Hot Chips - Stock Recommendations For Your Portfolio

CASTROL INDIA | BSE Code: 500870 | Volume: 5959 | CMP: Rs 532

Castrol India is the second-largest lubricant company in India, with a market share of around 22 per cent. Its strong brand provides it a competitive edge over its peers. Though it is facing stiff competition from its PSU counterparts, the company has been able to do well on two counts. One is by cashing in on the opportunity of premium pricing that its brand offers and the second is by bringing in new and innovative products from time to time. It enjoys a leadership position in most of the segments in which it operates, including passenger car engine oils, premium two-stroke and four-stroke oils and multi-grade diesel engine oils. Castrol has the largest manufacturing and marketing network among lubricant companies in India. Consistent dividend payment is also another important criterion that goes in its favour. The company has a huge opportunity in the new as well as the replacement market, and this will help it to increase its share in the overall lubricant market in India. One can look at the scrip from a medium-term perspective.

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VASCON ENGINEERS | BSE Code: 533156 | Volume: 2616 | CMP: Rs 42.50

Vascon Engineers is a leading player offering a suite of services in the construction sector. It offers EPC services, undertakes hospitality projects and offers technical solutions for the real estate sector. The company has a total order backlog of Rs 2667 crore, which provides ample revenue visibility that is equivalent to 2.5x its FY11 revenues. With a gearing of only 0.4x in the heavily leveraged real estate sector, the company is well placed and has ample opportunity for further leverage to fast pace its growth plans, if required. The JDA/JV model in the real estate sector requires lower capital. With a diversified business, the company is somewhat insulated from any downturns in the sector. An experienced management provides it an edge over its peers. One can look at the scrip from a medium-term perspective.