Why Did SpiceJet’s Stock Plunge Over 5% Following Disappointing Q1 Results?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- SpiceJet reported a net loss of Rs 234 crore in Q1 FY26.
- Revenue fell 36% to Rs 1,059.88 crore.
- EBITDA loss stood at Rs 18 crore.
- Passenger Load Factor remained at 86%.
- Domestic brokerage Nuvama cut target price to Rs 40.
Mumbai, Sep 8 (NationPress) SpiceJet's stock experienced a decline of over 5 percent during intra-day trading on Monday, following the airline's release of disappointing earnings for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26 (Q1 FY26).
The budget airline reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 234 crore for the April-June quarter, marking a significant downturn from the net profit of Rs 158.18 crore achieved in the same quarter the previous year. On a standalone level, the net loss stood at Rs 235.08 crore.
SpiceJet’s operational revenue also faced a substantial decline, plummeting nearly 36 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 1,059.88 crore, in contrast to Rs 1,646.21 crore during the same period last fiscal year.
The airline attributed this downturn to several challenges, including geopolitical tensions with a neighboring country and restrictions in international airspace that negatively impacted demand for leisure travel.
Moreover, the airline encountered delays in returning grounded aircraft to service due to global supply chain disruptions and engine maintenance issues.
Ajay Singh, the Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, remarked that these results reflect the extraordinary hurdles faced by the aviation sector, highlighting the turbulence caused by geopolitical factors, restricted air routes, and supply chain interruptions.
Despite these challenges, Singh expressed optimism regarding the airline's resilience and ongoing efforts to enhance fleet reliability, reduce costs, and broaden its network.
He voiced confidence that India's rapidly expanding aviation and tourism sectors would facilitate a recovery in the upcoming quarters.
The airline also reported an EBITDA loss of Rs 18 crore in Q1 FY26, a stark contrast to the profit of Rs 402 crore recorded a year earlier.
Some operational metrics remained stable, with the Passenger Revenue per Available Seat Kilometer (PAX RASK) at Rs 4.74 and a Passenger Load Factor (PLF) of 86 percent.
Meanwhile, SpiceJet’s total expenses for the quarter decreased by 25 percent to Rs 1,435.04 crore, down from Rs 1,919.58 crore the previous year.
Following the results, domestic brokerage firm Nuvama revised its target price for SpiceJet down to Rs 40 from Rs 48, maintaining a 'Hold' rating. The brokerage noted the airline's Q1 performance was weaker than anticipated due to reduced capacity, modest load factors, and increased costs.