RITES Limited has published the full transcript of its post-earnings conference call held on August 5, 2026, discussing financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The disclosure, filed on August 11, 2026, under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations 2015, offers detailed insights into management’s strategy for export growth, order book composition, and margin preservation in a competitive landscape.

The filing was submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited by Nikhil Agarwal, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer (Membership No.: A42626). The transcript reveals that Chairman & Managing Director Rahul Mithal, along with Director (Technical) Dr. Deepak Tripathi, Director (Finance) Krishna Gopal Agarwal, and Director (Projects) Prem Singh Meena, addressed investor queries regarding revenue recognition timelines and operational efficiencies.

Key Financial and Operational Highlights

Export Revenue and Order Book Dynamics

Management highlighted a robust export pipeline, with the total RITES Videsh order book standing at ₹2,100 crore as of June 30, 2026. Of this, approximately ₹1,775 crore pertains to rolling stock exports. A significant portion, roughly ₹900 crore, is allocated to the Bangladesh order for 200 coaches. Mithal clarified that revenue recognition for the first rake will occur in Q2 FY27, as the entire group of coaches is shipped together after final approvals. The company aims to achieve at least ₹300 crore in export revenue for FY27, with exports expected to contribute roughly 15% of total revenue this year.

Regarding locomotive exports, Mithal indicated potential deliveries to Mozambique by the end of FY27, though clarity on exact timelines is expected by Q2. Additionally, RITES secured an order for nine locomotives to South Africa worth $35 million in July 2026, which is pending formal agreement signing before inclusion in the official order book.

Margin Pressures and Cost Management

Addressing concerns over declining margins, Mithal identified three primary stressors: the shift towards competitive bidding (accounting for 70% of fresh orders), rising travel costs, and impending pay revisions. Despite these headwinds, management reaffirmed its "red lines" for consolidated margins: EBITDA margins will not fall below 20%, and PAT margins will remain above 15%. In Q1 FY27, the company maintained 22% EBITDA and 17% PAT margins sequentially.

Employee costs saw a year-on-year increase of approximately ₹10 crore in Q1, driven by a net addition of 450 employees, bringing total strength from 2,675 to 3,125. This hiring spree was strategic, aimed at building bench strength for execution. Mithal projected an 8-10% increase in employee costs for FY28, primarily due to pay revisions rather than just headcount growth.

Order Book Composition and Future Outlook

The total order book stands at ₹9,450 crore, with Turnkey projects comprising about 50% (₹4,700 crore). While Turnkey orders offer lower margins (1.5-2%), they are strategically accepted to maintain client relationships. The remaining 50% consists of project consultancy and export rolling stock consultancy. Management expects the current order book to be largely executed by FY28, necessitating continuous fresh order acquisition at a rate of one per quarter to sustain growth.

What the Numbers Show

The transcript underscores a strategic pivot towards high-volume, competitive orders, which inherently compresses margins but boosts top-line visibility. The 50-50 split between low-margin Turnkey and higher-margin consultancy/export segments suggests a balanced risk approach. With employee costs rising 8-10% in FY28 and travel expenses under pressure, maintaining the 20% EBITDA floor will require disciplined execution and prioritization of high-margin projects within the existing ₹9,450 crore book.

RITES has provided comprehensive guidance during its latest concall, reaffirming its target to achieve a ₹10,000 crore order book despite heavy execution activity. The company also aims to maintain consolidated EBITDA margins above 20% and PAT margins above 15% annually, signalling confidence in its financial discipline and long-term growth trajectory.

Order Book and Margin Targets

RITES remains on track to achieve its ₹10,000 crore order book target, with management emphasising that execution momentum will be sustained even amid a heavy delivery pipeline. The company has set clear profitability benchmarks, targeting consolidated EBITDA margins above 20% and PAT margins above 15% on an annual basis. Management also reiterated its full fiscal year guidance for substantial year-over-year growth, noting that Q1 FY27 saw 9-10% revenue growth and 8% bottom-line growth, with sequential execution improvement expected going forward.

The following table summarises the key guidance parameters shared during the concall:

Export Revenue and International Project Updates

For the current fiscal year, management expects export revenue to be at least ₹300 crore. The RITES Videsh order book stood at ₹2,100 crore as of June 30, with the division aiming to account for roughly 15% of total revenue. On specific international projects, the 200 coaches for Bangladesh will not be completed this fiscal year, with completion now expected by early Q2 or Q3 of the next fiscal year. Meanwhile, Mozambique locomotive deliveries may begin by the end of the current fiscal year, with management indicating that more clarity will be available by the end of Q2.

Cost Outlook and Order Mix

On the cost front, employee expenses are expected to increase by 8% to 10% in FY28, primarily driven by an impending pay revision. Management also noted that the proportion of turnkey projects in the order book is not expected to exceed 50% over time, reflecting a deliberate approach to maintaining a balanced and manageable project mix.

Key Takeaways

• RITES is on track to achieve a ₹10,000 crore order book despite heavy execution activity.
• The company targets consolidated EBITDA margins above 20% and PAT margins above 15% annually.
• Export revenue for the current fiscal year is expected to be at least ₹300 crore, with RITES Videsh targeting ~15% of total revenue.
• Bangladesh coach deliveries are delayed to early Q2 or Q3 of the next fiscal year; Mozambique locomotive deliveries may begin by end of current FY.
• Employee costs are expected to rise 8-10% in FY28 due to an impending pay revision.