Sportking India Limited ($SPORTKING)

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Sportking India Limited Q4 and FY '26 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Darshi Jain. Thank you, and over to you, ma'am.

Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Sportking India Limited Q4 and FY '26 Earnings Conference Call. Today on the call, we have Mr. Munish Avasthi, the Chairman and Managing Director; Mr. Sandeep Sachdeva, Chief Financial Officer; and Mr. Lovlesh Verma, the Company Secretary. I hope you have gone through our press release and the investor deck. A short disclaimer before we start this call. This call will contain some forward-looking statements, which may be based upon [Audio Gap] and expected [indiscernible] risks and uncertainties. With that, I would now like to hand over the conference call to Mr. Munish Avasthi, the Chairman and Managing Director, for his remarks. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Thank you so much. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you had an opportunity to go through our press release and investor deck. We are pleased to share that the company delivered a resilient performance despite a challenging environment [indiscernible] everything broadly remained stable while profitability improved. This growth was supported by better yarn realization and better demand for cotton yarn during the quarter. Now let me take you through what happened since our last con call. There were many things happened. First of all, the improved demand in almost all the geographies across the world and in all the segments that we make. The resurgence of China as a large importer of Cotton yarn, the share increased from 7% to 8% to almost 25% to 30% and they keep on buying. Renewed Bangladesh optimism after the elections in Bangladesh. Local demand on lagging for first few months is now leading the charge since March when the U.S. tariff went away. The rupee depreciation is helping to make Indian spinning more competitive. Indian cotton has finally regained its competitiveness after all value in international prices and soft things would be. Consolidation, which we have been talking since last 2 years, which happened in the last 3, 4 years across the world has now unlocked the real potential of spinning sector, and we expect to see this accelerating going forward. Though there are some headwinds as well. The macro climate is still a huge uncertainty because of multiple wars going on. Inflation forecasts are of higher inflation, which generally doesn't bode well for growth. Duty on cotton, though right now, not that relevant continues to be a deterrent. Looking ahead, we continue to see a robust demand after a long time from all the segments. Cotton spreads have reached almost 3-year high and are expanding. We are expecting to expand our margins for next 2, 3 quarters with these increasing spends and a good cost to CapEx. Now I would like you to give you an update on our various CapEx programs. The 40-megawatt roller power supplier will commence by the end of May is expected to save around INR 14 crores to INR 15 crores next year, this -- annually. We are also making strong progress on our greenfield expansion project of approximately INR 1,000 crores, which will enhance our spindle capacity by around 150,000 spindles. The land acquisition has been completed, advancing for machinery has been released and the construction activities are progressing as scheduled. This expansion will significantly strengthen our production capabilities, improve operational efficiency and position us to effectively cater to the growing demand. We expect the commercial operations of the project to commence in the third quarter of the current financial year. As part of our strategic growth plan, the Board has approved the acquisition of a majority stake in Marvel Dyers and Processors Private Limited, which will strengthen our processing capabilities and enhance our integrated operations. The Board has also approved the acquisition of the manufacturing facilities of Sobhagia Sales Private Limited on a slump sale basis and land and building on lease basis subject to definitive agreement and customary approvals. Looking ahead, we are confident of improved overall performance and this EU and U.K. FTA in the horizon, will provide further similar next year when the new facilities come up. Now we can go ahead with the question and -- Q&A.

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Bhavika Jain from Niveshaay Investments.

So first question on the new CapEx, which we are coming up in Q3. I wanted to understand that how we can expect the ramp-up of that capacity? Because looking at the current scenario, there has been a very huge demand coming from the China for the yarn. So how are we looking at this industry demand? And what are plans to cater it and to be a part of this demand tailwind. And the second question I have on the spread side, as you say that we expect that the pay will continue for 2 to 3 quarters. So I want to know the particular reason behind this spreads like increasing? And how confident we are that it's going to be sustainable going forward in 2 to 3 quarters? If you can give clarity on that.

Okay. So first of all, I'll go with the last question. So we have been confident about the threat because generally, we have exporting, we have a book for 90 days for our sales. So we are already through this quarter, almost half of the quarter. And for this quarter, our book is already bad. And in the next half of the quarter is also sold. So -- and looking at the current demand scenario, we foresee that this demand is going to be there going forward. And with the cotton we have already covered for these 3 to 6 months. So that's why we are so confident about the great to be there and maybe go a little higher from last quarter. And your first question was about the new capacity, right?

Yes.

So what did you want to know about any capacity?

I just want to understand that are we planning to ramp up quickly looking at the current demand for you? Or like what's our view how we are thinking of the upcoming [indiscernible].

So we are actually doing the best we can. So being a greenfield project I think we have -- we are exceeding our own internal expectations. And we are, of course, looking at the current scenario, we are also trying our best to get it as soon as possible. But it takes a little time construction and everything. So the time line which we have given is the one we are sticking to right now.

Okay. And just a follow-up on the spread side. I want to understand that [indiscernible] because maybe like you can correct me. The current demand area, which we are seeing is majorly due to the China -- like China is buying from India. So I want to understand that are we exporting to China or because as per my understanding, we export mainly to Bangladesh. So if you can give clarity what's the scenario on ground and how we are seeing in taking part of it?

So China -- so see, India makes almost 400,000 million kgs of yarn every month. So China imports just 30 million, 35 million out of that. So it's not that it is only China, which has caused this demand resurgence or spreads, which are there. The only thing is they came and they pick up the incremental capacities. And we -- for us, China is not that big. Our share in China. So as a country, the India's share is around, I think, since last for 5 months around, you can say, about 20%, 23%, 24%. But at Sportking, yes, of course, we have also increased our exports to China from almost 2%, 3% to maybe 10%, 12% in last quarter.

And on Bangladesh, right? Do we see any...

Bangladesh Continues to be our major -- the major place where we export. And it is -- as it was -- a little bit of share has been taken up by China, but the demand is still there. It's just because of lack of good that -- lack of production that we cannot give that we have to rearrange our priorities a little. But still Bangladesh continues to be our #1 market in export.

The next question is from the line of [indiscernible] from Unifi Capital.

Same question from the previous participant. I just want to understand that the data is better, your remarks on seeing China being a small portion of overall in gas production, that's fair. But if I look at historical data of India's exports to China, it has been fairly volatile, right? I think the numbers pre-COVID were probably much higher and then '22, it was much lower, '23 it was higher. And last couple of years, it was lower and last few months, you have been seeing the trend. So what factors would you ascribed for this volatility in general and ask. And what are the factors to watch out for that may sustain this incremental demand from China? That was my first question.

Yes. Good question. So as far as -- of course, you're right when you talk about China being a onetime partner. So that's why our share is always -- we are very certain respect in increasing our share to such a market. But what we are seeing different with China this time around is we see for the last 4, 5 years that Chinese domestic demand was faltering and we see our resurgence in their domestic demand, which is helping in increasing the demand for all kinds of yarns and not only [indiscernible] yarn, but all kinds of yarn. And I think some power with the U.S. on politically also is getting some share of business back to China. And another thing is China, I think cotton raw cotton, I think they have peaked in the production. So now they need to import at -- and for cotton, they have a very high duty that is 40% or some cotton. And so as an arbitrage, we then be by coal. So yes, you're right, you can never be sure of Chinese demand because it's not always there. But we see the things have changed, things are changing in China for the last 4, 5 years. it was grappling with its own economy, domestic volume, which I think has turned a corner. So that's what's giving us the confidence that this time, they will be there all the time.

Okay. Sure. That helps. And on the spreads part, you made comments that you have visibility of order book for a couple of quarters and you have inventory for maybe a couple of months. But say, beyond Q2, and I'm trying to just all year, just trying to improve my understanding [indiscernible] beyond 2 quarters when see India's new crop comps are a bit slower and then quarter prices, your procurement cost goes up. In that case, how will you ascribe your margins? What range one can consider?

Okay. So see, right now, you forget the quarter coverage because that is -- every company has its own policy. And we are not talking about the inventory losses or profits. But if you look at today's cotton prices, even then the trends are among the best, which we have had in the last 3 years. And going forward, see, generally in spinning April to September quarters are generally weak quarters. So -- and because there are many tailwinds from October to March, our overall productivity goes up because of less heat. There is a festive seasons coming up, then spring season orders from a Western world -- and the new harvest contains, which where the prices go down. So we don't -- we expect maybe not -- we don't have a crystal ball either, so we don't know what it will be, but we see it better than what we have been doing in the last 2, 3 years.

Sure. That helps. Last question. If I look at your international business breakup has been more or less somewhere around 50 percentage plus/minus 5%. Do you see that share changing in upcoming years? Or this sort of share is what one will continue to assume.

Data in export and domestic.

Yes.

Yes. We -- it's -- I think we have been in this ballpark for a long time. So I think we stick to that because -- and maybe with the new FTAs coming in and kicking in earnest next year. So maybe we see a much more bigger demand from India. So we are pretty flexible in wherever we see the opportunity ever.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Saransh Gupta from Swan Investments.

I had two queries. So I just wanted to understand like if you can us with what -- how will be forward integration that we have acquired through an sale and majority stake in [indiscernible] and garments, like how will that pan for -- how will that pan up for us going ahead?

So that is something -- so of course, we will be formalizing it very soon. And after that, it's a slow thing. So we are acquiring these businesses, and we have some plans, but they are long-term plans. So right now, for next 1 year, we just want to integrate and we want to see where all we can help each other. And the bigger plans we will share when once we go through the indication and maybe after 6 to 9 months.

So that would be great. Also sir, going ahead, like how do we see the business growing like we are adding around 40% of our current capacity in Phase 1 and then there is another phase that will come up. So we are at a good amount of capacity for spindles and we are also forward integrating. So do we see a step towards value-added products going ahead? Or like how will it.

Yes. See, the ultimate goal is that, that's why we are integrating this facility. But right now, in the next 12 to 18 months, it's this new capacity, the first phase, which we are putting is focused and integrating the existing -- integrating these new 2 acquisitions. And then I will take it forward. So we are working in all the fronts and we are looking at opportunities how we present and how the dynamic shift. But now we are in all the segments, and we are constantly exploring how we can expand in each segment.

Sir, I basically wanted to understand like from a 3- to 5-year perspective, like how do we see the business growing ahead. Is it from the yarn segment or there will be a good amount of contribution from the value-added products as we call like fabric or probably the idea or garment.

See, that's what I told you. That's the plan. That's why we are integrating because ultimately, it is not to acquire these small companies, we want to scale it up. But again, this is something which is in our plan. But how it fructifies is how we see it performing in next 1 year or 18 months. And then we will go as we see how well they are being integrated with us.

That's very helpful. Also sir, if you can help us with the spreads, like how did they move and like where are we right now?

How what moves, sorry?

Cotton yarn spread.

Cotton spread today is, I think, around more than $1 between the clean cost and the final yarn prices. So yes, it's -- so they have -- for last couple of years, they were at around $0.70, $0.65 to $0.70. So yes, they have improved significantly and [indiscernible] today. I think if it remains at $1 with the rupee depreciating, I think mills are happy.

0 The next question is from the line of Anil Sharma.

Congrats for the good set of numbers. Sir, my question is regarding inventory of the cotton, how much months inventory you are having, if you can share some guidance on that? And number two, how we think that in the days to come, how the EU and other FTAs will be affecting foresee regarding the?

So EU and U.K. FTAs, of course, have been announced, and they are being debated in their respective parliaments. And we hope U.K. at least to be active in next 2 to 3 months. You which we believe, which we hear from the government sources might take another 6 months. So we expect both the FTAs to be effective from -- within this -- by the end of this financial year. And about our cotton coverage, we don't really disclose our numbers. But the thing is like all good mills, we tend to cover our seasons cotton by the end of March. So -- and this is not something we do like we do this every year because you cannot secure quality cotton otherwise. So I think that's about it. I hope for the long term future of this industry, our industry is good as we see. Sorry? I think the future, it means medium-term future is good for our yarn and industry... Yes. I think the long-term future, I'm more excited about the long-term future with all these FTAs and the competiveness of Indian spinning and apparel industry going forward. The next question is from the line of Mahesh from Invest. As there is no response, the next question is from the line of Pikaainvest. The next question is from the line of Ahmed from Unifi Capital. Sir, 2 questions. Firstly, you answering previous participant question on cotton, I didn't get. You gave some time frame. If you can repeat that, please, if possible. cotton -- on your cotton coverage, you are answering question to previous participant and you gave certain time line of inventory. If you can explain that again, please? We generally don't comment on our cotton coverage. The only thing I said was that like all good companies, we tend to cover most of our cotton requirements for the year by the end of March. So that's about it. That's all I can say. Sure. And regarding your greenfield spindle capacity of 150,000 in what time frame post commercialization it can achieve optimal... I think the day we start commissioning, it should take 6 months from there where we can fully -- we can expect 97%, 98% utilization. So it will come in phases like that's how sped works. So from the day we commission, I think in 2 months, we'll start getting the first kilo of that. And every month, then we will be getting incrementally 15%, 16% of production. Okay. And what will be your thinking on overall industry supply per se? There have been a lot of commentary around seeing the unorganized players have winded down and so on and so forth. How would you judge the industry supply per se because only a few large companies are expanding capacity like you. So how would you judge overall Indian yarn competitive intensity and unorganized capacities? I think we have been seeing this since last 3, 4 years since the last boom after COVID that a lot of capacities in India, not only in India, across the world have shut down because of different reasons, because of financial problems, because of being obsolete technology, not modernizing on time. So I think this process is still going on. So this -- so we expect this process to go on, and we expect more consolidations happening, and we expect the good companies which are run efficiently to keep on growing. And we expect the people -- the companies -- because there's a lot of shift happening in technology and anything which is older than 20 years cannot survive in today's environment. So either you modernize or you shut down. Otherwise, it's very difficult to compete. So we expect either you modernize or you shut down. That is the motto which is happening for the last few years because the margins, though right now, we are well placed. But overall, we don't see the long-term margins are close to 15%. And with all this new old machinery, it's very difficult to sustain at those levels. Sure. And for first half, will it be fair to assume we do 15% plus margins based on your current visibility? We don't give any guidance, but yes, I'll be disappointed if we don't. The next question is from the line of Pramod from SRA Investments. Am I audible So I've got a few questions from my side. The first one was with regarding to the merger. So can you give us more color on the expected time line for the completion of the acquisition and give us some perspective on how Sports King India Limited margin is expected to grow in the -- after the acquisition? So the impact on -- the immediate impact on the margins will not be a lot because they are very small with our top line, we are expecting around INR 270 crores, INR 280 crores this financial year, the coming financial year. And these 2 companies will give us close to INR 200 crores in our top line. So we don't expect to really enhance our margins with these numbers. But yes, they are our road map for the future. They are, you can say, labs for our future expansions, which we need to do in downstream. So we expect to close this within this quarter in this calendar year at the most. Got it. And is it fair to assume that the potential operational synergy integration benefits or cost efficiency can influence the margin going forward? Yes, of course, definitely, the margins for these companies will definitely increase once the synergies are there. But as I said, the overall because these are 7% to 8% of our total turnover. So the impact on the total company will not be so huge within this year. Maybe once we start scaling those businesses up, then things will change. Got it, sir, it was clear picture. My next question was with regards to the overall industry. So just wanted to understand the overall textile industry and the yarn demand. So could you help us understand how the management views the demand cycle of yarn and including the key factors that can influence this fluctuation across the different phases of cycle? So right now, for last 3, 4 months, 3 months, we are seeing a continuous demand for almost all kinds of yarns. And we don't have a crystal ball, but the feeling as somebody who has been running these businesses for the last 30 years is that we see some structural changes which have happened, which are helping this time around, like the consolidation which have happened. So the demand -- a little bit of extra demand just crated the spreads. So that means that we have a lot of underlying potential in this business. So any meaningful increase in demand can really jack up the spreads. So I think personally, in India, after all these FTAs and all the talks, which are going on and we see a lot of potential. We see a lot of -- we see India the hub if we act right as the hub for garment manufacturing and fabric manufacturing going forward with -- as a substitute for China and overall stable policies, stable power, stable everything. The interest rates are pretty moderate when we compare it to across our competitors. So we see a lot of potential. It just adds that the downstream has to now pull up the stocks, which they are doing. I think a lot of capacities coming up in anticipation of these FAs. And we see a good bright future for the whole chain going forward. The next question is from the line of Pika Jain from Na Investments. Basically, I just want clarity on the capacity utilization in last call, management mentioned that they are at full utilization, like at 95% utilization. So just want to achieve that till we are not coming up with the -- like because it will take 3 quarters. So how we are seeing the top line getting the top line growth going forward for 2 to 3 quarters? Is it the margin -- is this a spread which is going to reflect or there will be a volume addition? Second, in this quarter, we did a 13% of EBITDA margin. Just want to understand that what led this margin? And are we expecting this to continue going forward? Okay. So your question was, first of all, about -- so we see the yarn prices, which were at around $2.70, let's say, in average for last quarter, maybe $2.80. So they have gone up now to anywhere close to $3.30. So we would see, of course, as we sell -- we always -- when it's going up, we always as a company, get it with a lag because we have a policy of a long-term sales book. So we expect top line to increase by 7% to 10% in the next 3 quarters because of the higher prices. Volume-wise, we don't see any increase in volume because we are already working at full capacity, whatever is optimal capacity, 95%, 96% -- and any new capacity will only reflect maybe in the last quarter or in the third quarter, maybe a little bit and a little bit more substantially from fourth quarter and fully from the next financial year. About the margins, we expect how these margins came about, of course, better spreads, these margins could have been higher, but we have some small provisions. So we expect the margins to expand meaningfully in the next 2, 3 quarters, looking at the spreads and our long book. If you can give me the range and we can expect the margins to be... We are looking at quarter-on- expanding by at least 15%, 20%... The next question is from the line of Krunal Shah from Enam Group. So first is on -- is there any update, sir, from the government in terms of imported cotton and the duties on the same... So that's the big in the fresh. Though right now, it doesn't mean a lot because Indian cotton is substantially cheaper than the international cotton. But of course, for the long-term health of this industry, this is one fight which we have to win. And -- but right now, the communication is going on. We have been meeting different ministries periodically, and they all understand the rationale behind it. And we expect to see something coming up in the next couple of months. We are just waiting because with the government, you can -- it's a one-way communication. You can always tell you -- tell them your problem, but they will tell us when they are ready for the solution. Right, right. And what we were hearing is that even before the cotton price hike in March, CCI pricing was being calibrated in line with the U.S. cotton prices. Is this observation true, sir? Yes. You are right on that, that CCI has been pretty efficient with -- and they were very textile industry supportive in their pricing. But the problem lies in when they are buying, when they sell, they are pretty good. But when they are buying that time, there's a problem. That is the time when there's a disconnect between the prices, international prices and Indian prices. That is from a period from October till February. Got it. Got it. So in terms of buying, how much would CCI be out of buying from India's total production of cotton... This year, they have bought 106 lakh bales out of projected production of around 310. So it is almost 33%, 34%. 33%. So that they raised the price in the market and hence, you also have to pay higher prices. That's the impact. Exactly. So whatever -- so the prices are pretty much close to MSP levels when the harvest comes. So the mills don't have an option but to buy from the market, whatever the prices might be. So that is when the problem comes. Right now, whatever the international prices are, so we will be much higher than the MSP. So right now, it looks good, but with international prices, you never know. Right. Absolute. -- sir, second question on this was in this merger of group company that we are planning. I was just seeing the financials that you reported in the press release. So group companies have seen a decline in revenue over the 2-year period from FY '23 to FY '25. What would be the reason for the same? And what would be FY '26 revenue numbers? So we were in the process of modernizing and out -- basically, we were reengineering those units. So they were like one of them was shut down for 3, 4 months because of that. And there were a lot of capacities which were reengine -- so yes, there was a decline in the marginal decline in the total revenue. But going ahead, we see a healthy increase in revenue by at least 20% to 25% in this financial year. So that you're talking about -- can you just share the FY '26 revenue numbers for these companies? '26 number will be, I think, similar, it will be flattish. Okay. And 20%, 25% from FY '27 onwards. That's the outlook. FY '27 now we expect both the companies to grow by 15% to 20% at least. Okay. Got it. And sir, that business, which is into dye or fabrics, that is only dye and not manufacturing the fabric, right? Just clarifying for... So we manufacture a lot of fabric in our company, and it gets tied in that company. So now most of the processes, we manufacture fabric also but only for in-house. So it is getting died in that company. The next question is from the line of Anil Sharma. Sir my question is regarding renewable energy investment that because as you said, we will be saving around INR 14 crores to INR 15 crores this year. how much we can increase what is any limit about that because it is very going forward also due to uncertainty, we are planning to invest more in this some color on this renewable energy and how much it will save in the years... So this is right now under Punjab policy, this is the most we can put under solar. So this is -- for this -- for our existing capacity, this is the highest we can go to. So this is 40 megawatt, which will be giving us around INR 7 crore unit every year at a price of INR 370. And for that, how much we will be saving? We'll be saving around I think INR around about INR 15 crores a year. Okay. And the next year also, this will be the same, I think. If we go for the expansion of our new capacity when it start, then I think it may be we can expand. Is it... So that -- in Odisha, anyway getting solar at a very lower price. So it won't be that beneficial to put a solar plant there. So we might put up a small one on our rooftop, but not ground solar, I think we won't need to put that. The next question is from the line of Yash Mehta from SK Capital. I got a few questions. So first, the fourth quarter witnessed a noticeable improvement in profitability and margin performance. So kindly explain the key factors that contributed to this expansion. And it will be really helpful to understand the relative impact of elements such as better product mix, lower material cost, operating leverage or any one-off benefits during the quarter? So as we have answered in my previous call and in my initial speech that it is the most important factor which has contributed and which is actually contributing demand has been robust for last 2, 3 months and it continues to be. So that is the single most important factor which has helped the margins to expand. Okay. Got it. And additionally, how should we view the sustainability of these margins going ahead? So we -- as I told previously also that we have a visibility for next 2 quarters. And then we see macro that the new FT is coming in and our new capacity is coming in. So we are pretty sure that we can maintain these margins and maybe expand... Okay. And there was a ForEx-related mark-to-market impact during the quarter, which affected the profitability also. So could you help me understand what's the company's hedging policy and whether ForEx volatility remains a material earnings risk going forward? So we don't -- whatever we sell, we book the same way. So we don't keep any risk in our books. So it is just that when March 31 closed, the dollar closed at the highest level, all-time high levels. So anything which was yet to be shipped or yet to be received was mark-to-market. So that's why though it is a notional entry, but that is required to be made. And the impact will be reversed in this quarter if the rupee doesn't depreciate much more than this. But it all depends upon it's an entry which is adjusted as per the last -- as the closing rate of dollar on the last day of the quarter. Ladies and gentlemen, we'll take that as the last question for the day. I now hand the conference over to the management for closing comments. Thank you so much, everyone. It's always good to have a connect with all of you, and see you in the next quarter. Thank you. Thank you. On behalf of -- so King India Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.