7 billion pound by March 2016, to establish stronger network and service differentiation in major global markets.

"The Indian investment is about 10 per cent of pound 7 billion in the next 2- 3 years. It depends also on what is available. The investment will be above the normal level of investment we would have done so it's like a catch up investment," Pieters said.

Riding on a strong growth in data usage and voice calls, Vodafone India said it has posted 13.5 per cent jump in revenue at  Rs 20,476.3 crore for the first half ( April- September period) of 2012- 13.

The company had logged Rs 17,581.3 crore in revenue during the same period in the last fiscal.

Pieters said, India has become the third largest contributor to the UK- based Vodafone Group's services revenues.

" We are also focused on growing the use of mobile Internet. Our data continues to contribute strongly to business, accounts for 9 per cent of service revenue in Q2, 2013- 14 fiscal," said Pieters.

He said most of the subscribers in India would use  Internet via mobile phones but the company doesn't have 3G spectrum in all the circles.

"We will try to get spectrum in all the circles next year. We count on pending approval for spectrum trading and the fresh 2100 Mhz auction in 2014," he pointed out.

On revenue growth, he said it is driven by hardening of rates, exponential growth in data and good subscriber base. "These, however, were partially offset by the effect of seasonality and regulatory changes," he added.

"The service revenue has grown 13.5 per cent to Rs 18,481 crore during the 6- month period from  Rs 16,282.6 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal, but our data revenue has grown much faster at 76.5 per cent. The data growth has been driven by high smartphones usage, he added.

Vodafone India's operating profit or EBITDA ( earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) improved by 30.6 per cent to  Rs 6,519.1 crore in H1, 2013- 14, compared to  Rs 4,993 crore in the same period of last fiscal.

Pieters said the environment in the country is more positive these days as the regulatory clarity is emerging. However, at the same time he pointed out that that all is still not fine on the regulatory front.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Group chief Vittorio Colao at a meeting in London on Tuesday said the company will only consider an IPO in India once the $ 2- billion tax dispute is resolved.

"We don't have to do it… because we don't need the money. We need to resolve the tax issue first," said Colao.

Colao added that there was " no real change" to discussions on the tax dispute. " We have had talks and continue to have talks. It's complicated and honestly, we have to see where it goes."

Vodafone posted a 13.5% jump in revenue at  Rs 20,476.3 cr for the first half of 2012- 13.

Apple's new retina display iPad Mini hits stores without fanfare

Apple Inc has begun selling its new iPad Mini, the one with its famed retina display feature, without the usual fanfare.

The company usually announces the availability date in advance, allowing loyal customers to line up at stores overnight to be among the first to buy one. This time, Apple quietly issued a news release on its immediate availability.

Supplies also are limited. People had to order them online to pick them up at Apple's retail stores. This suggests the company may be having problems producing enough iPad Minis.

Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged during a conference call two weeks ago that "it's unclear whether we will have enough for the quarter or not."

The new Mini is the first version of the smaller iPad to feature the high-resolution display that Apple calls Retina. It also includes a power-efficient A7 chip, along with faster wireless and expanded LTE cellular connectivity.

The new iPad Mini is available in silver or gray. Wi-Fi-only models will start at $399 for a 16-gigabyte gigabyte model while cellular-capable models will start at $529 for the 16-gigabyte model. It's available in the US and several other markets.

'Mfg growth to remain subdued in Q3 on high interest rates'

New Delhi: The country's manufacturing sector is expected to witness subdued growth in the October-December quarter on concerns over high interest rates, a survey by industry body Ficci today said.

"Low or subdued growth is supported primarily by some improvement on export front. However, we are seeing rising concerns over the cost of credit by the manufacturers as compared to previous surveys," Ficci President Naina Lal Kidwai said.

Upturn in industrial sector is particularly evident in sectors like leather, textiles, cement, chemicals and textiles machinery. At the same time, sectors like automotive, capital goods and electronics are expected to witness sluggish growth in Q3, the survey found.

Besides, outlook on hiring looks bleak in manufacturing, with over 75 percent of the respondents unlikely to hire additional workforce in next three months.

Moreover, the survey found that five out of thirteen sectors were likely to witness low growth (less than 5 percent). Only two sectors, leather and paper, are expected to have a strong growth of over 10 percent in Q3 2013-14 while remaining sectors are likely to witness moderate growth.

"Notably, the proportion of respondents availing credit above 12 percent per annum rose significantly in the current survey to 58 percent as compared to 42 percent in previous survey", Kidwai said.

Interest rate paid by the manufacturers, as reported in the survey, ranges from 8 to 16 percent with average interest rate at around 12 percent per annum.

The investment scenario in manufacturing sector will also remains subdued in Q3 with 72 percent respondents not having any plans for capacity additions for the next six months as compared to 74 percent respondents in the previous survey.

However, the demand conditions appear to be slightly better with 44 percent respondents reporting higher order books for Q3 2013-14 as compared to 32 percent respondents in the previous quarter.

The survey covers thirteen major sectors namely textiles, capital goods, textiles machinery, metals, chemicals, cement, electronics, automotive, leather & footwear, machine tools, food processing, paper and tyre.