Weak prolonged winter season impacted Orient Electric’s water heater and fan sales, while lighting outperformed led by strong B2B demand. Fan demand recovered over the past 7–8 days, and management remains optimistic about Q1 performance, supported by severe summer forecast across India.
Maruti Suzuki’s Q4 standalone EBITDA declined 9% y/y to Rs42.6bn, below our estimated Rs49.3bn. Domestic volumes would clock a 5% CAGR over FY25-27 due to higher income levels (income-tax cuts), a rebound in first-time buyers, rural demand, launches and lower finance costs.
Despite healthy balance sheet growth, higher provisioning led to a 58% y/y fall in IDFC First Bank’s PAT. Microfinance credit costs have peaked for the year. We value the bank at 1.2x FY27e PBV and retain a Buy rating, primarily led by the higher balance sheet growth, strong NIM and improving operating leverage.
We visited Gabriel’s plant and attended its management meet on Thursday in Pune. The company’s change in strategy by way of entry into the high-growth ‘sunroof’ product line is positive and would be a major value driver.
Supreme Industries’ Q4 revenue remained muted at Rs30bn, up just 0.6% y/y, as overall volumes sold rose a meagre 2.3% y/y. Profitability was impacted as PVC pricing environment remained uncertain, with a downward bias deferring filling of channel inventory and under absorption of fixed overheads.
HUL’s Q4 was broadly in line with the Street’s expectations, with volumes growing 2% y/y (vs. 0-2% estimated) and the EBITDA margin at 22.8% (vs. 23%).
Havells’ robust Q4 results were led by strong, 21% y/y, growth in cables and Lloyd’s 39% y/y revenue increase. We expect cost-saving steps and operating leverage to expand margins and profitability for Lloyd. The ramp-up of the new cable capacity will further add to growth.
Its choice of micro-markets and differentiated products make Suraj Estate stand out. On its long-standing operations (over 38 years’ delivery) in south-central Mumbai (high barriers to entry, paucity of land parcels), cost and time effective redevelopment model, keen focus on the value-luxury category (conforming to demographics) and select luxury developments, it has emerged as a real estate supplier of choice in its chosen markets.
We recently attended Hindalco’s Investor Day 2025 where management unveiled ~$10bn expansion plan for Novelis and India, along with multiple strategic initiatives, which would help strengthen its market leadership.
We recently organized an underground mine visit in Gumgaon for our clients and thereafter interacted with Mr Ajit Kumar Saxena (Chairman and Managing Director), Mr Rakesh Tumane (Director- Finance), Mr M.M. Abdulla (Director- Production & Planning) and other Board of Directors.