Choksi Laboratories Ltd - Rs 19.00

Incorporated in 1993, Choksi Laboratories Ltd. (CLL) is a group of research laboratories offering analysis, calibration, pollution control, research and consultancy services to a broad spectrum of industries. In short, it’s a commercial testing and analysis laboratory. It was the first to start water and soil analysis in central India and also the first to start instrument calibration services for organizations that were seeking ISO certification. In fact, it was the only one to commission and run ONGC’s Effluent Treatment Plant at Amod oil rig probably the largest in India. Today, CLL boasts of serving over one thousand customers, both regional and international and analyzing over 1000 different products. Of late, the company has entered clinical trial research in a big way.

CLL’s labs/branches are located at Chandigadh, Indore, Vadodara, Delhi, Ahmedabad & Vapi and are equipped with ultra modern, sophisticated and very hi-tech equipments imported from various parts of the world. Recently, it commenced a 40-bed clinical research facility at Vapi for carrying out bio-availability and bio-equivalence studies. Notably, CLL is certified by BIS, FDA, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh PCBs, Department of Health (MP), AGMARK - GOI and several other regulatory bodies. It has also been accredited to NABL, which is internationally recognized through ILAC and is based on ISO/ IEC guidelines. The company has facilities to analyze food & agricultural products, cement & building materials, chemicals, drugs, metals, oil, soil, PVC pipes & paints etc for its client or as a regulatory requirement. It also helps different industries in their research processes. Its Environment Consultancy Division helps companies keep the environment clean and free from pollution. Apart from calibrating services for individual instruments, CLL provides a comprehensive Annual Calibration Contract (ACC) that covers maintenance of calibration due-date charts and on-site/ laboratory schedules etc. Moreover, it offers consultancy services for solid waste management, sewage treatment plants, hotel and hospital waste management, hazardous waste management etc.

Fundamentally, it hasn’t shown great performance yet but the potential is huge and the future looks very promising. For FY06, its sales improved by 15% to Rs.7.60 cr. and net profit dropped by 10% to Rs.0.81 cr. on the back of higher interest cost and depreciation. For the first six months ending 30th Sept.’06, total revenue grew by nearly 20% to Rs.4.70 cr. but profit increased by only 10% to Rs.0.65 cr. However, the company enjoys an operating profit margin (OPM) of over 35% and net profit margin (NPM) of more than 10% and at the current market cap of Rs.10 cr., it can turn out to be a multi-bagger if held for 2-3 years. For FY07, it is expected to report a total revenue of around Rs.10 cr. with PAT of Rs.1.30 cr. This translates into EPS of Rs.3 on its equity of Rs.4.85 cr. At CMP of Rs.18, the scrip is discounts its FY07 earnings by merely 6 times, which is very cheap for such a niche player. With a 52-week high/low as Rs.45/Rs.13, the downside to this stock is minimal whereas on the upside, the scrip can easily double in 15-18 months. Strong buying recommended for long-term investors only.