1. At a Glance
Black Box Ltd (formerly AGC Networks) is a global ICT solutions integrator that makes its money helping companies talk to each other, keep their data safe, and run their tech infrastructure — and occasionally advising them on how to do it better. With 86% of FY24 revenue fromSystem Integration, 12% fromTechnology Product Solutions, and 2% from consulting, it’s a service-heavy model that leans on deep client relationships.
The company operates in 35+ countries, with 77% of revenue from North America, and is backed by the Essar Group. It has a strong ROE (43% FY25), a cleaner balance sheet than in 2019, and a ₹470M order book. The challenge? Low growth in top line despite big-deal wins, and a P/E that’s already pricing in a lot of optimism.
2. Introduction
Founded in 1986 as Tata Telecom Pvt. Ltd., this company has gone through more rebrands and ownership changes than most telecom devices it used to manufacture. After stints with Avaya and now Essar, Black Box has pivoted from hardware manufacturing to being a one-stop shop for ICT solutions — Unified Comms, Data Centres, Cyber Security, and Digital Apps.
The 2019 acquisition of Black Box Corporation (US) was supposed to supercharge global presence. It did — but also brought in debt and a turnaround challenge. Fast forward to FY25, net debt is ~₹150 Cr, ROCE is 29.2%, and net profit guidance is ₹220–250 Cr. So far, the integration seems to
be working.
3. Business Model (What They Actually Sell)
System Integration (86% of FY24 revenue)
- Unified Communication
- Data Center & Edge IT
- Cyber Security
- Digital Solutions & Apps
- Managed Services & Support
Technology Product Solutions (12%)
- IT Infrastructure
- Specialty Networking
- Multimedia & KVM Switching
Consulting (~2%)
- Performance improvement
- Customer experience optimisation
Revenue is concentrated — top 10 customers = 47% of revenue, top 20 = 54%.
4. Financials Overview
Q1 FY26 vs Q1 FY25 vs Q4 FY25
| Metric | Q1 FY26 | Q1 FY25 | Q4 FY25 | YoY % | QoQ % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (₹ Cr) | 1,387 | 1,423 | 1,545 | -2.53% | -10.23% |
| EBITDA (₹ Cr) | 105 | 115 | 143 | -8.70% | -26.57% |
| EBITDA Margin | 8% | 8% | 9% | flat | -1ppt |
| PAT (₹ Cr) | 47.43 | 37 | 60 | 28.21% | -20.95% |
| EPS (₹) | 2.79 | 2.21 | 3.57 | — | — |
Comment:Margins are stable but not expanding. PAT drop QoQ due to seasonal weakness and forex delays mentioned in management commentary.
5. Valuation (Fair Value RANGE only)
Method 1: P/E Approach
- FY25 EPS: ₹12.71
- Reasonable ICT services P/E: 18–22x (given growth/margins)
