Revenue Contraction Masks Margin Gains
The sell-off followed the announcement of third-quarter results that showed a significant revenue contraction. Revenue fell 31.7% year-on-year to ₹303.3 crore, a decline primarily attributed to the completion of a large order in the defence segment, which saw an 88% year-on-year degrowth.
Efficiency Drives Margin Expansion
Despite the revenue drop and a 3.3% decline in EBITDA to ₹27.3 crore, Cyient DLM managed to significantly improve its profitability metrics. EBITDA margins expanded to 9% in the third quarter, up from 6.3% in the year-ago period. This improvement was driven by a more favourable business mix, enhanced supply chain management, and operational efficiency gains.
Segmental Performance and Business Mix
The aerospace segment showed resilience with 12% growth, while dedicated efforts bolstered industrial and med-tech businesses, resulting in strong year-on-year expansion. Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) remained the largest revenue contributor. The 'box build' segment's share increased to 31% from 21% a year earlier, indicating a shift towards higher-value integrated solutions.
Cost Management and Financials
Normalised EBITDA adjusted for one-off merger and acquisition costs of ₹1.78 crore and a ₹1.64 crore impact from the new wage code. Finance costs decreased by 38% due to lower interest rates and reduced working capital loans. The effective tax rate, excluding one-offs, stood at 24.65%.
Market Reaction
Shares of Cyient DLM Ltd closed at ₹366.75 on the BSE, reflecting a 4.67% decrease, as investors weighed the revenue decline against the improved margins and the impact of one-off expenses.