Polycab India LtdJan2026 Conference Call Summary

AI-generated summary · Based on official transcripts and investor presentations

Polycab India Ltd — Jan2026 (Q3 FY26)

Overview

Q3 FY26 Earnings Call held January 16, 2026 (quarter ended Dec 31, 2025). Revenue +46% YoY; highest-ever Q3 PAT INR 6.3 bn. 9M FY26 revenues, EBITDA, and PAT all highest-ever for any 9-month period in company history. Key margin headwind: copper +35% Apr-Dec FY26 (21% within Q3 alone) with staggered price pass-through strategy. Board redesignated Bharat Jaisinghani and Nikhil Jaisinghani as Joint Managing Directors.

Key Financials (Q3 FY26)

Metric Q3 FY26 YoY
Revenue (consol.) -- +46%
EBITDA Margin 12.7% (adj. ~13%) --
PAT INR 6.3 bn +36% (highest ever Q3)
PAT Margin 8.3% --
Net Cash INR 30.3 bn --
Working Capital 27 days elevated (LC-driven; normalized 50-55 days)
Q3 Capex INR 3.4 bn --
9M Capex INR 10.9 bn on track with Project Spring
  • One-off labor code gratuity provision: ~INR 219 mn (across all segments); adjusted EBITDA ~13%
  • Finance costs INR 687 mn; other income INR 505 mn

9M FY26 (All-Time Highs)

Metric 9M FY26 YoY
Revenue >INR 200 bn (milestone crossed) +30%
EBITDA Margin 14.2% --
EBITDA Growth -- +47%
PAT Margin 9.6% --
PAT Growth -- +47%

Wires & Cables (Q3 FY26)

Metric Q3 FY26
Segment revenue growth +53% YoY
Domestic W&C revenue growth +59% YoY
Domestic W&C volume growth ~+40% YoY
Wires revenue growth +70% YoY (copper price driven)
Cables revenue growth +50% YoY
Export contribution 6% (vs 8.3% Q3 FY25)
Institutional vs channel ~12% institutional (shifted +200 bps from normal ~10%)
Capacity utilization Early 80% range
  • Copper +35% Apr-Dec FY26 (21% within Q3; 11% in Dec alone); aluminium +27%
  • Staggered pass-through: 75-80% passed in Q3; remainder in Q4 (price hike taken start of Q4)
  • Channel wire inventory elevated at 40-45 days (normal 30 days); fundamental demand remains robust
  • Wires outpaced cables due to pre-stocking (copper price driven); cables:wires mix marginally shifted toward wires
  • Export soft: US tariff overhang; Middle East and Latin America performing well; healthy order book
  • EBITDA margin by product: wires domestic 15-16%; cables domestic 9-12%; exports 15%+
  • Cables:wires mix normally 70:30; institutional normally 90:10

FMEG Business (Q3 FY26)

Metric Q3 FY26
Revenue growth +17% YoY
Profitability 4th consecutive profitable quarter
Solar growth 2x YoY; largest FMEG category
Solar EBITDA margin High single digit
Fans Soft (post-summer channel inventory clearing)
  • BEE norms for fans effective Jan 1, 2026: ~2-4% price hike expected industry-wide
  • A&P elevated in Q3 (festive season + celebrity associations); annual guidance: 3-5% of B2C top-line (currently ~1.5%)
  • Project Spring FMEG target: 1.5x-2x industry growth; EBITDA margin 8-10% by FY30

EPC Business (Q3 FY26)

Metric Q3 FY26
Revenue INR 4,069 mn (+4% YoY)
EBIT Margin 6.7%
  • BharatNet execution commenced: INR 4.5 bn project revenue over 3 years + INR 3.5 bn O&M over 10 years
  • Sustainable long-term EBIT margin: high single digits

India Macro Context

  • Q2 FY26 GDP: 8.2%; India became 4th largest economy globally (surpassed Japan Nov 2025; GDP USD 4.19 trillion)
  • RBI cumulative cut 125 bps in CY2025; FY26 growth forecast revised to 7.3%; inflation target 2%
  • Government capex +28.2% YoY in 8M FY26 (INR 6.6 trillion vs INR 5.1 trillion prior year)
  • Private capex recovery aided by monetary easing and CST rate cuts on consumption
  • Real estate: top 7 cities launches/sales near decadal highs; affordable housing picking up

Project Spring (FY2030 Targets)

  • Annual capex: INR 12-16 bn through FY30; 9M FY26 INR 10.9 bn (on track)
  • W&C EBITDA margin: 11-13% long-term; 12-14% near-to-mid term
  • FMEG EBITDA: 8-10% by FY30
  • Exports: >10% of revenue by FY30
  • Dividend payout: >30% by FY30