Tata Steel, one of India’s leading steel producers, has reported a significant turnaround in its financial performance for the October-December quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24. The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 522.14 crore, marking a notable recovery from the net loss of Rs 2,501.95 crore in the same period the previous year. This positive development has been attributed to robust domestic demand, which has offset the weaknesses observed in the European market.
The turnaround comes after Tata Steel reported a net loss of Rs 6,511.16 crore in the previous quarter, primarily due to impairment charges. Despite challenges posed by higher coking coal costs, the steel industry has benefited from increased steel prices, fueled by substantial infrastructure spending.
However, the consolidated revenue from operations for the Tata Group company witnessed a 3 per cent decline to Rs 55,311.9 crore in the October-December quarter, compared to Rs 57,083.56 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Despite this decline, the company’s India segment reported a 2 per cent growth in quarterly revenue, reaching Rs 34,681.90 crore. The company’s India unit witnessed a notable increase in crude steel production, standing at 5.32 million tonnes, a 6 per cent rise both quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and year-on-year (YoY). The consistent strength in Indian steel demand allowed Tata Steel to achieve its ‘best-ever 3Q’ sales, with domestic deliveries reaching 4.88 million tonnes. The Industrial Products & Projects segment experienced a 5 per cent QoQ and six per cent YoY growth in deliveries, with the engineering sub-segment achieving its best-ever quarterly sales. The Automotive & Special Products segment also recorded positive results, with an 8 per cent QoQ increase and a substantial 22 per cent YoY growth in deliveries.
On the other hand, Tata Steel faced challenges in its European operations, witnessing a 12.5 per cent decline in revenue to Rs 18,141.97 crore. Tata Steel Netherlands reported a QoQ increase in liquid steel production to 1.17 million tonnes, while deliveries reached 1.29 million tonnes, up 5 per cent QoQ. The decision to shut down two blast furnaces in Port Talbot Steelworks in the UK was announced on January 19, potentially affecting up to 2,800 jobs. Despite these challenges, Tata Steel remains optimistic about its performance, riding on the wave of strong domestic demand and ongoing efforts to navigate industry dynamics effectively.
Opinion: Tata Steel’s turnaround in Q3 results showcases the company’s resilience and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. The focus on sustainable practices and proactive measures signal a positive outlook for the company’s growth in the evolving steel sector. Additionally, the favorable market response to the Q3 results, as evidenced by the positive momentum in Tata Steel shares, indicates investor confidence in the company’s future prospects. This development also aligns with Crisil’s predictions, anticipating the Indian steel sector’s third consecutive year of double-digit growth, estimated at 11-13 per cent year-on-year for the current fiscal year.