Housing Development Finance Corp (HDFC) has corrected by 23% and underperformed the Nifty by 11% since the RBI tightening of system-wide liquidity on July 15. In the current uncertain macro-economic conditions, HDFC is likely to be the most resilient in asset quality and growth. We reiterate ?buy? rating on the stock.
Subsidiaries/associates are self-funded and, thus, further dilution is not needed; strong internal accrual (core lending RoE of 26%+) will take care of HDFC?s loan growth requirements. Based on assets and liability side flexibility, spreads shall remain in the range of 2.15-2.35%.
Led by stable spreads, single-digit cost-to-income ratio and superior asset quality, return ratios are expected to remain above industry average, with core RoA of approximately 2.5% and core lending RoE of approximately 26%.
On the back of latent housing demand and structural growth drivers, we believe 18-20% growth will not be a difficult target for HDFC. Though, select urban and metro markets are witnessing a slowdown in disbursements, company has ramped up distribution in Tier-II and -III centers. No major job losses, lower LTV (65%) and installment-to-income ratio (approximately 40%), financing of immovable real asset and lending against cash flows shall keep retail asset quality healthy.
