Profit Tumble Amidst Operational Concerns
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) revealed a significant 5.2% decline in its net profit for the third quarter, ending December, with earnings falling to ₹219 crore from ₹231 crore in the same period last fiscal. This downturn accompanies a parallel 5.2% decrease in revenue, which settled at ₹2,221 crore.
EBITDA Plummets, Margin Squeezed
The company's operational performance also showed strain. Operating income, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), experienced a steep 79.2% quarter-on-quarter reduction, landing at ₹212 crore. Consequently, the EBITDA margin contracted sharply to 44.4%, indicating pressure on profitability from core operations.
Dividend Payout Signals Shareholder Commitment
Despite the financial headwinds, NHPC's board approved an interim dividend of ₹1.40 per equity share for the fiscal year 2026. This distribution is set to disburse approximately ₹1,968 crore to shareholders. The company has fixed February 10 as the record date for determining eligible shareholders for this payout. This follows previous dividend announcements, including a final dividend of ₹0.51 per share in August and interim dividends of ₹1.40 and ₹0.50 per share in February and August of 2024, respectively.
Market Reaction Cautious
The quarterly results were released after market hours on Wednesday. NHPC's stock closed marginally higher, up 0.01% at ₹78.49 on the BSE, slightly lagging the broader market's advance of 0.09% in the benchmark Nifty 50. Investors will be watching future project execution and operational efficiency to gauge the company's recovery trajectory.