HPL Electric and Power Ltd, manufacturing a diverse portfolio of electric equipment, presents its financial results for the quarter ended 31st December 2020.
| Consolidated Performance Highlights |
| Q3FY21 | Q3FY20 | Q2FY21 | 9MFY21 | 9MFY20 | |
| Revenue from Operations | 244.0 | 244.1 | 227.1 | 567.3 | 764.4 |
| EBITDA | 34.7 | 32.6 | 34.0 | 75.3 | 97.9 |
| EBITDA Margin % | 14.2% | 13.4% | 15.0% | 13.3% | 12.8% |
| Cash PAT | 19.6 | 15.8 | 18.2 | 29.2 | 47.5 |
Consumer segment (excluding meters) continued to grow at a robust pace of 25% YoY to Rs 135 Crores. The growth was primarily driven by the festive season, pick-up in the economic activity and improved consumer sentiment. The revenue share of the Consumer segment stood at 61% during the Q3FY21 compared to 44% in Q3FY20.
The metering business revenue witnessed a growth of 17% in Q3FY21 compared to Q2FY21. However, the performance during the quarter remained subdued as inspections remained lower due to COVID-19 related disruptions. As a result, metering revenue has been deferred to the forthcoming quarters. Meter dispatches are expected to gradually pick-up from Q4FY21.
Despite an increase in the raw material prices during the quarter, rationalization of overhead expenses helped the company to report an EBITDA of approx.. 34.7 crores (EBITDA Margin of 14.2%) in Q3 FY21, while Cash PAT increased by 24% YoY to approx. 19.6 crores.
Gautam Seth, Joint Managing Director, said: “The performance during the Q3FY21 was yet again underpinned by the robust performance of the consumer (B2C) segment, despite the subdued performance in the metering segment. This has helped us to get back to the pre-COVID level of revenue and EBITDA. The robust growth in the consumer segment was driven by healthy double-digit growth in the ‘Switchgear’, ‘Lighting’ and ‘Wires and Cables’ categories, which grew by 29%, 18% & 45% YoY, respectively. The metering segment fared well during the quarter sequentially, however, the overall performance remained subdued as dispatches have been deferred to forthcoming quarters due to the pandemic. Even though meter dispatches have remained slow in 9M FY21, we are expecting dispatches to gradually pick-up pace from Q4 FY21 onwards. At present, we have a robust order book of Rs 354 Crores boosted by smart meter orders, which comprise over a third of the total meter order book. This ensures us revenue visibility for the near-term. Further, looking ahead, we are optimistic about the long-term growth trajectory of the Consumer segment led by a pick-up in the economic activity, improved consumer sentiments and increased government funding. This is ably supported by our enhanced dealer and retail network, effective marketing strategies and product development efforts.
Our various cost rationalization initiatives have helped us to boost the EBITDA margins.
Looking beyond the short-term challenges in the meter segment, we are bullish about the opportunities in the smart metering space as both the public and private power distribution companies increasingly shift focus towards installing smart meters to replace conventional meters. We are very much focused on enhancing our smart meter technological base and become the market leader in the segment. We are expecting a large- scale requirement for smart metering solutions in the coming years and are fully capable and ready to meet the requirement of the industry with our best-in-class metering solutions. Overall, the company is confident of overcoming near-term challenges and create sustainable value for its stakeholder.”
