Reliance Industries - Refining risks - Abn Amro

RIL has rallied 16% over last month even as refining margins have fallen. Lower-thananticipated margins present the biggest risk to our estimates and valuation. We maintain our Rs1,850 target price and downgrade the stock from Hold to Sell.

Refining looking shaky
Singapore complex refining margins have averaged US$4.6/bbl to date in 2QFY09, according to Reuters, compared to US$8.2/bbl in 1QFY09 and US$6.4/bbl in 2QFY08. Gasoline margins have been weak even in the traditionally strong April-July period as US demand has declined. Given US car manufacturers are replacing their truck plants with small car plants, this decline could be structural rather than cyclical. Middle distillate (diesel/jet fuel) margins have been very strong (US$30/bbl+) since March 2008, but have dropped by US$10/bbl in August. Basically, demand growth appears to be slowing down just as new refining capacity is set come on stream. We believe the refining cycle will turn down from FY09 and forecast RIL GRMs will decline from US$15/bbl in FY08 to US$12.5/bbl in FY10. But, just as the upside in GRMs over last three years was under-estimated by the market (RIL GRM in FY04 was US$6.4/bbl), it is possible the downside will also end up looking worse.

Upsides all in E&P
We have assumed that RIL will sell 40mmscmd of gas to RNRL/NTPC for the next 17 years at the disputed contract price (US$2.6mmbtu), however litigation on this issue is continuing. If there were no such liability, our FY10 and FY11 EPS estimates would rise to Rs206 and Rs192 respectively and our valuation could increase to Rs2,000, assuming no other changes. There is potential for surprises in terms of large new discoveries. However, our valuation is based on a gross reserve estimate of 7.7bn boe by March 2009, compared to RIL's disclosed 2P reserve estimate of 4.4bn boe.

Downgraded to Sell, target price Rs1,850
We maintain our EPS estimates and our SOTP-based target price, which values RIL as of end- FY09 (post conversion of promoter warrants). Our estimates factor in no government policy risks from any imposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT) on Reliance Petroleum, loss of tax holiday for gas production or any export tax on refined products.