Record quarter, stable margins, capital deployed for scaled growth
The verdict, the claims that held up, the sharpest analyst exchanges, and the risks — the earnings call, decoded from the transcript.
Buy
confidence 8/10
Grade A
Delivered ₹372.9Cr revenue (+36% YoY), ₹69.5Cr PAT (+23%), matching guidance. Clear segment breakdown, order books quantified, capital allocation explained.
Optimistic
next 1–2 quarters
Optimistic
multi-year
Choice delivered its strongest quarter on record with ₹372.9Cr revenue (+36% YoY) and ₹69.5Cr PAT (+23%), hitting guidance despite a challenging macro. The company is deploying ₹900Cr capital across MTF, wealth, and advisory expansion, with concrete IB pipeline (₹6,210Cr, 24 mandates) and strategic M&A (Feedback Infra). Near-term risk: demat account activation remains flat (16.7% active) and NBFC margins face microfinance industry headwinds.
₹372.9 Cr
Revenue · +35.9% YoY₹69.5 Cr
Reported PAT · +23% YoYFlat
Margins · vs guidance: CorroboratedDid the claims hold up?
Q2 strongest quarter in history, record revenue
METRevenue ₹372.9Cr, +35.9% YoY (CFO stated ₹379Cr, rounding difference)
PAT ₹70Cr, +23% YoY with 18.3% margin
METPAT ₹69.5Cr, +23.0% YoY, NPM 18.3% (minor rounding variance)
Broking contributed ~52%, advisory ~36%, NBFC ~12%
OVERSTATEDBroking ₹178Cr (47% of ₹379), advisory ₹145Cr (38%), NBFC ₹46Cr (12%)
Demat accounts +14% YoY to 13.78 lakh, clients stable
METAdded 1.73 lakh accounts YoY; active ratio 1 in 6 (16.7%), down from prior
Advisory order book ₹710 crore post-Feedback LOI
METGovernment advisory ₹100 crore baseline stable; new projects add ₹200+ crore
Earnings quality
What changed since the last call
IB pipeline guidance clarified
DowngradePrior: ₹6,766Cr pipeline. New: ₹6,210Cr (24 IPO mandates). Reduction ~₹556Cr, but tone remains bullish on momentum (4-5 more in H2).
Advisory revenue boost from IPOs
UpgradeAdvisory ₹145Cr this quarter (up from ~₹100Cr baseline gov advisory), driven by 5 IPOs. Management expects to maintain at IPO-lifted levels.
MTF book expansion acceleration
UpgradeMTF book ₹463Cr. ₹900Cr capital partly earmarked for MTF growth; management confident funds deployed this quarter.
Wealth AUM surge
UpgradeWealth AUM ₹6,000Cr (vs ₹2,000Cr year-ago, 3x growth). Product distribution ₹1,636Cr in H1 FY27 vs ₹512Cr full FY26.
NBFC headwinds acknowledged
DowngradeManagement cited microfinance industry cycles impacting margins. Expects recovery soon but no new growth target quantified.
The Q&A
Analysts pressed hard on demat activation (only 16.7% active), NBFC margin pressure, and advisory revenue sustainability post-IPO surge. Management held firm on activation strategy (dedicated team, digital solutions) but offered no specific acceleration metrics. On advisory, confirmed government consulting is stable (₹100Cr) and IPO momentum expected to continue, so ₹145Cr is defensible. Minor defensive tone on regulatory questions (insurance, CAS), but overall confident on execution.
Demat activation — Anirudh Sharma, Eakant Investments
PartialContinuous process, NSE active UCC list 12-month tenure. Team dedicates analysis, sends personalized research via app. Expecting right level now; activation efforts ongoing.
Feedback Infra M&A — Nayan, Ertiga Wealth
AnsweredLetter of confirmation from credit committee received. NCLT case next hearing planned. Acquisition subject to NCLT approval. Expect higher project margins due to credentials.
Tier 3 expansion — Mohit Sukhani, IIFL Capital
AnsweredUntapped market potential, financial inclusion focus. Target 30–40% growth in tier 3+ customer base. MTF capital expansion supporting this. Customer segment growth ~10% of overall rate.
IPO fee pressure — Rysa Patel, Family Office
AnsweredFees 3–8%, 9% by sector/size. No major margin pressure expected; pipeline adequate and companies well-placed for capital markets.
Advisory revenue sustainability — Raghav, Raghav & Company
AnsweredGovernment consultancy ₹100Cr stable baseline. IPO revenue incremental. As IPO approvals continue, will maintain. Expected 4–5 more IPOs in H2.
NBFC margin drivers — Dhanraj Tolani, Kuber Advisors
PartialNBFC impacted by microfinance industry cycles. Margins slightly compressed. Microfinance recovery expected soon; impact will also ease in micro-loan portfolio.
H2 priorities — Vivek Jhala, Jhala Family Office
AnsweredStrikeX for sophisticated traders (unique offering), digital product launches, MTF portfolio acceleration, NCD/fixed income distribution, active AMC schemes launch.
ROE targeting — Vedant, Vinayak Capital
AnsweredTargeting ~20% ROE. Capital is mixed use: MTF, settlement funding, capex, working capital. No segregation; flexible allocation.
Guidance
Q3–Q4 FY27: 4–5 IPO closures expected from 24-mandate pipeline
MediumDependent on regulatory approval timelines. Advisory revenue expected to maintain IPO-lifted levels (~₹145Cr).
FY27 growth: 30%+ YoY (implied from Q1-Q2 momentum)
MediumDriven by IPO activity (cyclical), MTF scaling, wealth growth. Normalized post-IPO spike may moderate.
Maintain EBITDA margin ~34.5%, OPM ~33.4%+
MediumNBFC drag expected to ease as microfinance cycles recover. Insurance regulatory framework pending impact.
Advisory: 50%–50% government/IB mix by FY30 (vs current ~100% gov baseline + IPO spikes)
MediumShift toward IB to de-risk from IPO cyclicality. Assumes sustained IB pipeline.
Segment mix target: 50% broking, 40% advisory, 10% NBFC (FY27 actual: 47%, 38%, 12%)
LowBroking/advisory slightly off target. No explicit timeline to reach target; repositioning ongoing.
₹900Cr capital deployment across MTF, wealth, settlement funding, capex, WC
HighFunds received post-27 Oct; expected deployed this quarter. Flexible allocation, no segregation.
Risks the call surfaced
Demat account activation
MediumDemat account active ratio 16.7% (1 in 6 clients), flat YoY. Limits transaction volume, trading margin expansion. Dedicated team and digital solutions in place but no specific acceleration target set.
NBFC margin compression
MediumNBFC segment (₹46Cr revenue, ₹935Cr loan book) impacted by microfinance industry cycles. Margins compressed over last 2–3 quarters. Recovery expected 'soon' but timing and magnitude uncertain.
Insurance regulatory risk
MediumInsurance segment (₹81Cr premiums, ~75,000 policies) faces proposed changes to commission framework and distribution expenses. Potential pressure on commission income and margins.
IPO pipeline cyclicality
MediumAdvisory revenue surged to ₹145Cr (Q2) from ₹100Cr baseline on 5 IPO closures. ₹6,210Cr pipeline (24 mandates) is dependent on market conditions and regulatory approval timelines. IPO slowdown could halve advisory revenue.
Feedback Infra execution delay
MediumFeedback Infra acquisition (₹200+ Cr order book add expected) is pending NCLT court approval and creditors' sign-off. Execution risk remains; next hearing will plan acquisition process.
Management
Score 8/10. Clear, disciplined. CFO provided detailed segment breakdowns, order books, and AUM metrics. Avoided vague forward statements; quantified most claims. Regulatory uncertainties (insurance, SEBI CAS) disclosed but deferred pending clarity. Strong track record. Met Q2 guidance (₹372.9Cr revenue, ₹69.5Cr PAT vs ₹379Cr/₹70Cr stated). Branch expansion on track (~218 now, targeting 300–350 by March 2027). MTF scaling ahead of plan (₹463Cr book). Capital deployment (₹900Cr) committed to execute this quarter.
1 · Q3 FY27
4–5 new IPO listings (from 24-mandate pipeline); advisory revenue uplift
2 · Q4 FY27
Feedback Infra completion (₹200+ crore order book addition); next branch expansion push
3 · FY30
Advisory segment mix: 50%-50% gov advisory / IB (from current 36%)
Near-term risk: demat account activation remains flat (16.7% active) and NBFC margins face microfinance industry headwinds.
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