$APOLLOTYRE Apollo Tyres shares gained 5%

Apollo Tyres shares gained 5% to ₹426.40 after Kotak Institutional Equities upgraded the stock to ‘Add’ from ‘Reduce’ and raised its target price to ₹450. The company is also exploring a ₹3,000 crore greenfield factory in southern Tamil Nadu and expanding its brand visibility through Team India cricket sponsorships. 🏭 Business & Expansion Highlights Area Latest Development Impact New Factory (Tamil Nadu) Apollo Tyres is in talks with the state government to set up a ₹3,000 crore greenfield plant in southern Tamil Nadu, supplementing its existing Oragadam unit. Expands manufacturing capacity beyond Chennai; supports long‑term growth. European Operations Closure of Netherlands plants expected to improve profitability from FY 28. Streamlines overseas operations and reduces fixed costs. Capacity Utilization Current plants running at ≈ 90% utilization across Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Indicates strong domestic demand and need for new capacity. Key Drivers: Recovery in truck & bus radial (TBR) segment. Crude‑oil price decline easing input costs. Price hikes across product lines. Profitability Outlook: Expected rebound from H2 FY 27 onward. 🏏 Marketing & Brand Partnerships Team India Sponsorship: Apollo Tyres holds a ₹579 crore deal (2025–2027) as lead jersey sponsor for both men’s and women’s national cricket teams. Recent Campaigns: Featured Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India’s youngest T20I player, wearing Apollo‑branded jersey. Navya Garg, 8‑year‑old cricketer, starred in Apollo’s ad portraying young Jemimah Rodrigues. Strategic Impact: Strengthens Apollo’s consumer visibility and emotional connect with sports audiences. ⚠️ Risks & Analyst Notes Margin Pressure: Operating leverage still limited; profitability may stay subdued short‑term. Competition: MRF, Yokohama, and CEAT expanding aggressively in South India. Commodity Sensitivity: Tyre makers remain vulnerable to crude‑linked raw‑material costs.