*MNCL Research: Diamond Power Infrastructure Q1FY27 Earnings call KTAs:*
*CMP: Rs 362 | Mcap: Rs 216bn | Rating: Not Covered*
*Strong Q1 Despite Heavy Monsoon*
Revenue stood at Rs 6,900mn (+129% YoY), EBITDA at Rs 770mn (+149%) and PAT at Rs 580mn (+191%), with EBITDA margin expanding ~91bps to 11.2%. Despite heavy Gujarat monsoon impacting MV cable installation, the company delivered broadly in line with its Rs 7,000mn internal target. Management indicated that normal weather could have added Rs 700-800mn to Q1 revenue. Q1 is seasonally the weakest quarter, with Q3/Q4 typically being the strongest.
*FY27/FY28 Growth Guidance Reiterated*
Management maintained FY27 revenue guidance of Rs 43-45bn and expects revenue to reach ~Rs 75bn in FY28 and ~Rs 100bn in FY29. The ramp-up is expected to be gradual, with Q2 improving sequentially and stronger acceleration in Q3/Q4, supported by seasonality, capacity commissioning, higher utilization and strong order visibility.
*Order Book at ~2x FY26 Revenue*
Order book stood at Rs 36.8bn as of 11 Aug 2026, nearly 2x FY26 revenue. The company has won Rs 10bn+ orders since April, including ~Rs 4bn in the last 6-7 days. Around Rs 28bn is targeted for execution in FY27, while ~Rs 845mn is scheduled for the following year. Management expects to enter FY28 with 50-60% of the next year's target already covered.
*MV/EHV Remains the Core Strategy*
Diamond Power is strategically moving towards higher-value MV and EHV cables, where qualification barriers, realizations and margins are significantly better than commoditized LV products. ~70-80% of its capacity is focused on MV/EHV. At the longer-term Rs 140bn potential revenue level, management expects 50-55% revenue from MV/EHV, 30-35% from conductors and 10-15% from LV cables.
*Capacity Expansion Underway*
The 4th rod mill is expected by Oct’26, additional MV cable line by Sep’26, and an existing CCV line by Mar-27. A 6th CCV line is targeted for commissioning by Dec-27. Two aluminium corrugation lines are being added with only Rs 170mn capex, allowing existing 33kV capacity to be shifted towards 66kV/132kV products. The new LV facility is expected to commence commercial production in FY28.
*Utilization Has Significant Headroom*
FY26 utilization was only ~34% for cables and ~20% for conductors. Management targets 50–52% cable and ~40% conductor utilization in FY27, rising to ~60% for both in FY28. Hence, substantial growth can be delivered through utilization improvement before requiring significant additional infrastructure.
*Data Centres Emerging as a Major Growth Engine*
Diamond already has a Rs 4,350mn data-centre cable order. Management targets Rs 7,500mn data-centre sales in FY27, Rs 10bn+ of data-centre orders by March-27 and ~Rs 15bn orders in FY28. Longer term, management expects data centres to contribute ~20% of revenue. STLS conductors are also benefiting indirectly as data centres require reconductoring of existing transmission lines.
*Undergrounding + Climate Resilience = Large MV Opportunity*
Gujarat's ROBUST project has a total project cost of Rs 220bn, of which ~Rs 160bn relates to 11kV/33kV MV cables. Diamond has already secured a 1,370km order through Rajesh Power. Management expects Rs 40-50bn of orders to be finalized in Gujarat by year-end. Similar opportunities are emerging across Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with 9–10 coastal states pursuing climate-resilience/undergrounding initiatives.
*AL-59 Replacing Traditional ACSR*
Management indicated that AL-59 now accounts for ~70% of the conductor market. Demand is primarily driven by new transmission lines, TBCB projects and state utilities. Diamond has stopped producing traditional ACSR as customers increasingly migrate towards AL-59.
*Margins Could Improve with Mix*
Management guided for 11–13% EBITDA margin. Q1 margin was already 12.3% despite metal-price and mix-related pressures. As MV/EHV contribution increases, margins should benefit from better product economics and operating leverage. Indicative EBITDA margins are 8–9% for LV cables, 9–10% for conductors, 14–15% for 11kV, ~16% for 33kV and 18–22% for 66kV+ cables.
*Operating Efficiency Improving*
Operating costs have declined from ~9% to 6.5% of revenue, with management targeting ~6%. Automation, IoT, AI, production monitoring and batch-level traceability are being implemented to increase output without a proportionate increase in manpower.
*Exports: Early Stage, But Q3/Q4 Inflection Expected*
Exports are currently negligible, but the company is building a dedicated export team and pursuing certifications for Europe, US, Middle East and Africa. Management expects meaningful export order inflows in Q3/Q4 FY27 and is targeting a Rs 5,000mn export order book by FY27-end, initially focused on conductors and MV cables.
*QIP Transforms Balance Sheet*
The company raised Rs 16.14bn through QIP. Net worth improved from negative Rs 9.22bn as of June-26 to positive ~Rs 6.91bn post-QIP. Around Rs 7.5bn is earmarked for working capital, Rs 1.3bn for LV expansion, Rs 740mn for balancing equipment, Rs 3.5bn for repayment of promoter unsecured debt and Rs 3.25bn for general corporate purposes.
*Minimal Debt Expected Till FY28*
The Rs 24bn FY26 long-term borrowing largely comprised Rs 19bn promoter-held bonds and a Rs 4bn promoter unsecured loan, the latter repaid post-QIP. The bonds carry only 0.01% coupon and are payable after 30 years, with an estimated NPV of ~Rs 470mn. Management expects no substantial debt until March-28, barring acquisitions or new strategic opportunities.
*Key Monitorables*
The key risks are execution of the sharp FY27 ramp-up, monsoon-related disruption, metal-price volatility, capacity commissioning and working-capital requirements. Export execution and certification progress will also be important monitorables.
Regards,
Mohit Surana | Akhil Khanvilkar
Monarch Networth Capital