"Exide’s profit dips 26% – Is EV the lifeline or just a lifeboat?

📊 Q2 FY26 Financial Highlights - Net Profit: ₹220.74 crore, down 25.9% YoY - Revenue: ₹4,178 crore, down 2.1% YoY, missing estimates - EBITDA: ₹395 crore, down 18.4% YoY; margin dropped to 9.4% from 11.3% - EPS: ₹2.02 vs ₹2.73 YoY ⚠️ Investor Watchouts - GST Rate Cut Impact: Mid-August GST cuts led to channel de-stocking and production cuts in August–September - Missed Estimates: All key metrics (revenue, profit, EBITDA) fell short of analyst expectations - Muted Sentiment: Despite a strong start to the quarter, momentum weakened due to policy disruptions 📈 Stock Impact & Technical Levels - Current Price: ₹381.00 (as of Nov 14, 2025) - Support Zone: ₹370–₹365 (recent lows and psychological level) - Resistance Zone: ₹395–₹400 (previous swing highs and round number resistance) - Short-Term View: Range-bound with cautious optimism; watch for breakout above ₹400 for bullish momentum 🚀 Future Growth & Strategic Planning - EV Battery Expansion: Exide continues to invest in lithium-ion battery manufacturing for EVs, a key long-term growth driver - Energy Storage Solutions: Focus on industrial and renewable energy storage segments - Q3 Rebound Expected: Management anticipates demand recovery post-GST transition and festive season restocking