Welspun Corp Ltd
Q1 FY25 Earnings Call Analysis
Industrial Products
revenue: Category 2margin: Category 3orderbook: Yesfundraise: No informationcapex: Yes
💰fundraise
Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?
- Welspun Corp is not planning to increase its debt despite ongoing CAPEX; it aims to remain a net debt positive company.
- The company currently has a strong cash position of around Rs. 1,000+ crores.
- CAPEX of Rs. 1,300 crores is planned over the next 2 years (FY26 and FY27), largely focused on O-PVC pipe capacity additions and facility upgrades, but this will be done in a calibrated manner without raising new debt.
- Net debt to EBITDA ratio is targeted to be maintained below 1, ensuring financial prudence during expansion.
- No mention of any new equity fundraising in the discussed period.
- Overall, Welspun plans to fund expansions and operations through internal accruals and existing cash balances, avoiding additional borrowing or equity dilution.
🏗️capex
Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?
- Comprehensive CAPEX of Rs. 1,300 crores planned over next 2 years focused largely on O-PVC pipes; Rs. 300 crores spent in FY25, Rs. 1,000 crores to be spent in FY26 and FY27.
- Six O-PVC production lines planned: 2 already operational at Bhopal, 2 more by end of FY25, and 2 by start of FY26; additional expansions in Raipur and South India.
- New coating facility to be set up at Bhopal to enhance pipe coating capabilities.
- Greenfield LSAW pipeline project in the USA approved, targeting US market with capex exceeding Rs. 1,000 crores.
- Total announced CAPEX of Rs. 5,500 crores over next 2 years, staggered and mostly back-end loaded.
- Capacity expansion for high-grade value-added steel and stainless steel pipes ongoing.
- Investment in Sintex water storage tanks and plastic pipe business to support premiumization and channel expansion.
- Dropped DRI capacity expansion to focus on high-priority value-added segments.
📊revenue
Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?
- Revenue guidance for FY2026 is approximately Rs. 17,500 crores, reflecting a 25% growth over FY25 actuals.
- EBITDA guidance for FY2026 is around Rs. 2,200 crores, an 18% increase over FY25.
- Line pipe sales volume for India and US reached about 850,000 tons in the recent year with strong order books: Rs. 19,550 crores providing visibility for over 2 years for US business and 1 year for India operations.
- Ongoing and planned capacity expansions for O-PVC pipes with six new lines expected, aiming for dominance in this segment.
- US market orders expected to sustain demand with potential growth due to import restrictions and LNG export expansion.
- Saudi Arabia market presents further growth with pipeline demand in water and Oil & Gas sectors.
- Continued strong outlook for DI pipes in India driven by Jal Jeevan Mission with expected 5-7 years of stable demand.
- Sustained focus on premiumization with Sintex contributing positively to growth.
📈margin
Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?
- Welspun Corp projects robust growth in FY26 with revenue guidance of Rs. 17,500 crores, a 25% increase over FY25.
- EBITDA guidance is Rs. 2,200 crores, up 18% from FY25, reflecting a focus on profitability rather than just top-line growth.
- Historical track record shows consistent achievement or surpassing of guidance with a 15% CAGR in EBITDA over prior years.
- The company maintains a strong ROCE target of over 20%, consistent for the past 3 years, emphasizing efficient capital use.
- Net debt to EBITDA ratio is targeted to remain below 1, ensuring financial stability despite ongoing CAPEX.
- Significant CAPEX of Rs. 1,300 crores planned over next 2 years focusing largely on O-PVC capacity expansion, expected to drive future earnings.
- US and Saudi markets offer strong demand outlooks with long-term order books providing visibility for next 2 to 5 years.
- O-PVC business aims for mid-teen EBITDA margins and is poised for growth with planned capacity expansions.
📋orderbook
Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?
- Consolidated order book stands at approximately Rs. 19,550 crores.
- This order book provides clear visibility of:
- More than 2 years of business operations in the US market.
- Almost 1 year of order visibility for India LSAW pipe, DI pipes, and SS pipe operations.
- DI pipes have a confirmed order book of over 350,000 tons, equivalent to about 1 year's orders.
- US orders consist of confirmed orders with fully hedged steel inventory, ensuring margin stability.
- The strong US order book and demand visibility extend for the next 3 to 5 years beyond the current 2 years of confirmed orders.
