Why Did Nelco’s Q1 Net Profit Plummet Over 60%?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nelco's net profit fell by 60.52% in Q1 FY26.
- Total expenses increased by 8.56% to Rs 67.05 crore.
- EBITDA declined by 36% YoY.
- Operating margin contracted to 10.4%.
- Revenue from operations slightly rose to Rs 74.79 crore.
Mumbai, July 14 (NationPress) Tata Group-backed Nelco Limited has reported a staggering decline in its consolidated net profit year-on-year (YoY) for the first quarter (Q1) of FY26. The company's profits have plummeted by 60.52%, amounting to Rs 1.80 crore, a decrease from Rs 4.56 crore in the same quarter last year (Q1 FY25).
Profit before tax (PBT) also faced a significant drop, declining by 60.70% to Rs 2.40 crore during this quarter, as noted in its stock exchange filing.
Total expenses surged by 8.56% to Rs 67.05 crore, up from Rs 61.76 crore a year prior, primarily driven by a 15.67% increase in stock-in-trade purchases, which reached Rs 6.42 crore.
Operating performance showed signs of strain as well, with EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) decreasing by 36% YoY to Rs 7.8 crore from Rs 12.2 crore in Q1 FY25.
This has led to a sharp contraction in the company's operating margin, which fell to 10.4% from 16.5%% in the same quarter last year.
Despite these challenges, the company's revenue from operations saw a slight uptick, rising to Rs 74.79 crore compared to Rs 74.08 crore the previous year.
Furthermore, total income increased marginally by 1.57% YoY to Rs 75.36 crore in Q1 FY26.
After the earnings report, Nelco's shares dropped 5.28% or Rs 50 to close at Rs 897 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
The stock has experienced a decline of over 20% in the last month and is down more than 40% from its recent peak of Rs 1,502.
Established in 1940 and a part of Tata Power, Nelco specializes in satellite-based communication services.
The company provides VSAT connectivity, Satcom project implementation, and integrated security and surveillance solutions for both enterprise and government clients.
Nelco holds essential licenses, including VSAT, ISP, and IFMC, catering to various sectors such as banking, oil and gas, education, and renewable energy.