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Bajaj Auto revs up Q3 with steady profits despite one-off speed bumps
MUMBAI: Bajaj Auto kept its engine humming in the December quarter, even if a few speed bumps slowed the ride. The two-wheeler and three-wheeler major reported a standalone net profit of Rs 2,503 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, broadly steady compared to the previous quarter and up from Rs 2,109 crore a year ago.
For Bajaj Auto Limited, Q3FY26 was a story of volume-led growth tempered by exceptional costs. Total revenue from operations rose to Rs 15,220 crore, compared with Rs 12,807 crore in the year-ago quarter, supported by stronger sales across motorcycles, three-wheelers and exports. Vehicle sales stood at 1.34 million units during the quarter, up from 1.22 million units in Q3FY25.
Profit before tax came in at Rs 3,327 crore, after accounting for exceptional items of Rs 61 crore linked to employee-related provisions. Excluding these one-offs, operating performance remained resilient, reflecting favourable product mix, cost discipline and steady demand in key markets.
Expenses climbed in line with scale. Raw material and component costs rose to Rs 9,868 crore, while other expenses increased to Rs 981 crore, reflecting higher operating activity. Even so, Bajaj Auto maintained strong margins, with basic earnings per share at Rs 89.7 for the quarter, compared with Rs 75.5 a year earlier.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, the company reported a profit of Rs 7,079 crore, up from Rs 6,102 crore in the corresponding period last year. Revenue from operations for the nine-month period stood at Rs 42,727 crore, compared with Rs 37,862 crore a year ago, underscoring consistent momentum through the fiscal.
Segment-wise, the automotive business remained the primary growth driver, delivering quarterly segment revenue of Rs 15,429 crore and profit before tax of Rs 3,212 crore. The financing segment also showed improvement, while the investments portfolio continued to provide stability to overall earnings.
While exceptional charges took some shine off headline profits, Bajaj Auto’s underlying performance points to a business still firmly in gear. With volumes holding up, margins intact and capital employed rising to nearly Rs 38,000 crore, the company appears well placed to navigate cost pressures and shifting demand in the quarters ahead.
In short, the ride may not have been flawless, but Bajaj Auto finished the quarter with enough torque to stay ahead of the pack.
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HCLTech delivers Rs 24 dividend as revenue hits Rs 1.3 lakh crore
IT giant delivers solid growth for shareholders with a major payout despite navigating global market shifts.
MUMBAI: HCLTech has clearly found the right code for financial success, proving that its operational strategy is more than just a quick fix for the digital age. The technology titan’s board of directors officially signed off on their year-end deliberations on 21 April 2026, revealing a set of annual results that suggest the company’s growth trajectory remains well-buffered against economic volatility.
The primary highlight for investors is the declaration of an interim dividend of Rs 24 per equity share (on a face value of Rs 2) for the 2026–27 financial year. Shareholders will not have to wait long for the processing of these funds; the record date is set for 25 April 2026, with payments scheduled to be completed by 5 May 2026. This follows a total dividend of Rs 54 per share already distributed during the 2025–26 fiscal year.
The consolidated annual results show a company operating at a high frequency across its global markets. Total revenue surged to Rs 130,144 crore for the year ended 31 March 2026, a significant jump from the Rs 117,055 crore recorded the previous year. Net profit remained robust at Rs 16,652 crore for the full year, despite a slight dip from Rs 17,399 crore seen in 2025. Quarterly performance also reflected steady momentum, with Q4 revenue reaching Rs 33,981 crore and net profit at Rs 4,490 crore, compared to Rs 30,246 crore in revenue during the same period last year.
The company’s diverse service portfolio played a balanced role in this financial performance. IT and Business Services remained the primary engine, contributing Rs 96,094 crore to annual revenue. Engineering and R&D Services showed strong growth, climbing to Rs 22,056 crore for the year, while HCL Software maintained a consistent stream of Rs 11,994 crore.
It was not entirely smooth scrolling, as the company had to account for specific financial hurdles. HCLTech faced a one-time impact of Rs 956 crore due to the New Labour Codes. Additionally, total expenses for the year rose to Rs 108,616 crore. This was largely driven by employee benefits, which reached Rs 74,143 crore, a figure that reflects the ongoing high costs of securing top-tier tech talent in a competitive market.
On the standalone front, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 10,024 crore for the year. However, the final quarter saw a standalone loss of Rs 900 crore, which the company attributed to a material Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (BAPA).
Despite the rise in costs, HCLTech’s financial “cache” remains substantial. Total assets grew to Rs 116,258 crore as of 31 March 2026, compared to Rs 105,544 crore a year earlier. The company’s cash and cash equivalents stood at a healthy Rs 8,195 crore at year-end, providing ample bandwidth for future investments and expansion.
As the global tech landscape continues to shift, HCLTech appears to have the right architecture to maintain its performance, ensuring that for its investors, the future remains highly user-friendly.
