Bajaj Finance: A Deep Dive Into Financial Metrics & Strong Fundamentals

Sun Nov 3, 2024

Bajaj Finance Analysis: Kya Hai Is Multibagger Stock Ka Secret?

In today's article, we are going to analyze a stock that has corrected 15% from its all-time high but still stands with strong fundamentals. 

This stock is part of Nifty 50, its PE ratio is more than 28 but its PEG ratio is below 1. And most importantly, its EPS growth in the last 3 years is at a massive level of 47% and sales growth is more than 27%. 

What is this stock? This is Bajaj Finance!

Let's first analyse the business model, because to understand any company, it is very important to first see its business model.

1. Diversified Lending Products:
Bajaj Finance's core business model is based on lending. This company offers multiple loan categories which include personal loans, consumer durable loans (zero-cost EMI schemes), business loans, home loans, and two-wheeler loans. An important aspect of this is that Bajaj Finance also targets rural areas and SME segments, which makes its customer base quite broad.

2. Interest Income and Fees:
The company's biggest earning comes from the interest income charged on these loans. In addition to interest, the company also charges processing fees, late payment charges, and prepayment charges which increase its revenue by a significant amount. A one-time processing fee is also charged on the disbursement of every loan, which is a major part of its earnings.

3. EMI Network and Merchant Fees:
Bajaj Finance's unique business model is its EMI Network. Through this network, customers can buy electronics and gadgets on zero-cost EMI schemes. Even though interest is not charged from customers, the company charges fees from merchants, which is another strong revenue source. The company also has partnerships with e-commerce platforms and offline retail stores, which makes its merchant network even stronger.

4. Cross-Selling Products and Services:
The company also earns revenue by cross-selling to its existing customers. If someone has taken a consumer durable loan, Bajaj Finance also offers him personal loans, credit cards, and insurance products. This cross-selling model diversifies the company's revenue considerably. The company also earns commission by selling insurance and wealth management services such as mutual funds, fixed deposits.

5. Digital Innovation and Investment Income:
Bajaj Finance provides convenient financial services to customers through its digital platforms, such as Bajaj Finserv App. Apart from this, the company also generates additional revenue by investing its funds in fixed deposits, government securities and market instruments. These digital innovations and investments continuously enhance the company's growth and profitability.

6. Profitability from Net Interest Margin (NIM):
Bajaj Finance's core profitability is its Net Interest Margin (NIM). This margin basically represents the difference between the interest charged to the company on loans and its own cost of funds. By borrowing at low interest and lending at high interest, the company generates a good margin, which boosts overall profitability.


Key Takeaways from Business Analysis:
So now that we have analysed the business model, we understand that Bajaj Finance diversifies its revenue through a diversified lending portfolio, cross-selling strategy, and innovative digital platforms.

Quantitative Analysis:
It is very important to look at the quantitative analysis of any company. As we saw earlier, Bajaj Finance's EPS growth over the last 3 years has been 47%, which is very massive. Also, its 3-year average sales growth is more than 27%. That is, the company's financial performance has been consistently impressive.
Another important metric that we have to look at is the PEG ratio. Bajaj Finance's PEG ratio is below 1, which is a clear indication that the company may be undervalued despite its high PE, when we consider growth.

Qualitative Analysis (Management Analysis):
Management analysis is as important as quantitative analysis. As the saying goes,
"While past performance may not predict future outcomes, the vision and guidance of the management often illuminate the true path ahead."
The company's historical performance does not necessarily indicate the future, but management's outlook and strategic direction define its potential trajectory.
This is why it is very important to understand management commentary. The positive view that management presents about the industry and the company's future in their concall gives us an idea of ​​how they will tackle the upcoming challenges and in which direction they see growth. These insights help us strengthen our investment decisions.

Conclusion:
Bajaj Finance's strong business model, impressive financial performance, and experienced management team make this company attractive to long-term investors.

Prof. Sheetal Kunder

SEBI® Research Analyst. Registration No. INH000013800 M.Com, M.Phil, B.Ed, PGDFM, Teaching Diploma (in Accounting & Finance) from Cambridge International Examination, UK. Various NISM Certification Holders. Ex- BSE Institute Faculty. 16 years of extensive experience in Accounting & Finance. Faculty Development Programs and Management Development Programs at the PAN India level to create awareness about the emerging trends in the Indian Capital Market and counsel hundreds of students in career choices in the finance area.