CEAT Ltd has fixed Friday, July 31, 2026, as the record date to determine shareholder eligibility for a final dividend of ₹35 per equity share. The dividend, amounting to 350% of the face value of ₹10 each, pertains to the financial year ended March 31, 2026, and is subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The 67th AGM is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, at 3.00 pm IST via Video Conferencing or Other Audio-Visual Means. The meeting will be conducted in compliance with the Companies Act, 2013, and relevant circulars issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Record Date and Dividend Details

Pursuant to Regulation 42 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the record date has been set to identify members eligible for the dividend. The payment will be made within 30 days from the date of declaration, subject to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), to those members whose names appear in the Register of Members or the Register of Beneficial Owners as on the record date.

Tax Deduction at Source

The declared dividend will be subject to TDS at applicable rates. Shareholders have been advised to refer to the TDS guidance and document submission process available on the company's website. Requisite documents for the application of appropriate TDS rates must be submitted on or before Friday, July 31, 2026.

CEAT reported a 22% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to ₹4,318 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, while profitability faced significant pressure due to rising raw material costs. The tyre manufacturer's net profit for the quarter stood at ₹4 crore, a sharp decline from ₹112 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Despite the top-line growth, operating margins contracted, with EBITDA margins settling at 8.56% compared to 10.94% in Q1FY26. The results have drawn mixed reactions from institutional analysts, with diverging views on the near-term recovery trajectory. The company has also made the transcript of its earnings call held on July 17, 2026, available on its website.

Financial Performance at a Glance

The following table summarises CEAT's key consolidated financial metrics for Q1FY27 compared to the same quarter last year:

*EBITDA is calculated as earnings before finance costs, tax expenses, depreciation and amortisation expenses, exceptional items and other income.

Revenue Growth Contrasts with Profit Decline

CEAT's consolidated revenue grew substantially on a year-on-year basis, rising to ₹4,318 crore from ₹3,529 crore. This growth was driven by healthy demand across segments and high-capacity utilisation. However, the company's consolidated net profit declined sharply to ₹4 crore from ₹112 crore in the year-ago period. This divergence between revenue growth and profit performance points to a significant increase in costs, primarily attributed to raw material cost inflation due to the continuing West Asia crisis.

EBITDA and Margin Contraction

At the operating level, CEAT's EBITDA declined to ₹369 crore from ₹386 crore in the same quarter last year. The EBITDA margin contracted to 8.56% from 10.94% on a year-on-year basis. The margin compression, despite higher revenues, suggests that cost pressures outpaced the benefits of increased sales volumes and the calibrated price increases implemented by the company.

Analyst Views: Nomura vs. Kotak

The Q1FY27 results have prompted contrasting assessments from institutional brokerages. The following table outlines the key positions taken by Nomura and Kotak Institutional Equities:

Nomura maintains a Buy rating with a target price of ₹4,266, acknowledging that Q1FY27 EBITDA missed estimates but expressing confidence that price hikes are expected to drive margin recovery in the second half of FY27. The brokerage also highlights CEAT's premium segment focus, export growth momentum, attractive valuations, and an expected 16% EBITDA CAGR over FY25–29 as key supports for its positive outlook.

Kotak Institutional Equities, in contrast, retains a Reduce rating with a target price of ₹3,350. The brokerage notes that Q1FY27 EBITDA missed its estimates by 13%, driven by weak performance in both the India business and Camso operations. Kotak expects profitability to remain under pressure in Q2 amid raw material and currency headwinds, and flags ongoing Camso integration risks as an additional concern, even as it acknowledges steady domestic execution.

Strategic Developments

The Board of Directors has approved a proposed capital expenditure of about ₹1,205 crore to add approximately 53,000 tyres per day of capacity, expected by the end of FY2031. This investment will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and debt. Additionally, the board approved the re-appointment of M/s. B S R & Co. LLP as the Statutory Auditors for a second consecutive term of five years, subject to shareholder approval.

Key Highlights

• Revenue increased to ₹4,318 crore from ₹3,529 crore YoY
• Net Profit declined sharply to ₹4 crore from ₹112 crore YoY
• EBITDA Margin contracted to 8.56% from 10.94% YoY
• Capex of ₹1,205 crore approved for capacity expansion
• Nomura maintains Buy with target price of ₹4,266; expects margin recovery in 2HFY27
• Kotak maintains Reduce with target price of ₹3,350; flags Q2 headwinds and Camso risks