Tata Motors CV Q3 FY26 profit slides 48% despite revenue surge, hit by one-time costs

/2 min read

ADVERTISEMENT

One-time costs from demerger and labour reforms drag earnings even as volumes, margins and revenue show steady recovery
Tata Motors CV Q3 FY26 profit slides 48% despite revenue surge, hit by one-time costs
CV wholesales rose 20% year-on-year to 1,16,800 units during the quarter Credits: Tata Motors

Tata Motors’ commercial vehicles (CV) business reported a consolidated net profit of ₹705 crore in the third quarter of FY26, marking a sharp 48% year-on-year decline from ₹1,355 crore in the corresponding period last year. The drop was largely driven by substantial exceptional expenses booked during the quarter.

On a sequential basis, however, the company swung back into profit after reporting a loss of ₹867 crore in Q2 FY26, pointing to a recovery in the underlying operating environment.

Exceptional costs weigh heavily on earnings

Net profit was significantly impacted by exceptional costs amounting to ₹1,643 crore. This included ₹962 crore towards stamp duty expenses related to Tata Motors’ demerger scheme, ₹603 crore arising from the implementation of new labour codes, and ₹82 crore linked to acquisition-related expenses.

The labour code impact included higher provisions for gratuity and long-term compensated absences, further weighing on reported earnings.

Revenue growth supported by improving demand

Despite the profit pressure, revenue performance remained robust. Revenue from operations rose 16.1% year-on-year to ₹21,847 crore during the October–December quarter. Sequentially, revenue increased 17.5%, aided by higher volumes, better operating leverage and replacement-led demand from fleet operators.

fortune magazine cover
Fortune India Latest Edition is Out Now!
Netflix’s India Decade

January 2026

Netflix, which has been in India for a decade, has successfully struck a balance between high-class premium content and pricing that attracts a range of customers. Find out how the U.S. streaming giant evolved in India, plus an exclusive interview with CEO Ted Sarandos. Also read about the Best Investments for 2026, and how rising growth and easing inflation will come in handy for finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman as she prepares Budget 2026.

Read Now

Analysts note that improving freight movement and lower vehicle prices encouraged operators to replace ageing fleets, supporting volume growth across key CV categories.

Margins improve, EBITDA shows resilience

Operational metrics showed steady improvement. Operating margin expanded to 12.6% from 12.07% a year ago, while consolidated EBITDA margin improved by 30 basis points to 12.5%. EBITDA rose sharply during the quarter, reflecting improved scale and cost efficiencies, even as the net profit margin moderated to 3.23%.

Volumes and market share gain momentum

CV wholesales rose 20% year-on-year to 1,16,800 units during the quarter. Domestic volumes grew 18%, while export volumes surged 70%. Tata Motors also reported a sequential 100 basis point increase in domestic CV VAHAN market share to 35.5%, signalling strengthening competitive positioning.

Outlook remains positive

Looking ahead, Tata Motors expects demand to strengthen further in Q4 FY26, supported by continued government infrastructure spending and expansion across construction, logistics and industrial segments.

Explore the world of business like never before with the Fortune India app. From breaking news to in-depth features, experience it all in one place. Download Now