Maruti Suzuki Q2FY19: Japanese carmaker's profit plunges 10%; CFO sees pain from rupee in 2H

The largest passenger vehicle maker in India Maruti Suzuki witnessed a mixed second quarter result for FY19 (Q2FY19). The company had posted a net profit of Rs 2,240.4 crore, which declined by 9.82% compared to net profit of Rs 2,482.3 crore recorded in the corresponding period of previous year. However, Q2FY19 net profit surged by 13.42% from Rs 1,975.3 crore registered in Q1FY19. Also Maruti's result was better than what analysts had expected. A Bloomberg poll of experts had predicted Maruti to record net profit of Rs 2,000 crore in Q2FY19. 

 Maruti Suzuki CFO Ajay Seth revealed what role Indian currency may have going forward and how it will impact the company. He said, "Pain from rupee impact will mostly be in 2H."  

Going ahead, Maruti's revenue from operation increased 5.97% to Rs 22,433.2 crore in Q2FY19 compared to Rs 21,168.2 crore in Q2FY18. But the latest revenue was gradually down by 0.12% from Rs 22,459.4 crore in Q1FY19. Revenue also was slightly better in comparison to Bloomberg expectations of Rs 22,130 crore during Q2FY19. 

Maruti sold a total of 484,848 vehicles during the Quarter, lower by 1.5 per cent over the same period of the previous year. Sales in the domestic market stood at 455,400 units and exports were at 29,448 units. 

During the Quarter, Maruti  registered net sales of Rs. 21,551.9 crore, a growth of 0.5% over the same period last year. 

Operating profit was Rs 2710.1 crore, lower by 9.5 per cent over the same period previous year on account of increase in commodity prices, adverse foreign exchange movement and higher sales promotion expenses partially offset by cost reduction efforts. 

For six months period of FY19 (H1FY19), Maruti sold a total of 975,327 vehicles in H1, a growth of 10 per cent over the same period of the previous year. Sales in the domestic market stood at 919,240 units and exports were at 56,087 units. 

Net sales stood at Rs 43,362.6 crore in H1 up 12.4% over the same period previous year. 

Net profit in H1 (2018-19) stood at Rs 4,215.7 crore, up 4.3% compared to the same period last year. 

After trading on muted level, the share price of Maruti jumped to an intraday high of Rs 6,855.70 per piece the moment it announced the result, however, that shine was short lived, as the company fell to Rs 6,647.95 per piece almost in few seconds. 

However, at around 14:42 hours, the share price of Maruti is trading at Rs 6,728.95 per piece down by Rs 39.60 or 0.59% on BSE.