Summary of earnings call for HFCL Ltd published on 01 Aug, 2025
HFCL Limited
Q1 FY26
Call date · July 25, 2025
1 · Management Commentary
Key Positives
- Strong resurgence in global demand for Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), with manufacturing facilities operating at optimal levels.
- Secured export orders worth approximately ₹300 crores and achieved export revenues of around ₹210 crores in Q1 FY26.
- Robust order book at ₹10,480 crore as of June 30, 2025 (up from ₹9,967 crore in Q4 FY25 and ₹6,776 crore in Q1 FY25).
- Expansion of IBR cable capacity from ~1.73 mn fkm to ~19.01 mn fkm per annum approved; total OFC capacity to rise from ~25.08 mn fkm to ~42.36 mn fkm per annum.
- Significant progress in defence vertical: landmark contract for thermal weapon sights for AK-203 rifles, L1 bidder in ₹90 crore tactical cables tender, and multiple DRDO technology tie-ups.
- Commercial deployment of indigenous MPLS routers; secured ₹650 crore router order under BharatNet Phase III.
- Repeat order worth ~₹175 crore for indigenous 5G networking equipment.
Key Negatives
- Revenue and profitability remain below prior year: Q1 FY26 revenue at ₹871.02 crore (vs ₹1,158.24 crore in Q1 FY25); PAT at ₹-29.30 crore (vs ₹110.65 crore in Q1 FY25).
- EBITDA margin compressed to 4.93% (vs 16.00% in Q1 FY25).
- No PLI (Production Linked Incentive) expected in FY26 due to not meeting indigenization targets.
- Promoter holding has declined over recent quarters.
Forward Guidance
- Capex of approximately ₹250 crores planned for FY26, with ₹130 crores allocated to IBR cable expansion.
- OFC business expected to more than double revenue in FY26 (target: ₹2,400 crores vs ₹1,200 crores in FY25), with over 50% from exports.
- Defence segment revenue expected at ₹200+ crores in FY26; production of new products (e.g., electronic fuzes, multimode hand grenades) to commence post successful trials.
- Passive Connectivity Solutions (PCS) revenue from telcos targeted at ₹450 crores in FY26; data center PCS revenue to ramp up from FY27.
- Overall company revenue growth guidance of 25% for FY26.
- BharatNet Phase III expected to contribute ₹800–1,000 crores revenue in FY26.
- Full OFC capacity expansion to be completed by June 2026; incremental revenue to accrue during FY26 itself.
- Continued focus on technology innovation, global partnerships, and professionalization of management.
2 · Q&A Highlights
Q 1 (Data Center & OFC Demand): How is HFCL positioned to capture the data center opportunity and what is the outlook for OFC demand and margins?
A (Management):
• Supplying high-capacity fiber optic cables and developing PCS for data centers; revenue from data center PCS to start in FY27.
• OFC demand has rebounded; capacity utilization at or near 100%.
• OFC margins have recovered to ~15% from July onwards, driven by higher demand and improved product mix.
Q 2 (Defence Business & Commercialization): What is the commercialization roadmap for new defence products and expected revenue contribution?
A (Management):
• Revenue from defence to start in Q2 FY26; thermal weapon sights and tactical cables already being supplied.
• Electronic fuzes to undergo DRDO testing in August; revenue could start from Q4 FY26 if successful.
• Defence revenue expected at ₹200+ crores in FY26; facility at Hosur operational for current requirements.
Q 3 (Order Book & Segmental Split): What is the composition of the order book by segment and export/defence share?
A (Management):
• Export order book above ₹400 crores; defence order book ~₹1,300 crores (12% of total).
• EPC (turnkey) orders at ₹6,400 crores; ~₹1,000–1,200 crores expected to be executed in FY26.
• OFC contributes ~65% of product revenue.
Q 4 (Capex, Fundraising & Promoter Holding): What are the plans for capex, fundraise utilization, and promoter stake?
A (Management):
• Capex of ~₹250 crores for FY26, mainly for IBR cable and OFC expansion.
• ₹700 crores fundraise is only an enabling resolution; timing and quantum undecided.
• Promoter holding has reduced for personal/charitable reasons; still above 31%.
Q 5 (BharatNet & Routers): What is the expected revenue from BharatNet and status of indigenous routers?
A (Management):
• BharatNet Phase III to contribute ₹800–1,000 crores in FY26.
• Commercial deployment of routers underway; ₹650 crore order secured, with more expected.
Q 6 (Margins & Profitability): When will margins and profitability normalize?
A (Management):
• Margins have improved from July; OFC margins at ~15%.
• Q2 FY26 expected to be better than Q1; profitability to improve with higher utilization and revenue.
Q 7 (Succession Planning): What is the succession plan for management?
A (Management):
• Company to be run by professional CEOs and business heads; next generation to focus on strategy and governance.
Q 8 (PLI & Other Incentives): Is any PLI income expected in FY26?
A (Management):
• No PLI expected in FY26 due to not meeting indigenization targets.
3 · Other Key Numbers
- Q1 FY26 Revenue: ₹871.02 crore
- Q1 FY26 EBITDA: ₹42.93 crore
- Q1 FY26 EBITDA margin: 4.93%
- Q1 FY26 PAT: ₹-29.30 crore
- Q1 FY26 PAT margin: -3.36%
- Q1 FY26 Telecom product segment revenue: 66.35% of total revenue
- Export orders secured in Q1 FY26: ~₹300 crores
- Export revenue in Q1 FY26: ~₹210 crores
- Order book as of June 30, 2025: ₹10,480 crore
- OFC price realization: ₹850–900 per fiber km; bare fiber at ₹240–250 per km
- OFC business revenue target for FY26: ₹2,400 crores (vs ₹1,200 crores in FY25)
- Defence revenue target for FY26: ₹200+ crores
- Capex planned for FY26: ~₹250 crores
- EPC order book: ₹6,400 crores
- EPC revenue expected to be executed in FY26: ₹1,000–1,200 crores
- Passive Connectivity Solutions revenue target (telcos): ₹450 crores
- Promoter holding: >31%
- No PLI income expected in FY26
- Capacity expansion: IBR cable from ~1.73 mn fkm to ~19.01 mn fkm; total OFC from ~25.08 mn fkm to ~42.36 mn fkm per annum by June 2026
- Defence order book: ~₹1,300 crores
- Export order book: ~₹400 crores
- BharatNet Phase III order: ~₹5,000 crores; FY26 revenue contribution: ₹800–1,000 crores
- Delhi NCR factory: 5G FWA CPE and routers in production; ~₹600 crores supplied, another ₹200 crores to be supplied in coming weeks
- No PLI income expected in FY26 due to not meeting targets
- No participation in Exicom rights issue
Note: This is an AI generated summary of the earnings call. There may be inaccuracies in the summary. Please refer to the original transcript before making investment decisions.