Universus Photo (UNIVPHOTO)
Asset PlayScore breakdown: P/E: 0/3 · ROCE: 0/2 · Growth: 2/2 · Dividend: 0/1
Key Financials
| Current Price | ₹472.6 |
| Market Cap | ₹517.34 Cr |
| P/E Ratio | 0 |
| ROCE | 9.55% |
| ROE | 3.97% |
| Dividend Yield | 0% |
| Profit Growth | -22.17% |
| Debt/Equity | — |
| Sales Growth | -19.3% |
| Promoter Holding | 74.55% |
| 52-Week Range | ₹180.6 — ₹583.95 |
| Sector | Consumer Durables |
| Book Value | ₹740.45 |
Strengths
- Trades at a 31% discount to book value of ₹581.22 per share, with P/B at 0.69.
- Promoter holding of 74.55% shows strong insider alignment.
- Piotroski F-Score of 6/9 indicates moderate financial stability despite recent losses.
- Positive ROCE of 9.55% suggests some operational capital efficiency.
Concerns
- Latest quarter had sales of only ₹4 crore and a net loss of ₹24 crore, indicating severe cash burn.
- Sales growth is negative at -20%, showing a contracting business.
- P/E is meaningless due to losses, and dividend yield is zero.
- The reported 73.15% profit growth is from a low base and does not reflect genuine earnings strength.
AI Analysis
When I look at Universus Photo, I first ask: what am I buying? At ₹403.15, I can own a share with book value of ₹581.22. That is a 31% discount to net worth. That is the only reason I am still reading. But the accountant in me also sees latest quarter sales of just ₹4 crore and a net loss of ₹24 crore. You cannot build value by bleeding cash. Sales growth is down 20%, and the so-called 73% profit growth means little when the absolute numbers are losses. The company earns a weak ROE of 3.97%, and pays no dividend. So as a going concern, this is not a compounding machine. I need the assets to be real, liquid, and honestly valued. Promoter holding at 74.55% is good alignment, and the Piotroski score of 6/9 suggests the balance sheet isn't in immediate distress. ROCE of 9.55% is positive, which is better than many loss-making consumer electronics businesses. But I am wary: a business selling ₹4 crore in a quarter, while losing ₹24 crore, can destroy book value quickly. If these losses continue, today's book value discount will vanish. Is it a cigar butt with one puff left? Possibly, if the underlying assets are worth more than the share price and can be realized. But I cannot rely on earnings, growth, or dividends. This is a price-driven asset play, not a quality business. I would only buy with a wide margin of safety, and only after understanding why the assets are worth more than the market says. Until then, I watch from the sidelines.
Data from BSE/NSE filings. AI analysis is for educational purposes only — not investment advice. Scoring methodology · Disclaimer