1. Opening Hook
Global markets are shaky, exports are sulking, and raw material prices are doing their own IPO every quarter.
So naturally, Steel Strips Wheels Ltd decided Q3 FY26 was the perfect time to grow revenues and annoy margin purists.
Revenue jumped, volumes moved, and management sounded calmâa little too calmâwhile EBITDA margins quietly slipped out the back door. Exports, once the darling child, didnât show up to the party. Domestic demand carried the show, but at a cost.
This concall wasnât about fireworks. It was about resilience, diversification, and hoping aluminium products grow faster than steel headaches.
Read on. The numbers look fine at first glanceâthen you read the footnotes. Things get interesting. đ
2. At a Glance
- Revenue up 23% YoY (Q3): Domestic demand said âI got this,â exports said âbusy, call later.â
- EBITDA up 8%: Growth showed up, margins didnât get the memo.
- EBITDA margin down 130 bps: Raw materials and export slowdown tag-teamed profitability.
- PAT down 5%: Accounting reality check after revenue euphoria.
- Volumes up 8%: More wheels rolled out, less money made per wheel.
3. Managementâs Key Commentary
âRevenue growth during the period was largely supported by domestic demand.â
(Translation: India saved the quarter; overseas markets were on vacation.)
âMargin pressures were primarily attributable
to slowdown in exports amid global uncertainties.â
(Translation: Exports are high-margin, and they disappeared at the worst possible time đ.)
âIncrease in raw material prices also impacted margins.â
(Translation: Steel prices continue to enjoy their personal bull run.)
âExports declined 31% in the quarter.â
(Translation: That hurt more than management is willing to admit.)
âWe are scaling aluminium knuckles and alloy wheel capacity.â
(Translation: Steel is mature; aluminium is the growth therapy đ.)
âCapex of ~âš150 crore incurred towards aluminium expansion.â
(Translation: Profits today are being reinvested so tomorrow hurts less.)
4. Numbers Decoded
| Metric | Q3 FY25 | Q3 FY26 | What Actually Happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (âš Cr) | 1,075 | 1,321 | Volumes + pricing helped, exports didnât |
| EBITDA (âš Cr) | 118 | 128 | Growth without margin joy |
| EBITDA Margin | 11.0% | 9.7% | Raw material tax unofficially applied |
| PAT (âš Cr) | 52 | 49 | Revenue rich, profit poor |
| Volumes (Lakh units) | 46 | 50 | More wheels, thinner spreads |
5. Analyst Questions (Decoded)
- Q: Why did margins

