Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

Aster DM Healthcare Ltd / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aster-dm-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23662:1" rel="noopener">Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN)</a> reported double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA in Q2FY26, led by substantial recovery in Kerala, strong growth in international revenue, and better case mix.</li>
<li>In Q2FY26, Kerala delivered its highest-ever quarterly revenue of INR6B, growing 24% increase over Q4 FY25. Profitability improved sharply, with EBITDA margins expanding to 26.8% from 22.3% in Q4FY25.</li>
<li>Since our initiation of Aster DM as ‘2025 High Conviction’ idea in last November, shares rose ~55%. Main investment thesis of margin improvement still holds good.</li>
</ul>



Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN) reported double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA in Q2FY26, led by substantial recovery in Kerala, strong growth in international revenue, and better case mix.
In Q2FY26, Kerala delivered its highest-ever quarterly revenue of INR6B, growing 24% increase over Q4 FY25. Profitability improved sharply, with EBITDA margins expanding to 26.8% from 22.3% in Q4FY25.
Since our initiation of Aster DM as ‘2025 High Conviction’ idea in last November, shares rose ~55%. Main investment thesis of margin improvement still holds good.


2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Stable Q2 Show on Continued Business Recovery

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Takeda has dropped AstraZeneca-partnered antibody drug candidate from its pipeline. Eisai and Merck are closing late-stage trial of Lenvima plus Keytruda in hepatocellular carcinoma on disappointing result.</li>
<li>Wuxi AppTec sharpens CRDMO business by selling its China-based clinical research subsidiaries. FDA has designated Celltrion’s Stoboclo and Osenvelt as interchangeable biosimilars to the reference products Prolia and Xgeva, respectively.</li>
<li>CSL is delaying demerger of CSL Seqirus ‘to maximise shareholder value.’ PharmaEssentia has filed for the additional indication of Besremi for Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) with the FDA.</li>
</ul>


Takeda has dropped AstraZeneca-partnered antibody drug candidate from its pipeline. Eisai and Merck are closing late-stage trial of Lenvima plus Keytruda in hepatocellular carcinoma on disappointing result.
Wuxi AppTec sharpens CRDMO business by selling its China-based clinical research subsidiaries. FDA has designated Celltrion’s Stoboclo and Osenvelt as interchangeable biosimilars to the reference products Prolia and Xgeva, respectively.
CSL is delaying demerger of CSL Seqirus ‘to maximise shareholder value.’ PharmaEssentia has filed for the additional indication of Besremi for Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) with the FDA.


APAC Healthcare Weekly (November 2) – Takeda, Eisai, Wuxi AppTec, Celltrion, CSL, PharmaEssentia

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>SEBI has approved IHH Healthcare’s open offer for acquisition of up to 26% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fortis-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:881:1" rel="noopener">Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN)</a>. If materializes, this should uplift IHH’s holding in Fortis to 57%.</li>
<li>In 2018, Fortis' original open offer price was INR170 per share, and the offer size was INR33B. Currently, Fortis share is trading at INR1,054, up more than 6x since 2018.</li>
<li>IHH will make appropriate announcement ‘in a timely manner’, which should provide clarity on open offer pricing. Unless an attractive revised price is announced, the shareholders acceptance will be limited.</li>
</ul>


SEBI has approved IHH Healthcare’s open offer for acquisition of up to 26% stake in Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN). If materializes, this should uplift IHH’s holding in Fortis to 57%.
In 2018, Fortis' original open offer price was INR170 per share, and the offer size was INR33B. Currently, Fortis share is trading at INR1,054, up more than 6x since 2018.
IHH will make appropriate announcement ‘in a timely manner’, which should provide clarity on open offer pricing. Unless an attractive revised price is announced, the shareholders acceptance will be limited.


Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN): Indian Regulators Cleared Long-Awaited Open Offer of IHH

Market & Forensics Analyst, Beat the Street

Nimish Maheshwari

Market & Forensics Analyst

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.

Read Business Not Stock Prices

<ul>
<li>The Indian hospital sector is entering an aggressive expansion phase with top hospitals adding 32% to their bed base by FY27E, supported by brownfield and stronger return ratios.</li>
<li>With medical tourism offering 67–91% cost arbitrage versus global peers and insurance penetration gradually deepening, hospitals are positioned to capture both domestic and international demand profitably.</li>
<li>From being seen as defensive and “boring,” hospitals are transforming into high-growth, cash-generating businesses. Robust balance sheets and rising ARPOBs suggest that hospital chains are entering a golden growth cycle.</li>
</ul>


The Indian hospital sector is entering an aggressive expansion phase with top hospitals adding 32% to their bed base by FY27E, supported by brownfield and stronger return ratios.
With medical tourism offering 67–91% cost arbitrage versus global peers and insurance penetration gradually deepening, hospitals are positioned to capture both domestic and international demand profitably.
From being seen as defensive and “boring,” hospitals are transforming into high-growth, cash-generating businesses. Robust balance sheets and rising ARPOBs suggest that hospital chains are entering a golden growth cycle.


Thematic Report on Indian Hospitals - Boring but Beautiful?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aster-dm-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23662:1" rel="noopener">Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN)</a> reported 8% revenue growth in Q1FY26, driven by a 14% rise in ARPOB and 4% reduction in ALOS. EBITDA margin expanded 230bps to 20.0%.</li>
<li>Kerala revenue grew 5% as compared with 4% decline in Q4FY25, driven by 6% QoQ increase in-patient volumes and 200 bps QoQ increase in occupancy, reflecting early signs of recovery.</li>
<li>Q1FY26 results ensure that the momentum is back. With strong base business, proposed merger with QCIL, and expansion plan, Aster DM is well-positioned for 20%+ revenue growth through FY28.</li>
</ul>



Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN) reported 8% revenue growth in Q1FY26, driven by a 14% rise in ARPOB and 4% reduction in ALOS. EBITDA margin expanded 230bps to 20.0%.
Kerala revenue grew 5% as compared with 4% decline in Q4FY25, driven by 6% QoQ increase in-patient volumes and 200 bps QoQ increase in occupancy, reflecting early signs of recovery.
Q1FY26 results ensure that the momentum is back. With strong base business, proposed merger with QCIL, and expansion plan, Aster DM is well-positioned for 20%+ revenue growth through FY28.


2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Starts FY26 On High Note; Announces New Hospital

India

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Limited provides hospital services. The Hospital offers medical and surgical, renal and cardiac sciences, oncology, orthopaedics, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and other health care services. Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences serves patients in India.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS IN)

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS IN)

2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Stable Q2 Show on Continued Business Recovery

Aster DM reported double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth in Q2FY26, led by substantial recovery in Kerala and better case mix. Kerala delivered its...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (November 2) – Takeda, Eisai, Wuxi AppTec, Celltrion, CSL, PharmaEssentia

Takeda and Eisai witnessed clinical trials setback. Wuxi AppTec is selling China-based CRO subsidiaries. CSL is delaying demerger of CSL Seqirus....

Tina Banerjee

Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN): Indian Regulators Cleared Long-Awaited Open Offer of IHH

SEBI has approved IHH Healthcare’s open offer for acquisition of up to 26% stake in Fortis Healthcare. If materializes, this should uplift IHH’s...

Tina Banerjee

Thematic Report on Indian Hospitals - Boring but Beautiful?

Indian hospitals are aggressively expanding, with strong growth potential driven by medical tourism and insurance penetration, transforming into...

Nimish Maheshwari

2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Starts FY26 On High Note; Announces New Hospital

Aster DM reported 8% revenue growth in Q1FY26, driven by increased ARPOB and reduced ALOS. Strong performance indicates momentum is back, with...

Tina Banerjee

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Stable Q2 Show on Continued Business Recovery

Aster DM reported double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth in Q2FY26, led by substantial recovery in Kerala and better case mix. Kerala delivered its...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (November 2) – Takeda, Eisai, Wuxi AppTec, Celltrion, CSL, PharmaEssentia

Takeda and Eisai witnessed clinical trials setback. Wuxi AppTec is selling China-based CRO subsidiaries. CSL is delaying demerger of CSL Seqirus....

Tina Banerjee

Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN): Indian Regulators Cleared Long-Awaited Open Offer of IHH

SEBI has approved IHH Healthcare’s open offer for acquisition of up to 26% stake in Fortis Healthcare. If materializes, this should uplift IHH’s...

Tina Banerjee

Thematic Report on Indian Hospitals - Boring but Beautiful?

​Indian hospitals are aggressively expanding, with strong growth potential driven by medical tourism and insurance penetration, transforming into...

Nimish Maheshwari

2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Starts FY26 On High Note; Announces New Hospital

​Aster DM reported 8% revenue growth in Q1FY26, driven by increased ARPOB and reduced ALOS. Strong performance indicates momentum is back, with...

Tina Banerjee

Indian hospitals are aggressively expanding, with strong growth potential driven by medical tourism and insurance penetration, transforming into...

Aster DM reported 8% revenue growth in Q1FY26, driven by increased ARPOB and reduced ALOS. Strong performance indicates momentum is back, with...