Today : Feb 13, 2025
Business
13 February 2025

Muthoot Finance Reports Record Q3 Earnings Amid Strong Gold Loan Growth

The company's net profit rises to ₹1,363 crore, showcasing resilience and strategic expansion.

Muthoot Finance, one of India’s leading providers of gold loans, has reported remarkable financial performance for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, showcasing significant growth across key metrics. The company's revenue from operations soared 36% year-on-year to ₹5,190 crore, up from ₹3,820 crore during the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, net profit climbed by 32.7% to ₹1,363 crore, compared to ₹1,027 crore reported last year.

Adding to these impressive results, Muthoot Finance recorded its highest-ever consolidated loan assets under management (AUM) at ₹1.11 lakh crore as of December 31, 2024. This marked a sequential increase of 7% and 34% year-on-year, driven primarily by its gold loan portfolio, which saw asset growth of ₹6,800 crore during the quarter.

Chairman George Jacob Muthoot attributed this financial success to favorable macroeconomic conditions and supportive government policies. He stated, “Amid favorable macroeconomic indicators, the Union Budget’s positive tax reform announcements are expected to start a consumption cyc... ” His remarks underline the strategic importance of economic conditions and policy measures on the fintech sector.

The Managing Director, George Alexander Muthoot, signaled the company’s efforts to diversify its portfolio, aiming for non-gold loan segments to constitute 18-20% of total loans over the next five years. The housing finance division has shown promise, disbursing ₹880 crore within the first nine months of FY25, significantly higher than the ₹493 crore dispersed by the same time last year.

Despite the optimistic outlook, Muthoot Finance has taken caution within its microfinance segment. Alexander noted, “We have tempered disbursements... we expect stability to return... ” This comment reflects operational challenges faced by the sector but emphasizes their approach to maintain quality amid changes. Analysts reportedly have mixed opinions on the company's stock. Currently, 13 out of 26 recommend buying the shares, five suggest holding, and two advise selling, based on information from Trendlyne.

Interestingly, Muthoot Finance shares experienced notable fluctuations following the earnings announcement. They climbed as much as 7% recently, reaching highs of ₹2,335 on BSE. Over the past year, shares have surged over 72% with recent gains continuing to reinforce the stock's volatility and performance.

The positive trends are no accident. Brokerages such as Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL) and Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities have shared insights addressing the gold loan market dynamics and Muthoot's strategic positioning. MOFSL pointed out factors benefitting the company, including “a sharp rise in gold prices,” alongside decreased competition from banks and unsecured credit providers. Having increased its FY26 and FY27 estimates by 7% each due to higher growth expectations, they reiterated their recommendations and target price assessments.

Despite the positive sentiment, the consensus from Motilal Oswal indicated, “We believe the positives are already factored in its valuations,” cautioning investors to assess the stock’s rising price against solid fundamentals moving forward. Nirmal Bang projected substantial growth, factoring consolidated loan growth, stable margins, and reduced credit costs, estimating Muthoot Finance’s net profit to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 20% through 2027.

The market personnel maintains guarded optimism as Muthoot balances its aspirations against the volatile nature of lending practices and regulatory expectations. With analysts adjusting their collective forecasts, the emphasis remains on sustainable growth paths achieved through prudent financial management and responsive market strategies.

Overall, Muthoot Finance's distinct positioning within the gold loan sector, combined with resilient operational strategies and effective use of macroeconomic tailwinds, paints a positive picture as it navigates the complex financial ecosystem. Investors and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as the gold loan provider implements its strategic initiatives and adapts to changing market dynamics.