5 Best And Worst Performing Stocks In CY12

The year 2012 has ended on a positive note, with the broader indices gaining a tad above 25%. However, there have been some clear winners and losers in the year. In this slide show, we take a look at the 5 best and worst performers on the bourses for the calendar year 2012.

While compiling the list, we have taken into consideration ‘Group A’ stocks on the BSE. This is because these companies have a larger shareholder base and more liquidity is available in the stocks. Another reason for considering the ‘Group A’ stocks is that it will exclude the penny stocks that may show extraordinary returns due to a lower base.

Let us start with the top 5 gainers in 2012:

United Spirits: The company engages in the manufacture, purchase and sale of alcoholic beverages in India and internationally. The company was formerly known as McDowell & Company and changed its name to United Spirits in October 2006. United Spirits was founded in 1826 and is based in Bengaluru, India. In a recent development, Diageo Plc said that it would acquire 27.4% stake in the company for a consideration of Rs 1440 per share. The size of the deal is pegged at Rs 5725 crore. The scrip has been an outperformer and yielded a return of 284% for CY12.

Jet Airways: The aviation sector has been one of the sectors that has remained in the limelight for the major part of 2012, though for all the wrong reasons. However, in the listed space, Jet Airways has been an outperformer as far as the appreciation of prices is concerned. In CY12, the scrip has garnered a return of 223%. There is also the buzz that UAE-based carrier Etihad is likely to buy 24% stake in the company for a consideration of Rs 1800 crore. Concrete updates from the management on this front are still awaited.

Strides Arcolab: Established in 1990, Strides Arcolab is headquartered in Bengaluru, India. The company has business interests in specialty pharmaceuticals, pharma generics and branded generics. Its manufacturing operations span across 14 global locations. It also has a R&D hub in Bengaluru, and its marketing network spreads across 70 countries. The company is among the world's largest manufacturers of soft gelatin capsules. We, at DSIJ, had recommended the scrip early in 2012. For CY12, the scrip has rewarded its shareholders with an appreciation of 174% in its prices.

United Breweries: United Breweries is the flagship company of the UB Group and is the beer division of the group. In fact, it is the market leader of beers in India. Heineken Group holds 37.5% stake in the company. The alliance offers consumers the best portfolio of national and international brands in India, including Kingfisher, which is the number one Indian brand, and Heineken, the largest global beer brand. For CY12, the company has witnessed an appreciation of 141% in its prices and it secures the 4th position in our list.

Madras Cements: Headquartered at Chennai, Madras Cements is the flagship company of the Ramco Group. The main product of the company is portland cement, manufactured in five production facilities spread over southern India, which have a current total production capacity of 13 MTPA. The company is the fifth largest cement producer in the country. It primarily exports its products to Sri Lanka. It is also involved in the generation of power from windmills, with a total capacity of 185.59 MW. For CY12, the scrip has given a return of 139%.

Now, let us take a look at the top losers for 2012:

Hexaware Technologies: Hexaware Technologies provides IT company providing business process outsourcing and consulting services in India, North America, Europe and other countries. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Navi Mumbai, India. Hexaware has leadership positions in PeopleSoft, HRIT, Airlines and BFSI. It has almost 6000 staff members in 20 countries, who serve 156 clients globally. The company has topped the list of losers, with a negative return of 22% for CY12.

AstraZeneca Pharma India: Based in Bengaluru, India, AstraZeneca is involved in the manufacturing as well as marketing of medicines. The company provides a range of healthcare products in areas including cardiovascular, respiratory, maternal healthcare, oncology, infection, pain control and anesthesia, gastrointestinal and diabetes. The scrip has breached the strongly positive trend that its peers have seen on the Indian bourses. It has witnessed a fall of 14% as far as prices are concerned.

Titan Industries: Titan Industries is engaged in the manufacture and sale of watches, jewellery and eyewear in India and internationally. The company sells watches under the brand names of Titan Edge, Titan Raga, Nebula, Sonata, Xylys and Fastrack. As of March 31, 2012, the company operated 332 World of Titan, 102 Fastrack, 25 Helios, 129 Tanishq, 32 Goldplus, 2 Zoya, and 205 Titan Eye+ stores, as well as 928 service centers. However, it has not been able to perform well on the bourses in CY12 and was down by 9%.

Hindustan Copper: Kolkata-based Hindustan Copper was incorporated in 1967, and engages in the manufacture and sale of copper products in India. The company is involved in mining, beneficiation, smelting, refining and casting refined copper metals. Its product offerings include copper cathodes, copper wire bars and continuous cast copper rods. Its mines and plants are spread across four operating units, one each in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. For CY12, it has given a negative return of 7%.

Indraprastha Gas: Indraprastha Gas, which was established in 1998, took over the Delhi City Gas Distribution Project in 1999 from GAIL (India). The project was started to lay the network for the distribution of natural gas in the National Capital Region of Delhi to consumers in the domestic, transport and commercial sectors. The company has the backing of strong promoters like GAIL (India) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation. In CY12, the scrip witnessed a drop of 6.65% as far as its prices are concerned.

Top 5 ‘Group B’ Gainers And Losers For CY12