Upgrades

Dr. Agarwal Health Care’s (DAHL) 2QFY26 revenue was in line with our expectation, whereas EBITDA/PAT came in 5%/11% above our estimates. Robust growth in surgeries and opitcals/pharmacy products was supported by better realization.

BUY with a target price of Rs 702 implying an upside of 10% from the CMP

The company's impressive Q1FY26 performance, which saw robust revenue growth, was fuelled by higher occupancy rates and ARPOB. This in turn led to an expansion in margins and profitability. The company's ambitious expansion plan to double its capacity over the next 4-5 years remain on track, with plans to add approximately 1,000 brownfield and 500 greenfield beds. The healthy growth and occupancy trends observed in the existing and recently acquired units further reinforce the positive outlook. The stock is trading at elevated valuations therefore we downgrade...

*over or under performance to benchmark index In Q1FY25, inpatient volume was up 15.3% YoY and 6.22% QoQ, while outpatient KIMS ramped up its capacity to 5,499 beds in Q1FY26. However, occupancy...

HCG is poised to deliver strong top-line growth over the next 23 years, supported by improvements in ARPOB and ongoing bed additions. However, profitability recovery may be gradual given the debt-funded nature of recent capex. Management has indicated plans for a capital infusion, which could help ease the interest burden. With KKR as the new promoter, the business is expected to undergo transformation, enhancing growth and operational efficiencies. Considering the elevated debt levels, we retain our Hold...

The proposed merger of Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital (AEHL) with Dr. Agarwal Healthcare (AHCL) would consolidate the businesses of AHCL and AEHL into a single entity.

We maintain a BUY rating on the stock with a TP of Rs 1,450/share, implying an upside potential of 19% from the CMP.

Max Healthcare Institute (MAXHEALT) reported healthy EBITDA growth of 23% YoY to Rs 6.14bn; in line with our estimates. The company showed phenomenal growth with ~19% EBITDA CAGR over FY22-25. We expect pick-up in the growth momentum given 1) strong expansion plans (+3700 additional beds over FY25-28E), 2) improving payor mix and 3) Bolt on acquisitions like recently added in Lucknow, Nagpur and Noida. Operational efficiency has also been commendable, especially in competitive markets like NCR. Our FY26E/27E...

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (APHS) reported consolidated EBITDA of Rs8.5bn (up 26% YoY), was 6% above our estimates. Adjusted for 24x7 losses and ESOPs cost (~Rs1.2bn), EBITDA was Rs9.7bn, up 18% YoY. The recent stake sale in HealthCo to Advent and merger with Keimed are a positive step and will lead to an integrated pharmacy distribution business complemented by the fastgrowing omni-channel digital health business. Scale-up in Apollo HealthCo has been on track with likely breakeven in EBITDA of digital business over the next 3-4 quarters. The management guidance of Rs20bn EBITDA of the merged entity by FY28 provides comfort. Further, mgmt. has also announced the...

We maintain a BUY rating on Medanta, supported by the expected recovery from temporary business disruptions, improvement in ARPOB, and incremental bed capacity addition, including the Noida hospital, which is likely to be operational by the end of H1FY26E.

Below our estimate (mainly losses at Cayman Integrated Healthcare), Narayana Hrudayalaya’s Q1 EBITDA was Rs3.4bn, up 11% y/y, 7% q/q.

Global Health (Medanta) delivered better-than-expected 1QFY26. Improved performance in mature as well as developing hospitals led to a 7%/6%/11% beat on our sales/EBITDA/PAT estimates for the quarter.

We maintain a BUY rating on Fortis Healthcare with a target price of Rs 1,000/share.

We maintain our BUY rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 830/share,

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) reported EBITDA growth of 7.4% YoY, below our estimates impacted by higher losses from new units. Our FY26E EBITDA stands reduced by 5%, however FY27E EBITDA broadly remains unchanged as new units are likely to ramp up. The company is on track to commercialize greenfield expansions at Bengaluru markets by Q2FY26. New leadership team hiring across Karnataka and Kerala provides comfort for faster ramp-up in these clusters. Given its lean cost structure and partnership...

Fortis Healthcare (FORH) reported strong EBITDA of Rs4.9bn, up 43% YoY, marking strong beat across segments. Though hospital margin has improved by 360bps bps YoY over FY23-25 to ~20%, we see further scope for improvement aided by 1) improving case and payor mix, 2) cost rationalization initiatives and ramp-up of Manesar unit, and 3) new brownfield bed additions. Additionally, we expect margin to expand further, driven by the recent...

Narayana Hrudayalaya (NARH) reported EBITDA of Rs3.4bn (up 11% YoY) in Q1FY26, 4% below our estimates due to losses at Cayman Integrated Healthcare business. The Cayman business reported profitability of Rs1.44bn (up 17% YoY), adjusted for CIHL losses, up 25% YoY. India business reported healthy EBITDA adjusted for NHIC losses, up 13% YoY. The management reiterated its aggressive capex plan and commitment towards growing throughput over the next 3-4 years through debottlenecking, refurbishment...

We maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock.

HealthCare Global Enterprises’ (HCG) Q1FY26 result was in line with our expectations. Revenue grew 16.7% YoY driven by new centres in Mumbai (+28% YoY), Kolkata (+17% YoY) and Ahmedabad (+22% YoY) while key cluster of Karnataka and East India grew at a moderate pace.

In line with our estimates and the consensus, Jupiter Lifeline Hospital reported healthy Q1 figures, with revenue/EBITDA up 21%/22% y/y. PAT, however, dipped a tad, 1% y/y due to higher interest cost and depreciation charges.