Bharti Airtel's stock (BE) surged 3.2% to close at ₹1,360 on NSE after the company announced Q4 results.
In Q4 FY2024, the telecom giant posted revenue of ₹1.26 trn, net profit ₹45.3 bn, and a profit margin of 35%, beating analysts' average estimate of 30% by 5 percentage points.
Director Research at Marketsmith India Mayuresh Joshi said, "Bharti Airtel remains my preferred pick due to its resilient subscriber base and strategic 5G rollout, while Vodafone Idea's recent margin squeeze and debt load keep me wary." He also cautioned that the metals and Honasa sectors show high volatility and may not offer the same stability.
The broader telecom segment is up 6.5% YTD, outpacing the market index by 2.3% and eclipsing Vodafone Idea’s 1.7% decline.
Looking ahead, Bharti Airtel will present its FY2025 guidance on May 15, with analysts expecting a 10% revenue growth and a 5% rise in operating margin. Investors will also watch the upcoming quarterly earnings of Vodafone Idea and the corporate actions in the metals space.