Downgrades

Prince Pipes and Fittings (PRINCPIP) reported a steady quarter amid the ongoing challenges of volatile pricing and the extended monsoon, affecting demand.

Nilkamal Ltd.'s (NILK) Q2FY26 result was ahead of our estimates on key parameters. The B2B segment of the Company achieved a growth of 18% in value & 13% in volume terms. Material Handling Business grew by 20%. The Mattress and Foam Business grew by 65% in Q2FY26 through diverse product offerings, brand engagement initiatives and market presence through higher channel partners. The Bubbleguard business grew by 23%, Nilkamal Edge - Institutional furniture business witness de growth of 2% while furniture trade business grew by 6%. The Retail & E-commerce segment clocked turnover of Rs110crs a growth...

Astral Ltd.'s Q2FY26 result was above our estimates on key parameters. The management guided that overall demand was weak in the industry, and the second quarter was particularly challenging due to very high and extended monsoon, low government spending, and slow construction activity. Despite challenging business environment, Astral delivered healthy performance in Q2FY26, achieving 20% volume growth and 15% value growth on a consolidated basis. The company's decentralized plant structure helped gain market share and resulted in strong growing demand, despite the overall industry weakness....

Supreme Industries (SI) reported muted operating performance (EBITDA down 7% YoY), led by volatile PVC prices, a lower VAP mix, and weak demand (due to extended monsoon).

We recommend a BUY on the stock with a target price of Rs 1,570/share, implying an upside of 10% from the CMP.

PVC pipe demand is expected to rebound from Q2FY26 after a subdued start in Q1, which was hit by declining PVC prices, early monsoons, lower government spending and inventory losses.

Astral Ltd.'s Q1FY26 result was below our estimates on key parameters. Though Q1 typically sees higher PVC volume due to agricultural demand, this quarter was impacted due to early monsoon which reduced CPVC volume and valueadded products. Further, plumbing segment volume remained flat in Q1 due to low demand, early monsoon, and low government spending. During the quarter polymer prices were volatile resulting into inventory losses and affected on realization. Despite headwinds, the management is confident of achieving double-digit growth for FY26. We have reduced our net sales/EBITDA estimates by 6%/14% and 6%/11% respectively over FY26E/FY27E. Maintain BUY with a...

Astral Ltd (ASTRA) has reported flat volume growth of 0.5% in the plastic pipe segment due to weak demand scenario and delays in ADD on PVC resin. Its plumbing EBITDA margin contracted by 150bps YoY to 16.4%, with EBITDA per kg for the plastic pipe segment at Rs 27.9 after inventory loss of Rs 250mn in Q1FY26. During the quarter, PVC prices declined by 14% YoY. However, from Q2FY26, prices stabilized, and volumes began to recover. In July'25, the company recorded a 30% YoY volume growth. We anticipate ASTRA will...

Astral reported a lower-than-expected Q1FY26 with pipe volume growth of 0.5% YoY (6-year CAGR of 10%). Consol. revenue fell 1.6% YoY with pipes/adhesives segments being -6.7%/+8.6% YoY. Pipes’ reported EBITDA/kg declined 14.3% YoY to INR 27.9/kg (adjusted for inventory losses of INR 250mn, it was flat YoY).

Quarterly Update Q1FY26

Prince Pipes' Q1FY26 result was below our estimates on key parameters. A major factor influencing the industry was the heightened volatility in PVC resin prices, which negatively impacted both volume growth and profitability across the sector. A sharp correction in these prices further resulted in inventory losses for the company in the trade channel, temporarily compressing margins in Q1FY26. The management has guided high single-digit to low double-digit volume growth for FY26E. EBITDA Margin is projected to improve going forward. Q2FY26 is expected to be better than Q1 on margin front, and the second half of...

Finolex Industries' (FIL) Q1FY26 result was below our estimates on key parameters. The company experienced modest growth in pipes and fittings volumes, despite a weak overall demand scenario, however, operating performance was muted mainly due to weaker realization on account of volatility in PVC prices. The management guided that the demand has shown high single-digit growth as of early August 2025. The company expects this high single-digit trend to continue and is hopeful of crossing double-digit growth for FY26. Net sales declined by 8.5% YoY to Rs10.4bn, while EBITDA came in at...

Nilkamal Ltd.'s (NILK) Q1FY26 result was ahead of our estimate on net sales, however, margins disappointed. The B2B segment of the Company achieved a growth of 19% in value & 22% in volume terms. The mattress and foam business grew by 51% in Q 1 FY26 through diverse product offerings, brand engagement initiatives and market presence through higher channel partners. The Bubbleguard business grew by 22% in Q1FY26, Nilkamal Edge- Intuitional furniture business shows degrowth by 30% while furniture trade business grew by 3% YoY. The Retail & E-commerce segment clocked turnover of Rs92crs a...

Nilkamal’s Q1 revenue surged 18.9% y/y to Rs8.8bn. Gross profit was up 15.5% y/y to Rs3.7bn. Business restructuring and front-loading of costs w.r.t the Hosur, TN plant restricted EBITDA to Rs580m, up 2.9% y/y.

Supreme Industries Ltd.'s (SIL) Q1FY26 result was below our estimates on key parameters. During the quarter the Plastic Pipe Systems business growth was adversely affected due to unfavorable PVC resin prices scenario and demand from infrastructure spend not picking. The segment was also affected due to 20 days early break off monsoon. This resulted in loss of agriculture piping system business due to fall in prices in the quarter also there were inventory loss affecting profitability in the quarter. SIL reported net sales of Rs26bn, down by 1% YoY, while EBITDA came in at Rs3.1bn, declined by 17.7% over Q1FY25. It...

P&F reported soft volume growth of 2.1% YoY due to challenging demand scenario and delays in ADD on PVC resin prices. The company has guided double digit volume growth for FY26, with margin recovery expected as competitive pricing will improve with demand and normalization in channel inventory. EBIT/kg for the P&F segment moderated at Rs10.5 with lower PVCEDC spread at USD 491/MT and 3.2% YoY lower realization. The correction in realization was mainly due to discounts and correction in RM prices. We...

Reported a healthy pipe margin in Q4FY25, despite operating amidst weak demand conditions and falling resin prices

Astral Ltd (ASTRA) has reported soft volume growth of 1.3% in the plastic pipe segment (as expected) due to weak demand scenario and delays in ADD on PVC resin prices. However, its plumbing EBITDA margin remain flat YoY at 20.4%, with EBITDA per kg for the plastic pipe segment at Rs37 even after inventory loss in Q4FY25. This was considered healthy given the current challenging demand environment, largely due to an increase in the VAP mix and cost rationalization efforts. With the upward reversal in PVC resin prices,...