The company stated that it reported best ever quarterly pre-sales performance of Rs 4,290 crore despite the inauspicious ‘Shradhh’ period falling in September this FY (vs October in FY24).

The firm sold land for Data Centre at Palava to a global data center major at Rs 120 million per acre, making the emergence of Palava as key data center hub. It also added four more projects in Pune and Bengaluru during the quarter with total GDV of Ra 5,500 crore.

Profit before tax stood at Rs 559.9 crore in September 2024 quarter, registering a growth of 111.12% on YoY basis.

Total expenses spiked 42.95% YoY to Rs 2,124.1 crore during the quarter. Cost of projects stood at Rs 1,572 crore (up 57.36% YoY) and employee benefits expense came in at Rs 140.3 (up 21.68% YoY).

Adjusted EBITDA jumped 74% to Rs 960 crore in Q2 of FY25 as against Rs 550 crore recorded in Q2 FY24. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 36.5% in Q2 FY25 as compared to 31.6% registered in the same period a year ago.

Abhishek Lodha, MD & CEO, Macrotech Developers, said, “What was heartening to note is that these strong pre-sales have come along side robust embedded EBITDA margins of 34% indicating a continued strong profitability in the underlying business. We have achieved Rs 83bn of pre-sales in H1 FY25 and with the festive season well underway, we are on track to achieve our guidance of Rs 175 bn pre-sales for FY25.

Early signs of festive season suggest robust demand for quality branded housing on the back of strong affordability and consumer optimism. Intense competition among mortgage providers coupled with the expected downward trajectory for rate cycle in the H2 FY25 will provide further tailwind for the sector especially in the mid-income segment where we have a sizeable presence.

Despite significant investments in business development in this quarter, our net debt stands at Rs 49bn (0.27x net debt/ equity) - well below our ceiling of 0.5x net debt/equity. Our exit cost of debt continues to go down and for Q2 FY25 stands at 8.9% (down about 20 bps for the quarter) - among the lowest in the industry.”

Macrotech Developers (Lodha Group) is among the largest real estate developer in India that delivers with scale since 1980s. Core business of Lodha Group is residential real estate development with a focus on affordable and mid-income housing.

The scrip rose 1.53% to close at Rs 1,081.50 on Friday, 25 October 2024.