3QFY25
India Strategy
BSE Sensex: 77,506
Refer to our Quarter Preview
February 2025
Nifty-50: 23,482
Interim review: In line with modest expectations
Downgrades outpace Upgrades by 4:1; Nifty EPS cut 1.2%/1.5% for FY26/27E
In this report, we present our interim review of the 3QFY25 earnings season.
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As of 31 Jan’25, 183/36 companies within the MOFSL Universe/Nifty
announced their 3QFY25 results.
These companies constituted: i) 77% and 78%
of the estimated PAT for the MOFSL and Nifty Universe, respectively; ii) 51% of
India's market capitalization; and iii) 77% weightage in the Nifty.
The earnings growth of the aforementioned 183 MOFSL Universe companies grew
3% YoY (est. +4% YoY) in 3QFY25. The aggregate performance was hit by drag from
global commodities. Excluding Metals and O&G, the MOFSL Universe and Nifty
clocked 8% and 4% earnings growth vs. expectations of +8% and +5%, respectively.
The modest earnings growth was driven once again by BFSI, with positive
contributions from Technology, Real Estate, Healthcare, and Capital Goods.
Conversely, earnings growth was weighed down by global cyclicals, such as O&G
(OMC’s profit declined 18% YoY), which dipped 10% YoY, along with Metals (-9%
YoY), Cement (-47% YoY), Automobiles (-9%), and Consumer (-1%). Excluding
BFSI, profits for the MOFSL Universe have declined 1% YoY (vs. est. of +2% YoY).
Earnings of the 36 Nifty companies that have declared results so far have inched
up 1% YoY (vs. est. of +2% YoY), fueled by ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, BPCL,
Infosys, and TCS. Conversely, Coal India, ONGC, Tata Motors, JSW Steel, IndusInd
Bank, and Ultratech Cement contributed adversely to Nifty earnings. Seven
companies within the Nifty reported lower-than-expected profits, while seven
recorded a beat and 22 registered in-line results.
Downgrades 4x of upgrades:
Until now, 19/78 companies within the MOFSL
Coverage Universe have reported an upgrade/downgrade of more than 3% each,
leading to an adverse upgrade-to-downgrade ratio for FY26E. Further, the EBITDA
margin of the MOFSL Universe (ex-Financials) expanded marginally by 20bp YoY to
16.2%, primarily aided by the Healthcare, Telecom, and Real Estate sectors but
dragged down by the Cement, Automobiles, Consumer, and Retail sectors.
Nifty EPS saw a downgrade of 1.2%/1.5% for FY26E/FY27E:
The Nifty EPS
estimate for FY26 was cut by 1.2% to INR1,205, largely owing to HDFC Bank, JSW
Steel, Axis Bank, and Tata Steel. FY27E EPS was also reduced by 1.5% to
INR1,378 (from INR1,398) due to downgrades in HDFC Bank, Tata Steel, Reliance
Industries, Tata Motors, and Axis Bank.
Summary of the 3QFY25 performance thus far: 1) Banks:
Earnings growth for
private banks was mixed, with SMIDs witnessing a sharp earnings decline amid
accelerated provisions, while large banks were on a much more stable trend. CD
ratio remained elevated for the system, as most of the banks reported weak
deposit growth amid tight liquidity. Asset quality trends were mixed. PSU Banks,
conversely, reported controlled slippages, while credit cost guidance remains
largely benign.
2) NBFCs – Lending:
NBFCs reported a minor deterioration in
asset quality in the historically seasonally strong 3Q of the fiscal year. Credit costs
for NBFC-MFIs remained high because of a sustained deterioration in asset
quality. Disbursements and loan growth for mortgage financiers were adversely
affected, resulting in delays in property registrations and increased operational
challenges.
3) Technology:
The IT Services companies presented a mixed picture
in a seasonally weak quarter, with a median revenue growth of 1.8% QoQ CC in
Gautam Duggad – Research Analyst
(Gautam.Duggad@MotilalOswal.com)
Research Analyst: Deven Mistry
(Deven@MotilalOswal.com)
/
Aanshul Agarawal
(Aanshul.Agarawal@Motilaloswal.com)
Motilal Oswal research is available on www.motilaloswal.com/Institutional-Equities, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Capital.
Investors are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.