Tyre firms to gain when replacement demand, lower input costs kick in
Live MintThe road ahead appears to promise a smoother ride for tyre companies, after having steered through rough terrain for some time. Note that rubber and crude oil prices, which comprise nearly three-fourths of the cost of making a tyre, have retraced by 13% and 36%, respectively, over the last 45-60 days. Since FY16, tyre stocks have lost ground despite growth in revenue as soaring rubber prices affected the operating performance and margins of the companies. “We see this turning now, as margins expand from current lows helped by lower RM prices, improved mix and scale benefits as volumes & revenue ramp up amid robust replacement demand,” it adds. Apollo Tyres says, “Due to increase in crude prices, overall raw material cost went up by 5% in the September quarter when compared to June.