ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd: The Stock which could give multi-bagger returns

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Incorporated in 2000, ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd is engaged in construction of railway infrastructure, roads, highways, bridges and irrigation projects in India. ARSS have business activities in the zonal jurisdictions of East Coast Railway, South Eastern Railway, South East Central Railway, Southern Railway and North Western Railway. ARSS also engaged in the railway construction projects, which includes earthwork, major and minor bridges, supply of ballast, sleepers, laying of sleepers and rails, linking of tracks etc.

ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd, has presence in Eastern India, particularly in the state of Orissa. However, in recent years they have pursued opportunities in other parts of India including states of Chhatisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Haryana, Kerla, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Maharastra and Tamil Nadu.

In the Indian Railways Budget, 2014, apart from focusing on the commuters, the government as expected made it clear that it spends 94 paise out of every Re.1 which gives an operating ratio of 94%. This means only 6 paise is left in its pocket to invest into the railways. However, this is going to change now towards the positive side, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Railways.

Moreover, the government will also look to fund future projects, including high-speed trains, via the public-private-partnership mode. The NDA government earlier spoke about ways to monetize Railways land.

According to the Economic Times, 20 November, 2014, the Debroy Committee has been constituted to suggest ways to fund rail projects and also restructuring of the Railway Board. Facing a serious fund crunch, the national transporter has recently opened more areas in the sector for FDI.

According to the latest decision, new areas like installation of bio-toilets, cleaning of trains and setting up of mechanised laundries are also being opened up for FDI.

Indian Railways, which is facing a severe cash crunch to the tune of Rs.30,000 crore every year, received a major financial boost as 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is now allowed for developing infrastructure and improving safety features. The Railway Board and a Cabinet Panel has identified 17 key areas where this FDI can be used.

Earlier, 100 per cent FDI was allowed only in high-speed trains, suburban trains and dedicated freight corridors.

Several rail projects are being delayed for indefinite period for lack of resources and there is a huge requirement of funds for capacity enhancement and infrastructure upgradation.

If you remember: the initial public offering (IPO) of ARSS Infrastructure Projects, which closed in February, 2010, received tremendous response and was subscribed 47.62 times. Non-institutional investors were the leading subscribers in this issue. Their reserved portion got subscribed 124.5 times. Qualified institutional and retail investors reserved portion subscribed 49.3 times and 18.55 times, respectively. 

The price band of Rs.103-crore issue was at Rs.410-450 per share. However, this share is now available at almost one tenth (or around 90% lower than the price at which the company had made public issue in early 2010) the IPO price, inspite of a TURNAROUND in the company. 

ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd has a market cap of only Rs.62.64 Cr and Book Value of Rs.239.76 Cr. It has an EPS of Rs.29.17. Moreover, when the Industry P/E is 28.10, it has a P/E of only 1.45. A decent P/E rating of 15- can take the scrip above Rs.300, after suitable discounting. Even today, the percentage of Deliverable Quantity to Traded Quantity, is at 64.32%, indicating that accumulation is going on in the counter. Stay invested and buy on all declines. CMP: Rs.42.20 (BSE) and Rs.42 (NSE).