Monday, 9 February 2015

L&T Q3 profit slips 14.6%, cuts order flow guidance

Larsen and Toubro  (L&T) disappointed street on Monday with the third quarter profit falling 14.6 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,060 crore on standalone basis, dented by lower operating income, higher depreciation and interest costs. However, the profit was supported by other income of Rs 621.9 crore (up 43.7 percent Y-o-Y).
In Q3FY14, the profit was boosted by an exceptional gain of Rs 104.4 crore.
Net sales grew 4.2 percent to Rs 14,995 crore during October-December quarter from Rs 14,388 crore in same quarter last year, impacted by power, metallurgical & material handling and heavy engineering segments.
Operating profit dropped 6.3 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,569 crore and margin declined 110 basis points to 10.5 percent in the quarter gone by, which both were lower than expectations of Rs 1,826 crore and 11.4 percent, respectively. Depreciation cost increased 32.5 percent and interest cost jumped 72 percent Y-o-Y.
Consolidated net profit increased 9 percent to Rs 867 crore and revenue rose 9.7 percent to Rs 23,878 crore during the quarter. Analysts had expected profit of Rs 1,075 crore on revenue of Rs 22,850 crore. While addressing press conference, however, R Shankar Raman (chief financial officer) says L&T is working hard to maintain 10-15 percent revenue (consolidated) growth band for this year, adding there is no change in this revenue growth target.

Earlier in Q2, the company had slashed revenue growth guidance to 10-15 percent from 15 percent. According to him, roads, power and metallurgy segments will continue to drag down topline while transport, infra, water and renewables will drive topline going ahead.

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