India Equity Analyst - Fundamental & Thematic, Beat the Street

Sudarshan Bhandari

India Equity Analyst - Fundamental & Thematic

Beat the Street

Beat The Street was founded by Nimish Maheshwari and Sudarshan Bhandari, both of whom are Chartered Accountants by Profession, known for their expert analysis in the fields of Business, Sectoral analysis, and Corporate governance.

With a strong social media presence of 45,000+ Subscribers across various platforms, they are considered trusted voices in the industry. Their insights and analysis have been featured in some of India’s most prominent publications, including the Economic Times, Dalal Street Investment Journal, The Morning Context, and The Ken.

Their analysis on Bankrupt & Insolvent companies has been instrumental in saving investors from significant losses. They have a keen eye for identifying red flags and has identified exclusive redflags earlier in Vedanta, Nykaa, Dhani Services, Adani and many more.

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Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Several Indian sectors have demonstrated a robust recovery in operating margins on a Year-over-Year (YoY) basis as of March 2025 (Q4 FY25)</li>
<li>This broad-based improvement is primarily attributed to a confluence of industry-wide factors, predominantly the easing of input costs driven by moderating inflation.</li>
<li>Sectors like Telecom, Metals, Cement, Consumer Durables, Capital Goods, Automobile, Healthcare, EMS are seeing uptick in margins</li>
</ul>


Several Indian sectors have demonstrated a robust recovery in operating margins on a Year-over-Year (YoY) basis as of March 2025 (Q4 FY25)
This broad-based improvement is primarily attributed to a confluence of industry-wide factors, predominantly the easing of input costs driven by moderating inflation.
Sectors like Telecom, Metals, Cement, Consumer Durables, Capital Goods, Automobile, Healthcare, EMS are seeing uptick in margins


Charted Insights : Sectors Seeing Margin Uptick as Inflation Cools Down in India

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), HDFC Securities

HDFC Securities

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

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Content available is external broker reports authored by a third party outside the Smartkarma network and has been aggregated by an online aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed by Smartkarma in this format for user's convenience and general informational purposes only. Content does not constitute investment or financial advice and Smartkarma makes no representation or warranty regarding its accuracy or contents. Original third party author retains all copyright and other proprietary rights in the content. Access or use of third party links not controlled by Smartkarma are at the user's own risk.

<ul><li>HCL Technologies: HCL Tech demonstrated resilient performance across its services (+0.7% QoQ CC) and software businesses (+4.9% YoY CC) amidst a global environment characterised by increasing uncertainty and reduced discretionary spending</li><li>While IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&amp;D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the software business was impacted by seasonality</li><li>Looking ahead, HCL Tech anticipates a modest growth outlook (2-5% YoY CC) with stable profitability (EBIT 18-19%), acknowledging the potential for further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment that could impact client IT spending</li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

HCL Technologies: HCL Tech demonstrated resilient performance across its services (+0.7% QoQ CC) and software businesses (+4.9% YoY CC) amidst a global environment characterised by increasing uncertainty and reduced discretionary spendingWhile IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&amp;D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the software business was impacted by seasonalityLooking ahead, HCL Tech anticipates a modest growth outlook (2-5% YoY CC) with stable profitability (EBIT 18-19%), acknowledging the potential for further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment that could impact client IT spendingContent is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

HSIE Results Daily: HCL Technologies, Havells India, AU Small Finance Bank...

Market & Forensics Analyst, Beat the Street

Nimish Maheshwari

Market & Forensics Analyst

<ul>
<li>The RBI’s March 2025 surveys highlight a balanced recovery, with easing inflation expectations, strong rural sentiment, and sector-specific growth prospects across banking, manufacturing, and services.</li>
<li>With moderate credit growth and consumer confidence improving, sectors like agri-finance, retail, and infrastructure are poised for growth, while inflationary pressures and currency depreciation may impact import-dependent companies.</li>
<li>India's economic recovery is steady, with sector-specific positioning crucial. As rural confidence rises and inflation expectations moderate, growth opportunities are more identifiable, especially in rural finance and manufacturing.</li>
</ul>


The RBI’s March 2025 surveys highlight a balanced recovery, with easing inflation expectations, strong rural sentiment, and sector-specific growth prospects across banking, manufacturing, and services.
With moderate credit growth and consumer confidence improving, sectors like agri-finance, retail, and infrastructure are poised for growth, while inflationary pressures and currency depreciation may impact import-dependent companies.
India's economic recovery is steady, with sector-specific positioning crucial. As rural confidence rises and inflation expectations moderate, growth opportunities are more identifiable, especially in rural finance and manufacturing.


<ul><li>HCL Technologies: HCL Tech demonstrated resilient performance across its services (+0.7% QoQ CC) and software businesses (+4.9% YoY CC) amidst a global environment characterised by increasing uncertainty and reduced discretionary spending</li><li>While IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&amp;D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the software business was impacted by seasonality</li><li>Looking ahead, HCL Tech anticipates a modest growth outlook (2-5% YoY CC) with stable profitability (EBIT 18-19%), acknowledging the potential for further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment that could impact client IT spending</li><li>The services business has consistently outperformed peers over the last two years with AI and Gen AI becoming integral part of most of the deals</li><li>Despite these uncertainties, HCL Tech experienced strong deal bookings in Q4 FY25, indicating continued client engagement, and the pipeline remains robust with net-new TCV of USD 2.9bn (+30% YoY)</li><li>The impact of global uncertainty is expected to potentially supress discretionary spending and necessitate strong ROI justifications for new projects, although efficiency-driven and AI-led initiatives will drive deal conversations</li><li>We cut our revenue estimate by ~3-4% and maintain our ADD rating with a target price of INR 1,720, based on 22x FY27E EPS</li><li>Havells India: Havells’ Q4 revenue grew by a healthy 20% YoY to INR 65bn, aided by 21/40% growth in cable/Lloyd segments</li><li>However, gross margin contracted by 70bps YoY, but this was offset by lower employee and ad spends</li><li>So, EBITDAM was maintained YoY at 11.6%, translating into 20% EBITDA growth</li><li>Performance across segments was mixed: switchgear revenue grew but margins declined; cable revenue saw strong growth with stable margins; lighting revenue saw minimal growth with margin contraction; ECD revenue and margins both improved; and Lloyd's exhibited significant revenue and margin expansion</li><li>Management highlighted that secondary sales for AC and fans have been weak in March and April due to the delayed summer</li><li>We maintain ADD rating and value the company at 50x Mar-27E EPS to arrive at a TP of INR 1,650/sh.</li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

HCL Technologies: HCL Tech demonstrated resilient performance across its services (+0.7% QoQ CC) and software businesses (+4.9% YoY CC) amidst a global environment characterised by increasing uncertainty and reduced discretionary spendingWhile IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&amp;D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the software business was impacted by seasonalityLooking ahead, HCL Tech anticipates a modest growth outlook (2-5% YoY CC) with stable profitability (EBIT 18-19%), acknowledging the potential for further deterioration in the macroeconomic environment that could impact client IT spendingThe services business has consistently outperformed peers over the last two years with AI and Gen AI becoming integral part of most of the dealsDespite these uncertainties, HCL Tech experienced strong deal bookings in Q4 FY25, indicating continued client engagement, and the pipeline remains robust with net-new TCV of USD 2.9bn (+30% YoY)The impact of global uncertainty is expected to potentially supress discretionary spending and necessitate strong ROI justifications for new projects, although efficiency-driven and AI-led initiatives will drive deal conversationsWe cut our revenue estimate by ~3-4% and maintain our ADD rating with a target price of INR 1,720, based on 22x FY27E EPSHavells India: Havells’ Q4 revenue grew by a healthy 20% YoY to INR 65bn, aided by 21/40% growth in cable/Lloyd segmentsHowever, gross margin contracted by 70bps YoY, but this was offset by lower employee and ad spendsSo, EBITDAM was maintained YoY at 11.6%, translating into 20% EBITDA growthPerformance across segments was mixed: switchgear revenue grew but margins declined; cable revenue saw strong growth with stable margins; lighting revenue saw minimal growth with margin contraction; ECD revenue and margins both improved; and Lloyd's exhibited significant revenue and margin expansionManagement highlighted that secondary sales for AC and fans have been weak in March and April due to the delayed summerWe maintain ADD rating and value the company at 50x Mar-27E EPS to arrive at a TP of INR 1,650/sh.Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

HSIE Results Daily: HCL Technologies, Havells India, AU Small Finance Bank

<ul>
<li>India’s RAC market is growing at 18–20% CAGR, but faces a critical compressor supply shortage due to capacity constraints and BIS-related import delays.</li>
<li>Short-Term risks around component supply, margins, and inventory exist, but structural demand drivers and PLI-driven localization present long-term tailwinds for OEMs and component makers.</li>
<li>Despite near-term volatility, AC sector remains a strong structural story; focus shifts to players with scale, backward integration, and policy-aligned manufacturing strategies.</li>
</ul>


India’s RAC market is growing at 18–20% CAGR, but faces a critical compressor supply shortage due to capacity constraints and BIS-related import delays.
Short-Term risks around component supply, margins, and inventory exist, but structural demand drivers and PLI-driven localization present long-term tailwinds for OEMs and component makers.
Despite near-term volatility, AC sector remains a strong structural story; focus shifts to players with scale, backward integration, and policy-aligned manufacturing strategies.


Thematic Report: Cooling India- Indian Air Conditioner (AC) Industry

India

Havells India is a multinational fast-moving electrical goods (FMEG) company that manufactures and distributes a diverse range of industrial and consumer electrical products. Their offerings include circuit protection devices, cables and wires, motors, fans, modular switches, lighting, home appliances, and air conditioners. The company is headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, and was founded in 1958.

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Havells India (HAVL IN)

Charted Insights : Sectors Seeing Margin Uptick as Inflation Cools Down in India

Indian sectors show strong recovery in operating margins in Q4 FY25 due to lower input costs driven by easing inflation.

Sudarshan Bhandari

HSIE Results Daily: HCL Technologies, Havells India, AU Small Finance Bank...

While IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the...

HDFC Securities

RBI Forward-Looking Survey Analysis

RBI surveys show balanced recovery in India, with rural sentiment strong and growth prospects in banking, manufacturing, and services. Sector...

Nimish Maheshwari

HSIE Results Daily: HCL Technologies, Havells India, AU Small Finance Bank

While IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the...

HDFC Securities

Thematic Report: Cooling India- Indian Air Conditioner (AC) Industry

India's RAC market faces compressor supply shortage and import delays, but long-term growth potential remains strong with PLI-driven localization.

Nimish Maheshwari

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Charted Insights : Sectors Seeing Margin Uptick as Inflation Cools Down in India

​Indian sectors show strong recovery in operating margins in Q4 FY25 due to lower input costs driven by easing inflation.

Sudarshan Bhandari

HSIE Results Daily: HCL Technologies, Havells India, AU Small Finance Bank...

While IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the...

HDFC Securities

RBI Forward-Looking Survey Analysis

​RBI surveys show balanced recovery in India, with rural sentiment strong and growth prospects in banking, manufacturing, and services. Sector...

Nimish Maheshwari

HSIE Results Daily: HCL Technologies, Havells India, AU Small Finance Bank

While IT services revenue saw a slight sequential decline (-0.3% QoQ CC), the ER&D revenue registered strong growth of 5.5% QoQ CC, and the...

HDFC Securities

Thematic Report: Cooling India- Indian Air Conditioner (AC) Industry

​India's RAC market faces compressor supply shortage and import delays, but long-term growth potential remains strong with PLI-driven localization.

Nimish Maheshwari

Indian sectors show strong recovery in operating margins in Q4 FY25 due to lower input costs driven by easing inflation.

RBI surveys show balanced recovery in India, with rural sentiment strong and growth prospects in banking, manufacturing, and services. Sector...

India's RAC market faces compressor supply shortage and import delays, but long-term growth potential remains strong with PLI-driven localization.