Apollo Hospitals shares now part of Citi’s ‘Pan-Asia Focus List’; Stock surges

Shares of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. gained on Tuesday, March 24, as brokerage firm Citi is positive on the stock.Citi has reiterated its “buy” rating on Apollo Hospitals with a price target of ₹9,600 per share and has also added the stock to its pan-Asia focus list. The price target implies an upside potential of 34% from current levels.

Apollo Hospitals also remains Citi’s preferred pick in the Indian hospitals space. Its positive stance is predicated on:

• A structurally-resilient hospital business.
• A fast-growing pharmacy business with digital profitability in sight.
• Valuations, which remain below long-term means on an absolute and a relative basis.

Apollo Hospitals reported a strong set of earnings in the December quarter, with its performance beating Street estimates across parameters.

Its net profit increased 35% to ₹502.3 crore from the previous year and revenue from operations rose 17.2% to ₹6,477 crore.The company’s EBITDA stood at ₹965 crore, up 26.7% from the previous year’s 762.

Its operating margin expanded to 14.9% from 13.8% in the year-ago period.

30 analysts have coverage on Apollo Hospitals, of which 27 have a “buy” rating, two say “hold”, and one has a “sell” rating.

Shares of Apollo Hospitals are trading 4.3% higher on Tuesday at ₹7,455. The stock has turned positive on a year-to-date basis after today’s moves, trading with gains of 5%.

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