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Shera Energy
Q3FY26 Metals February 20, 2026
Management Sentiment
8.0/10
Tailwinds
8.0/10
Headwinds
4.0/10
Business Performance Highlights
Executive Summary

Shera Energy delivered strong Q3 and 9M FY26 results with 30% revenue growth and 57% profit growth, driven by volume expansion (12% YoY) and improved margins (EBITDA up to 5.61% from 4.72%). Management is highly confident about the company's backward integration into copper cathode production in Zambia (starting commercial production in Q1 FY27) and forward integration into high-value products like EHV conductors and solar cables, projecting 40-60% revenue growth with margin improvements of 15-20% from Zambia operations alone.

Financial Performance

Shera Energy reported robust financial performance for 9M FY26. On a consolidated basis, total income increased 30% to Rs. 1,018 crores from Rs. 783 crores YoY. EBITDA jumped 55% to Rs. 56 crores with margins expanding to 5.61% from 4.72%. Profit before tax grew 57% to Rs. 34 crores, while net profit rose 57% to Rs. 25 crores. EPS improved 49% to Rs. 8.01 from Rs. 5.26. On a standalone basis, total income was Rs. 759 crores (up 21%), EBITDA Rs. 30 crores (up 44%), PBT Rs. 12 crores (up 38%), and net profit Rs. 9 crores (up 32%). Q3 FY26 showed strong sequential improvement with EBITDA margins at 6.24% vs 5.49% in Q2, driven by better product mix and operational efficiency. Volume growth was 12% YoY (20,401 MT vs 17,708 MT) despite a slight Q3 volume decline of 240 tons QoQ (6,618 MT vs 6,862 MT) due to abnormal copper price increases. Raw material consumption as percentage of sales improved to 88.94% in Q3 from 89.91% in Q2. Working capital management maintained at approximately 60 days inventory. Finance costs increased from Rs. 9 crores to Rs. 11.77 crores for 9M, reflecting investments in Zambia operations and working capital for 30% topline growth. The company maintains market capitalization of approximately Rs. 300 crores.

Revenue
Rs. 1,018 crores for 9M FY26 consolidated (Rs. 759 crores standalone); Q3 FY26: Rs. 390 crores
Revenue Growth
30% YoY consolidated for 9M; 21% YoY standalone; Q3 remained flat QoQ at ~Rs. 390 crores
Net Profit
Rs. 25 crores for 9M FY26 consolidated (Rs. 9 crores standalone)
Profit Growth
57% YoY consolidated; 32% YoY standalone
EBITDA Margin
5.61% for 9M FY26 vs 4.72% in 9M FY25; Q3 FY26: 6.24% vs Q2: 5.49% vs Q3 FY25: 4.51%
Management Commentary

Management, led by Chairman and MD Nasim Shaikh, demonstrated high confidence and strategic clarity throughout the call. The leadership emphasized Shera's unique positioning as one of the few Indian companies operating across all three base metals (copper, aluminum, brass) with full vertical integration from recycling to finished products. Management highlighted their flexible manufacturing capability to switch between metals based on market dynamics, positioning this as a competitive advantage over single-metal peers. The Chairman was particularly bullish on the Zambia backward integration project, stating expectations of 15-20% margin improvement and commercial production starting in Q1 FY27. He emphasized a methodical approach to the Zambia operations, prioritizing recovery optimization over rushing to production. On forward integration, management confirmed machines for EHV-grade CTC conductors have arrived and commissioning is underway. The tone was confident regarding growth prospects, with management projecting 40-60% revenue growth for FY27 and stating the company will 'multiply by 5-10x' capacity in Zambia over the next year. Management emphasized they are 'least interested in what peer industries are doing' and focus on customer needs and operational flexibility. They expressed strong confidence in securing funding for Rs. 300-500 crore expansion, citing good banking relationships and 30-year operational track record. The Chairman was technically detailed and transparent about challenges, including temporary production halts in Zambia for process optimization, indicating credible and realistic management.

Risks & Challenges Discussed

Several operational and market risks emerged from the discussion. The Zambia copper cathode project faces execution challenges, with management halting trial production after 8.6 tons to optimize recovery rates, indicating the hydrometallurgy technology is new to the company and requires a learning curve. Management expects multiple process modifications across 17-18 production stages before achieving stable commercial operations. Power supply reliability in Zambia remains a concern, though currently adequate during rainy season; the company is pursuing a solar JV with a Canadian firm to ensure 24x7 power. Q3 volumes declined 3.5% QoQ (240 tons) due to abnormal LME copper price increases from $10,000 to $14,000, demonstrating sensitivity to commodity price volatility. The company faces working capital intensity with 60-day inventory requirements due to multi-metal operations and recycling business, higher than single-product peers. Finance costs increased significantly (Rs. 11.77 crores vs Rs. 9 crores for 9M), reflecting leverage for expansion. Management indicated plans for equity dilution post-Q1 FY27 once Zambia operations stabilize, which could dilute existing shareholders. The business operates in a competitive market with established players like Precision, KEI, Hindalco, though management claims differentiation through multi-metal capability. Raw material price volatility across three metals creates margin pressure, though management demonstrated flexibility by shifting production mix (copper down 400 tons QoQ, aluminum up significantly in Q3). The company is still in SME exchange and awaiting migration to main board, limiting institutional participation currently.

Forward Guidance

Revenue Outlook: Management expects 40-60% revenue growth for FY27, projecting revenues to double within 2-3 years from current levels

Margin Outlook: Zambia backward integration expected to improve margins by 15-20%; forward integration (conductors, solar cables) to add another 7-10% margin improvement; EBITDA from Zambia operations targeted above 15%

Key Targets:

Key Takeaways from the Call
What Went Well
  • Strong margin expansion trajectory: EBITDA margins improved from 4.51% (Q3 FY25) to 5.49% (Q2 FY26) to 6.24% (Q3 FY26), demonstrating consistent improvement
  • Zambia copper cathode production successfully completed trial run of 8.6 tons (all sold immediately), validating market demand despite suboptimal quality
  • Management's 40-60% revenue growth guidance for FY27 with high confidence backed by specific capacity additions coming online
  • Multiple margin improvement levers: 15-20% from Zambia backward integration plus 7-10% from forward integration products
  • Rs. 60-70 crores already invested in forward integration machines that arrived and being commissioned, revenues starting Q2 FY27
  • Strong volume growth of 12% YoY (20,401 MT vs 17,708 MT) with capacity utilization improving to 79.58% from 73.65%
  • Unique competitive positioning across three base metals with switching flexibility (demonstrated by shifting from copper to aluminum in Q3 when copper prices spiked)
  • Profitability across all metrics accelerating faster than revenue: PAT up 57% vs revenue up 30% for 9M FY26
  • Strong copper demand environment: 'People pick copper like anything, copper is always in shortfall' per management
  • 30-year operational track record with strong banking relationships supporting Rs. 300-500 crore expansion plans
Areas of Concern
  • Zambia project execution risk: Production halted after trial run for process modifications, indicating technical challenges with new hydrometallurgy technology across 17-18 process stages
  • Q3 volume decline of 3.5% QoQ (240 tons) demonstrates vulnerability to commodity price volatility when LME copper spiked 40%
  • Significant equity dilution planned post-Q1 FY27 to fund Rs. 300-500 crore expansion, which will impact existing shareholder EPS
  • High working capital intensity: 60-day inventory requirement higher than peers, with raw materials still 88.94% of Q3 revenues
  • Finance costs increased 30% (Rs. 11.77 crores vs Rs. 9 crores for 9M), putting pressure on profitability as leverage increases
  • Zambia power supply concerns: Currently dependent on hydropower (adequate in rainy season only), requiring solar JV for reliability
  • Commercial production timeline slipping: Originally expected earlier, now pushed to March for trial run and Q1 FY27 for stable operations
  • Still on SME exchange limiting institutional investor participation, though migration process underway
  • Relatively small scale at Rs. 300 crore market cap attempting Rs. 300-500 crore expansion (1-1.7x current market cap)
  • Competitive pressure from established single-metal specialists like Precision, KEI who may have deeper expertise in specific products
Analyst Q&A Highlights
Q: Why did consolidated revenue remain flat Q3 vs Q2 despite copper/aluminum price increases, and was there volume decline?
A: "Management explained volume declined marginally by 240 tons (3.5%) from 6,862 MT in Q2 to 6,618 MT in Q3 due to abnormal copper price spike (LME from $10,000 to $14,000), but company maintained margins by shifting production mix toward aluminum. Raw material consumption as % of sales actually improved to 88.94% from 89.91%, demonstrating better efficiency."
Q: What is the timeline for Zambia commercial production and expected EBITDA margins?
A: "Second trial run will start in March 2025 after process modifications to improve recovery rates. Commercial production expected to stabilize by Q1 FY27. Phase 1 capacity is 1,200 MT annually with potential revenue of ~$12 million. Management expects EBITDA margins 'above 15%' from Zambia operations, vs current consolidated 5.61%."
Q: What is the plan for Rs. 300-500 crore CapEx for Zambia expansion and how will it be funded?
A: "Management will raise equity post-Q1 FY27 once operations stabilize, along with debt funding. Strong banking relationships and 30-year track record give confidence in securing funds. Expansion will scale Zambia capacity from 100 MT to 5,000 MT (5-10x) within next year. Timeline and specific funding mix will be shared in next annual call."
Q: What is FY27 growth guidance and margin outlook?
A: "Management expects 40-60% revenue growth for FY27 driven by: (1) natural 5-7% volume growth, (2) Rs. 60-70 crore forward integration projects starting production Q2 FY27, (3) Zambia operations contributing from Q1. Margins expected to improve with 15-20% from Zambia backward integration and 7-10% from forward integration products."
Q: How does multi-metal capability compare to single-metal focused peers, and what about inventory levels?
A: "Management emphasized strategic advantage of flexibility to switch between copper, aluminum, brass based on market conditions (demonstrated in Q3 when copper prices spiked). Inventory at 60 days is higher than single-product peers but necessary due to multi-metal recycling operations, melting, alloying, and diverse product mix. Not directly comparable to peers like Precision who only do winding wire without recycling/aluminum/brass."
Call Summary

The Q&A session revealed strong analyst interest in three main areas: (1) Zambia project execution and timeline, (2) funding plans for major expansion, and (3) competitive positioning versus peers. Analysts pressed on why revenue was flat Q3 vs Q2 despite price increases, which management addressed by explaining the volume-price tradeoff and production flexibility between metals. Multiple questions focused on working capital and inventory management, with management defending their 60-day inventory as necessary given multi-metal, vertically-integrated operations including recycling. Several analysts sought clarity on the Zambia timeline, with management being transparent about pausing production for optimization rather than rushing commercial operations. Concerns about equity dilution emerged regarding the Rs. 300-500 crore expansion plans. Analysts also questioned valuation and growth trajectory compared to peers, with management confidently stating they focus on customer needs rather than competitor actions. The tone from analysts was generally positive but probing, seeking to understand execution risks. Management responded with high confidence and technical detail, though deflected some specific forward-looking questions (like exact CapEx timeline) to future calls. Overall, analysts appear cautiously optimistic about the growth story but seeking more proof points on Zambia operations and concerned about dilution. Management's willingness to discuss challenges (like halting Zambia production for improvements) was viewed as credible, while their ambitious 40-60% growth guidance and margin improvement targets drew both interest and scrutiny.

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