Action Construction Equipment Ltd. (ACE)’s Q4 FY25 and FY25 earnings call.
🔑 Key Highlights (Standalone – FY25)
| Metric | FY25 | FY24 | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income | ₹3,420 Cr | ₹2,987 Cr (approx.) | +14.47% |
| EBITDA | ₹599 Cr | ₹479 Cr | +25% |
| EBITDA Margin | 17.52% | 16.04% | +148 bps |
| PBT | ₹543 Cr | ₹433 Cr | +25% |
| PBT Margin | 15.88% | 14.50% | +138 bps |
| PAT | ₹404 Cr | ₹328 Cr | +23% |
| PAT Margin | 11.80% | ~11% | Improved |
📌 Highest-ever sales and profits recorded. Long-term debt-free balance sheet. Final dividend: ₹2/share (100%).
📊 Q4 FY25 Performance
| Metric | Q4 FY25 | Q3 FY25 (Approx.) | Q4 FY24 (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income | ₹967.55 Cr | ₹903 Cr | ₹856.8 Cr |
| EBITDA | ₹171.26 Cr | – | – |
| EBITDA Margin | 17.7% | – | ~16% |
| PBT | ₹160 Cr | – | – |
| PAT | ₹118 Cr | – | – |
| PAT Margin | 12.24% | – | ~11% |
🔍 Strong quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year growth. Margins sustained at elevated levels due to better realizations, favorable product mix, and cost controls.
🏗 Segmental Performance (FY25)
1. Cranes, Material Handling, Construction Equipment
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Revenue: ₹3,090+ Cr
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Growth: +15.5% (volume & value)
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Profit: ₹564 Cr (+25.36%)
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EBIT Margin: 18.26% (vs. 15.58%)
🚀 This remains the core revenue and margin driver.
2. Agri Equipment
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Revenue: ₹230 Cr
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Margin: 3.73%
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Commentary: Still underperforming; contributes marginally to profits and lacks growth consistency.
🧭 Revenue Mix by Sector
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Manufacturing & Logistics: ~45%
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Construction & Infrastructure: ~35%
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Real Estate: ~12-13%
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Agriculture: ~7-8%
✅ ACE has successfully diversified over the years to create a countercyclical business model, reducing dependence on a single segment.
📈 Overall Commentary & Outlook
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The company has:
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Delivered industry-leading growth across segments.
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Maintained margin expansion, showing operational leverage.
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Remained debt-free and highly liquid.
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Built balanced exposure across cyclical and defensive sectors.
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💡 Challenges: Agri division remains a weak spot; though profitable, it lacks consistency and scale.
🧠 Investor Takeaway
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Positive:
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Excellent fundamentals and profitability.
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Industry outperformance and margin expansion.
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Diversified revenue streams.
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Strong return ratios expected to continue.
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Neutral/Watchlist:
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Agri division performance.
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Sustainability of margin at ~18% level.
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Valuation Note: After such a strong year, valuation re-rating may already be in progress. Check P/E vs. historical and peer group.
Overall Financial Outlook for FY26
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Revenue Guidance: Top-line growth of 14–15% YoY, a downward revision from the previous target of doubling FY23 revenue (~INR 2,200 Cr) by FY26.
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Updated Timeline: Management now expects to exceed INR 4,400 Cr by FY27, reflecting a slight delay but not a loss of confidence.
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EBITDA Margin: Expected to be maintained or slightly improve at 17–18%, supported by operating leverage, cost control, and product mix.
📉 Deviation from Earlier Guidance
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Original Ambition: Doubling FY23 revenue by FY26.
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Now Pushed to FY27, due to:
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Geopolitical & tariff-related uncertainties
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Transition to BS V (CEV 5) emission norms, causing a 5–12% price hike, harder to absorb in rental markets.
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Pre-buying in Q3/Q4 FY25 leading to slower Q1FY26.
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Temporary softness in inquiries/orders observed in the weeks prior to the call.
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Early monsoon onset affecting demand cycle.
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🔍 Demand & Margin Trends
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Q1FY26 softness seen as transitory, primarily rental/hiring segment being price-sensitive.
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Government capex visibility remains strong, with no payment delays or cutbacks.
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H2FY26 expected to be much stronger in volume and execution.
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Margins of 17–18% sustainable, with potential expansion in H2FY26 due to:
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Improved operating leverage
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Better pricing power
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Favorable product mix
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🏗️ Segmental Outlook :
1. Cranes
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51% market share in new-gen cranes, aiming for 3–4% increase in FY26.
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Likely driver of volume growth and margin stability.
2. Defense
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INR 420 Cr order for forklifts/telehandlers to start execution in Q3/Q4 FY26, spread over 3 years.
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FY26 contribution: ~4% of revenue.
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Medium-term target: 5% of revenue.
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Margins: In line with average; higher working capital due to 60–120 day payment cycles.
3. Exports
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FY25 was muted due to weak markets.
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FY26 target: 5–6% of revenue.
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Medium-term aim: 10–15% from defense + exports.
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Export margins are better than company average, but working capital is higher.
4. Agri Division
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Profitable, but inconsistent in growth.
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Management is actively focusing, but it remains non-core for momentum in FY26.
5. Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD)
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Expected DGTR ruling by June/July 2025, implementation likely by Q2 FY26.
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Potential to unlock INR 1,500–1,600 Cr of addressable market in truck/crawler cranes.
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ACE has existing capacity to tap this opportunity effectively.
🏭 Capex & Capacity
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FY26 Capex: INR 300–350 Cr, split into:
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INR 100 Cr for plant modernization
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INR 100 Cr for new crane facility (total project INR 250 Cr; balance in FY27)
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INR 150 Cr for land acquisition for long-term growth
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Capacity:
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13,200 cranes
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2,700 metal handlers
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1,800 construction equipment units
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Utilization at ~70%, with room to scale up to INR 5,100 Cr+ in revenue.
🚀 Strategic Initiatives
1. Action Construction Equipment Ltd’s share price is expected to reflect the company’s operational status by Q3FY26. With a projected FY26 revenue contribution of approximately INR 100 Cr, this venture is set to be a significant bottom-line earner due to its 50:50 JV structure. This lucrative opportunity boasts an annual size estimated at INR 300–400 Cr and promises margins comparable to the average ACE standards.
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Operational by Q3FY26.
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FY26 revenue contribution: ~INR 100 Cr (bottom-line only as 50:50 JV).
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Opportunity size: INR 300–400 Cr annually.
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Margins similar to ACE average.
2. E-Cranes
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Commercial sales to begin shortly (as of May 2025) post Ministry approvals.
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Positioned to tap into electric mobility trends in construction equipment.
3. White Labeling
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Started smaller scale white-label exports.
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Potential large-scale white-label deal under discussion, may conclude in next 3 months.
📊 Key Ratios & Strategic Takeaways
| Metric | FY26 Estimate |
|---|---|
| Revenue Growth | 14–15% YoY |
| Volume Growth (Implied) | >7–8% |
| EBITDA Margin | 17–18% |
| Capex | INR 300–350 Cr |
| Export + Defense Contribution | ~9–10% |
| Revenue Potential (Capacity) | INR 5,100+ Cr |
| ADD Market Opportunity | INR 1,500–1,600 Cr |
| JV Revenue (Kato) | ~INR 100 Cr |
🧭 Outlook Summary
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Short-term softness, especially in Q1FY26, is likely transient.
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H2FY26 to be stronger, with:
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Higher volumes
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Margin expansion
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Potential upward revision of guidance
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Medium-term prospects solid, backed by:
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Capacity headroom
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Defense + exports + JV scale-up
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ADD protection
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Electrification and product innovation
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