Financials
ZMCL reports almost fivefold profit for Q1; DNA loss lower
BENGALURU: The Essel group’s television news broadcasting arm Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported a 386.3 per cent growth (almost five fold) in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the period ended 30 June 2018 (Q1 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared (year-on-year comparison, y-o-y) to the corresponding year ago quarter (Q1 2018, year ago quarter). The company’s consolidated operating revenue increased 35.4 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2019 at Rs 154.69 crore as compared to Rs 114.45 crore in the year ago quarter. Total income increased 31.1 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2019 to Rs 158.39 crore from Rs 120.83 crore in Q1 2018.
It may be noted that ZMCL has sold its entire equity stake in Ez-Mall Online Ltd to a related party at an aggregate consideration of Rs. 8.60 crore. Accordingly, Ez-Mall Online Ltd ceased to be a subsidiary of ZMCL with effect from 30 June 2018 and gain on disposal of investments of approximately Rs 41.21 crore has been recognised during the quarter and shown as exceptional items.
PAT in Q1 2019 was Rs 35.89 crore as compared to Rs 7.38 crore in Q1 2018. Even if one were to neglect the benefit of exceptional items the company’s consolidated profit before tax (PBT) came to a healthy Rs 21.49 crore during the quarter under review as compared to Rs 12.57 crore in Q1 2018. ZMCL reported operating EBITDA at Rs 35.88 crore in Q1 2019, which was 42.3 per cent more than the Rs 25.22 crore in Q1 2018.
Also, during the quarter, ZMCL completed acquisition of balance 40 per cent equity stake in its subsidiary Zee Akaash News Private Ltd (ZANPL). Accordingly, ZANPL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the company with effect from 1 June, 2018 and figures for the current quarter are not comparable with previous periods presented in the consolidated financial results says the company.
In its earnings release ZMCL reported 34.5 percent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue for Q 2019 at Rs 136.97 crore from Rs 101.87 crore. Subscription revenue increased 1 per cent y-o-y to Rs 11.1 crore in Q1 2019 from Rs 10.99 crore. Other sales and services quadrupled (increased by 3.16 times) in Q1 2019 to Rs 6.62 crore from Rs 1.59 core in the corresponding year ago quarter.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL
ZMCL’s total expenditure in Q1 2019 increased 28.5 per cent y-o-y to Rs 134.93 crore from Rs 102.72 crore. Employee benefits expense in the quarter under review increased 18.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 34.81 crore from Rs 29.40 crore in Q 2019. The company’s marketing promotion and distribution expenses in Q1 2019 increased 53.8 per cent to Rs 20.14 crore from Rs 13.9 crore in the year ago quarter.
Advertising and publicity expenses in the year declined 1.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 3.05 crore from Rs 3.09 crore. Operating costs in Q1 2019 increased 28.6 per cent to Rs 25.49 crore from Rs 19.83 crore. Other expenses in Q1 2019 increased 40.2 per cent to Rs 37.74 crore from Rs 26.95 crore in Q1 2018.
Lower loss reported by Diligent Media Limited (DNA)
In a separate filing with the bourses, Diligent Media Corporation Ltd (Diligent Media), which comprises of the divested print media business of ZMCL and the amalgamation of Mediavest and Pri-Media into itself, reported lower loss for Q1 2019 at Rs 14.52 crore as compared to Rs 44.49 crore for Q1 2018. The company’s revenue from operations increased marginally by 2.2 per cent y-o-y in Q 2019 to Rs 26.02 crore from Rs 25.45 crore in the year ago quarter. The company owns the broadsheet newspaper DNA (Daily News and Analysis)
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.
