MARUTI

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd rose more than 4% today, bouncing back from the previous session’s losses after the company reported a mixed set of Q4 results. The stock was trading around ₹13,365 in early trade, up 3.67%, after closing at ₹12,890 on Tuesday, down 2.51%. The strong buying momentum in Maruti Suzuki also lifted the Nifty Auto index by 2.6%, making it the top-performing sector on the NSE. Other key auto stocks, including Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Eicher Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra, gained between 2.5% and 3.5%. Maruti Suzuki reported a 6.5% YoY decline in consolidated net profit to ₹3,659 crore for the fourth quarter, even as revenue surged 28.2% to ₹52,462.5 crore. Profitability was impacted by higher raw material costs, lower other income, and a higher tax outgo, which offset the benefits of strong volume growth. On a standalone basis, net profit fell 7%, while margins remained largely stable at 11.7%. On the operational front, the company achieved its highest-ever quarterly sales volumes, with exports reaching record levels. Net sales also crossed the ₹50,000 crore mark for the first time. However, despite healthy growth in operating profit, overall profitability remained under pressure due to elevated commodity costs and lower non-operating income.