Maruti Suzuki's Q3FY18 net profit disappoints analysts, rises by 3% yoy

Auto-giant Maruti Suzuki missed analysts' estimate in terms of bottom-line, as the company posted a gradual rise of nearly 3% year-on-year in net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.

Maruti recorded net profit of Rs 1,799 crore in Q3, which was up 2.96% from Rs 1.747.2 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

However, Q3FY18 net profit declined by 27.58% as against Rs 2,484.3 crore in the preceding quarter.

Maruti for PAT, blamed the increase in effective tax rates and lower non-operating income due to mark-to-market impact on the invested surplus, compared to last year.

A Bloomberg poll of analysts estimated Maruti’s bottom-line to be at Rs 2,010 crore in Q3FY18.

On the other hand, revenue from operations came in at Rs 19,283.2 crore in Q3, which was almost muted from Rs 19,196 crore in the similar period of previous year - as growth rate was just 0.45%.

Just like PAT, Maruti’s Q3FY18 revenue failed to create magic, as it decreased by 11.42% if compared to Rs 21,768.2 crore in the preceding quarter.

Interestingly, top-line of Maruti was in line with Bloomberg’s analysts - as they believed revenue to stand at Rs 19,240 crore in Q3FY18.

Operating profit (EBITDA) was at Rs 3,037.8 crore in Q3, rising by 22.1% over the same period previous year on account of higher sales volume, cost reduction efforts, lower sales promotion expenses and forex benefit, partially offset by adverse commodity prices.

During Q3FY18, a total of 431,112 vehicles were sold by Maruti, higher by 11.3% compared to 387,251 vehicles sold a year ago same period.

Sales in the domestic market stood at 400,586 units, a growth of 12.4% from 356,503 units in Q3FY17. Exports were at 30,526 units, gradually down by 0.70% from 30,748 units in Q3FY17.

In domestic market, compact and Utility vehicle segment stole the limelight, by recording a whopping 27% yoy and 28.1% yoy growth respectively.

For the nine months period of FY18, net profit stood at Rs 5,839.7 crore up 3.6% yoy, while operating profit at Rs 9,046.5 crore growing by 16.4% yoy, and that of revenue st0od at Rs 60,828.8 crore higher by 7.63% yoy.

Meantime, total sales stood at 1,317,801 units in 9MFY18, witnessing growth of 14.2%yoy. Sales in the domestic market stood at 1,226,418 units a growth of 15.5% yoy. Exports were at 91,383 units.