A) About Lava Unlisted Shares
Lava International Limited is primarily engaged in the business of designing, manufacturing, and distributing mobile phones, tablets, and communication equipment. The company's product portfolio includes a range of mobile devices, including feature phones, smartphones, and tablets, catering to various market segments from budget to mid-range consumers.
B) Business Analysis of FY 2024:
1. Revenue Performance: Lava's consolidated revenue from operations for FY 2024 was ₹3,646.05 crore, a significant decline of 25.63% compared to ₹4,902.65 crore in FY 2023.
2. EBITDA: Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) stood at ₹103.04 crore, a sharp decline from ₹251.33 crore in FY 2023.
3. Profit Before Tax (PBT): The PBT was ₹45.44 crore, down from ₹85.93 crore in the previous year, reflecting a decrease of approximately 47%.
4. Net Profit: The consolidated profit for the year (PAT) was ₹33.85 crore, a drastic drop from ₹75.24 crore in FY 2023.
5. Subsidiary Contributions: Lava has several subsidiaries, with varying degrees of financial performance. Some subsidiaries reported losses, which likely dragged down the overall consolidated results.
The auditors included an "Emphasis of Matter" paragraph in the audit report of Lava International Limited for the financial year ending March 31, 2024. This paragraph draws attention to the following key issue:
D) Challenges faced in FY 2024:
2. Profitability Pressures: The company’s profitability took a substantial hit, with a marked decrease in both EBITDA and net profit. The reduced profitability could be attributed to higher operational costs, lower margins, and difficulties in maintaining pricing power in a competitive market.
4. Regulatory and Compliance Issues: The company faced delays in critical compliance activities, such as the late filing of the Annual Performance Report (APR) for FY 2023, required under the Foreign Exchange Management (Overseas Investment) Regulations. Additionally, there was a delay in holding the Annual General Meeting (AGM) within the prescribed statutory period. These delays indicate potential weaknesses in the company’s compliance and governance framework.
7. Board Changes: The company saw several changes in its board of directors, including the appointment and cessation of key personnel. This included a notable delay in filling the vacancy for a women director, which was addressed post the financial year.
Financials for FY 2024:
Particulars |
FY 2024 |
Revenue |
3,646 Cr |
EBITDA |
103.04 Cr |
PAT |
33.85 Cr |
Mcap |
2,597 Cr |
P/E |
76.72 |
In Summary, the FY 2024 annual report of Lava International Limited largely highlights the challenges the company faced, including significant revenue declines, reduced profitability, and compliance issues. While the company maintained a focus on innovation through R&D and continued its CSR efforts, these were overshadowed by the financial and operational difficulties of the year. The emphasis is on the need for strategic reassessment and operational improvements to navigate the competitive landscape and improve financial stability.