Morgan Stanley upgrades India's Sterlite to 'overweight'

Shares in Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd rose 2 per cent to Rs 117.90 after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to 'overweight' from 'neutral' and raised its target price to Rs 142 from Rs 110.20.

The investment bank says Sterlite shares have been "cheap for a while," and adds group restructuring and minority consolidation, improving sentiment in power and aluminium, and a bottoming in China's economic outlook as the key reasons for the upgrade.

Morgan Stanley expects the merger of Sesa Goa Ltd and Sterlite to be concluded by the end of March, saying it will lift sentiment due to a simplified holding structure and healthier diversification.

The bank also sees an increased possibility that Sterlite may be able to exercise its call option on the government's remaining stakes in Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Bharat Aluminum Co Ltd.

Copyright @ Thomson Reuters 2013