HPL Electric & Power Limited Receives Credit Rating Upgrade to 'CRISIL A+/Stable'
CRISIL Ratings upgraded HPL Electric & Power Limited's long-term rating to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' from 'CRISIL A/Stable' on Rs 1614 crore bank facilities, while reaffirming short-term rating at 'CRISIL A1'. The upgrade reflects improved business risk profile driven by steady revenue growth, with income expected to exceed Rs 1800 crore in fiscal 2026 from Rs 1700 crore in fiscal 2025. Smart meters now contribute 56% of revenue compared to 39% in fiscal 2022, supporting margin improvement to 15-16% in fiscal 2026.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
HPL Electric & Power Limited has received a significant credit rating upgrade from CRISIL Ratings Limited, with its long-term bank loan facilities upgraded to 'CRISIL A+/Stable' from 'CRISIL A/Stable'. The company announced this development through a regulatory filing dated April 16, 2026, stating that it received the rating communication on April 15, 2026.
Rating Upgrade Details
The rating action covers total bank loan facilities worth Rs 1614 crore, with the upgrade reflecting CRISIL's expectation of continued improvement in the company's overall business risk profile.
| Rating Category: | Previous Rating | New Rating | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Term Rating: | CRISIL A/Stable | CRISIL A+/Stable | Upgraded |
| Short Term Rating: | CRISIL A1 | CRISIL A1 | Reaffirmed |
| Total Facilities: | Rs 1614 crore | Rs 1614 crore | - |
Business Performance and Growth Drivers
The rating upgrade is primarily driven by steady revenue growth and improved business mix. Operating income is expected to grow steadily, with projections to exceed Rs 1800 crore in fiscal 2026 from Rs 1700 crore in fiscal 2025. The company achieved revenue of Rs 1291 crore in the first nine months of fiscal 2026 compared to Rs 1208 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
The meters segment has emerged as a key growth driver, contributing approximately 56% of overall revenue during the first nine months of fiscal 2026, significantly up from 39% in fiscal 2022. This shift toward smart meters has positively impacted operating margins, which are expected to improve to 15-16% in fiscal 2026 from 15% in fiscal 2025.
Order Book and Market Position
HPL maintains a robust order book of Rs 3177 crore as of February 2026, representing 1.9 times the fiscal 2025 revenue and providing strong revenue visibility in the near term. The company holds an established market position in the metering segment with approximately 20% market share, supported by complete backward integration and quality controls.
| Financial Metric: | Fiscal 2026E | Fiscal 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Income: | >Rs 1800 crore | Rs 1700 crore | Growth expected |
| Operating Margin: | 15-16% | 15% | Improvement |
| Order Book (Feb 2026): | Rs 3177 crore | - | 1.9x FY25 revenue |
Financial Risk Profile Improvement
The company's financial metrics show continued strengthening. Networth is expected to reach Rs 1000-1050 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 917 crore a year ago, backed by healthy reserve accretion. The interest coverage ratio is projected to improve to nearly 3.2 times in fiscal 2026 from 2.8 times in fiscal 2025.
Working capital management has also improved, with Gross Current Assets (GCAs) expected to be around 320-325 days as of March 31, 2026, compared to 328 days in the previous year and 434 days as of March 31, 2021.
Strategic Focus Areas
HPL's strategic positioning in the smart meters segment aligns with government initiatives for smart meter installation. The company operates through a diversified product portfolio serving both B2B (meters) and B2C (lighting, switchgears, wires and cables) segments. The group maintains an established pan-India network of over 900 authorized dealers and distributors and over 80,000 retailers.
The rating agency noted that the company's three R&D facilities have enabled consistent innovation and product development, particularly in smart meters, positioning HPL to capitalize on the government's indication to install 25 crore smart meters over the medium term.
Historical Stock Returns for HPL Electric & Power
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1.48% | +2.18% | +35.34% | -15.63% | -11.16% | +675.10% |
How will HPL's 20% market share in metering evolve as competition intensifies in the government's 25 crore smart meter installation initiative?
What impact could potential changes in government smart meter policies or budget allocations have on HPL's revenue projections beyond fiscal 2026?
Will HPL's improved credit rating enable strategic acquisitions or capacity expansions to capture a larger share of the smart meter market?


































