Financials
FY-16: Zee Media board proposes 15 percent dividend
BENGALURU: The board of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), the erstwhile Zee News Limited has recommended payment of equity dividend of Re. 0.15/- per equity share of Re. 1/- each (equivalent to 15 percent on the paid up equity capital), to the equity shareholders for the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). Despite almost flat standalone (up by 0.9 percent) revenue in FY-16 as compared to FY-15, the company has reported more than triple the stand alone profit at Rs 18.75 crore (4.9 percent PAT margin) as compared to Rs 6.17 crore (1.6 percent margin). The company has reported a drop in expenses for the current year as compared to the previous year.
ZMCL reported standalone total income from operations (revenue, TIO) of Rs 383.61 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 380.33 crore in FY-15.
Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore
(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.
The ZMCL board also took on record the resignation of Subhash Chandra as director and non-executive chairman of the company with effect from May 24, 2016; and
The ZMCL boards has, based on recommendations of nomination and remuneration committee, approved appointment of R K Arora, CEO as an additional director and upon such appointment, his appointment as an executive director & CEO of the Company for a period of 3 years with effect from May 24, 2016.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL
On a consolidated basis, TIO declined marginally by 0.3 percent to Rs 542.91 crore in the current fiscal from Rs 544.33 crore in FY-15. The company reported consolidated profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 2.87 crore in the current year as compared to a consolidated loss before tax of Rs 55.51 crore in FY-15.
Revenue from ZMCL’s Television segment in FY-16 increased 3 percent to Rs 434.59 crore from Rs 422.12 crore in FY-15. ZMCL’s Television segment reported EBIDTA of Rs 79.99 crore in the current year as compared to Rs 59.57 crore in the previous year.
Revenue from the print segment declined 24.4 percent to Rs 108.53 crore in FY-16 from Rs 143.62 crore in FY-15. Print segment reported an operating loss of Rs 0.2 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 21.41 crore in FY-15.
ZMCL’s advertising revenue in FY-16 increased 1.8 percent to 401.15 crore from Rs 393.88 crore in FY-15. Advertising revenue from existing television channels in FY-16 increased 1.3 percent to Rs 302.12 crore as compared to Rs 296.74 crore in FY-15. Advertising revenue from new channels in FY-16 more than doubled (2.02 times) to Rs 29.71 crore from Rs 13.81 crore in FY-15.
Subscription revenue in the current year declined 9.8 percent to Rs 102.39 crore from Rs 113.54 crore in the previous year. Other sales and services revenue in FY-16 increased 6.7 percent to Rs 39.37 crore as compared to Rs 36.91 crore in FY-15.
Total consolidated expense in FY-16 declined 8.1 percent to Rs 465.12 crore from Rs 506.17 crore.
Cost of goods and operations in FY-16 declined 15.8 percent to Rs 132.87 crore from Rs 157.90 crore. Employee cost in the current year declined 8.3 percent to Rs 147.35 crore from Rs 160.66 crore in FY-15. Other expenses declined 1.4 percent to Rs 184.90 crore in FY-15 from Rs 187.61 crore in the previous year.
Company speak
ZMCL executive director and CEO RK Arora said: “The Indian economy continues to outperform other major economies of the world. Forecast for a good monsoon season is expected to further fuel the growth. With the macroeconomic environment promising a bright future, the media and entertainment industry is expected to use the emerging opportunities – increased ad spends – to chart a robust growth path. We at ZMCL have adopted a three pronged approach for innovation and growth. For our advertisers, we are constantly bringing out new innovations to maximize their return on investment. For our audience, our endeavor is to provide differentiated, innovative, and positive news content which cuts through the morass of the market. For our shareholders, we are constantly striving to use technology and enhance processes to establish industry benchmarks. Our significantly improved profit margins point towards the success we have achieved in our endeavours.”
MUMBAI: It’s time to brief the markets: Page Industries is showing that even when regulations tighten, it can still keep its footing in the innerwear business. The Bengaluru-based apparel major has reported its financials for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, delivering a performance that remains steady and well put together.
The company’s top line showed plenty of elasticity this quarter. Revenue from operations stretched to Rs 1,38,675.71 lakhs, a healthy jump from the Rs 1,29,085.82 lakhs reported in the preceding quarter. Compared to the same period last year, which stood at Rs 1,31,305.10 lakhs, it’s clear the brand’s grip on the market isn’t loosening. Total income for the quarter, including other finance gains, reached a comfortable Rs 1,39,919.03 lakhs.
However, it wasn’t all smooth silk. The Government of India’s new unified Labour Codes, covering everything from wages to social security, officially kicked in on 21 November 2025. This regulatory shift forced Page Industries to account for a one-time “exceptional item” cost of Rs 3,500.42 lakhs to cover incremental employee benefits and related obligations. Despite this Rs 35-crore legislative snag, the underlying business remained robust. Profit before tax stood at Rs 25,625.35 lakhs after the exceptional hit, and without that one-off cost, the figure would have been a more muscular Rs 29,125.77 lakhs. Net profit for the quarter came in at Rs 18,953.64 lakhs.
Total expenses rose to Rs 1,10,793.26 lakhs, driven largely by raw material consumption of Rs 30,162.65 lakhs and employee benefits of Rs 23,310.66 lakhs. Even so, the company’s operational strength ensured the bottom line remained firmly stitched together.
For shareholders, the news is particularly “fitting.” The Board has declared a third interim dividend for 2025-26 of Rs 125 per equity share. The record date has been set for 11 February 2026, with the payment scheduled on or before 6 March 2026. This follows two previous interim dividends of Rs 150 and Rs 125 declared earlier in the financial year, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sharing the spoils of its success.
Looking at the nine-month stretch ending December 2025, Page Industries has amassed total income of Rs 4,04,090.59 lakhs, with total comprehensive income of Rs 58,231.49 lakhs. While the basic earnings per share for the quarter dipped slightly to Rs 169.93, compared to Rs 183.48 in the same quarter last year, the year-to-date EPS remains a solid Rs 524.57.
Auditors at S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP have given the results a “limited review” thumbs up, reporting no material misstatements. It seems that, as far as Page Industries is concerned, the business remains as well-constructed as its famous Jockey briefs.
