BHEL Share Price Falls Over 6% After Q1 Net Loss Widens to ₹445 Crore
India’s
engineering giant Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) saw its stock
tank sharply on August 7, 2025, after reporting disappointing financial results
for the first quarter of FY26. The BHEL share price dropped 6.34%,
closing at ₹224.45 on the NSE, as the company’s consolidated net loss
widened significantly.
Let’s break
down what led to this selloff, and what it means for investors.
Q1 FY26 Highlights: Widened Losses & Flat
Revenue
BHEL reported a
net loss of ₹445.50 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Q1 FY26),
compared to a loss of ₹211.40 crore in the same quarter last year (Q1 FY25). This
represents a YoY increase of over 110% in losses.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the numbers:
| Metric | Q1 FY26 | Q1 FY25 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Loss | ₹445.50 crore | ₹211.40 crore | ▲ 110.7% |
| Revenue from Operations | ₹5,486.91 crore | ₹5,485.38 crore | ▲ 0.03% |
| Pre-tax Loss | ₹608.04 crore | ₹278.99 crore | ▲ 117.9% |
| Total Expenses | ₹6,279.78 crore | ₹5,874.52 crore | ▲ 6.89% |
Despite
reporting a flat revenue figure YoY, the company's expenses rose
significantly, contributing to the sharp increase in losses.
Why Did BHEL Post Higher Losses?
There are
several contributing factors to the poor performance:
1. Rising Costs
- Total expenses increased by 6.89% YoY.
- Cost of materials & services rose to ₹4,127.98 crore, up 10.81%
from the previous year.
- Employee benefits expense also edged higher by 1.92% YoY.
These rising
costs ate into the company's margins, worsening the loss even though revenues
were stable.
2. Underperformance in Power Segment
BHEL derives a
large chunk of its revenue from the power business, which showed
weakness this quarter:
- Power segment revenue: ₹3,898.36 crore, down 5.55%
YoY
- Industry segment revenue: ₹1,588.32 crore, up 17.04%
YoY
While the
industry segment offered some support, it wasn't enough to offset the decline
in power business.
Market Reaction: BHEL Share Price Falls 6.34%
Investors
reacted swiftly to the poor earnings report. The BHEL share price fell 6.34%
intraday, closing at ₹224.45 on NSE.
Here’s how the BHEL
share price moved during the trading day:
| Time | Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Open | 240.00 |
| Day’s High | 242.35 |
| Day’s Low | 223.50 |
| Close | 224.45 |
| % Change | -6.34% |
The stock
witnessed heavy selling pressure, reflecting investor disappointment.
BHEL Share Price: Recent Performance
Before the Q1
earnings, the BHEL share price had been performing relatively well.
Here’s how it fared over various timeframes:
| Period | Price Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | -4.5% |
| 1 Month | +8.2% |
| 3 Months | +16.9% |
| YTD (2025) | +23.7% |
Despite the
sharp fall, the stock is still in positive territory for the year. However,
analysts suggest exercising caution going forward.
About Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL)
Founded in
1964, BHEL is India's largest government-owned engineering and
manufacturing enterprise in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Key Facts:
- Owned by: Government of India (under the
Ministry of Heavy Industries)
- Business: Design, engineering,
manufacturing, erection, testing, and servicing of a wide range of
products.
- Sectors Catered:
- Power generation
- Transmission
- Industry
- Transportation
- Renewable energy
- Oil & gas
- Defence
Despite being a
public sector unit, BHEL competes with private firms in capital-intensive
markets, especially for power plant projects.
Segment-Wise Revenue Breakdown
In Q1 FY26,
BHEL’s segmental performance showed mixed results.
Power Segment:
- Revenue: ₹3,898.36 crore
- YoY Change: -5.55%
- Reason: Delays in new orders and
execution, project cost overruns
Industry Segment:
- Revenue: ₹1,588.32 crore
- YoY Change: +17.04%
- Reason: Improved traction in
railways, defence, and renewables
While the
industry segment saw growth, the dominant power segment’s underperformance
overshadowed it.
Analyst Views & Market Commentary
Analyst Sentiment: Cautious
Brokerage firms
and market experts have turned cautious on BHEL after the Q1 results. Key
reasons include:
- Persistent cost pressures
- Sluggish power sector orders
- High working capital cycle
- Limited earnings visibility
Market Expert View:
“BHEL’s order
inflow has remained sluggish, and the execution cycle is elongated. The widened
Q1 loss highlights ongoing structural challenges in its core power business,”
said an analyst from Motilal Oswal.
What Investors Should Watch Ahead
For investors
tracking the BHEL share price, here are key factors to monitor going
forward:
1. Order Book Visibility
- Investors should track new project
announcements.
- Any big-ticket order wins from the
government or power PSUs can boost sentiment.
2. Execution Timeline
- Timely delivery of existing orders
is crucial to improve margins.
- Delays often lead to cost overruns
and penalties.
3. Raw Material Costs
- Steel, copper, and other material
prices directly impact BHEL’s profitability.
4. Government Policies
- As a PSU, BHEL's fate is closely
tied to government capex cycles.
- Announcements related to energy,
railways, and defence will be key.
PSU Peer Comparison
Let’s see how
BHEL compares with other listed PSUs in terms of stock performance and
financial health:
| Company | Market Cap (₹ Cr) | FY25 Net Profit (₹ Cr) | P/E Ratio | 1-Year Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHEL | 78,000 (approx) | Loss | N/A | +18.4% |
| BEL | 115,000 | ₹4,750 | 29x | +65.2% |
| HAL | 225,000 | ₹9,125 | 32x | +74.3% |
| NTPC | 315,000 | ₹18,500 | 11x | +32.6% |
Compared to
peers like BEL and HAL, BHEL is still in the turnaround phase and
lacks strong earnings momentum.
Should You Buy, Hold or Sell BHEL Shares?
Reasons to Hold or Buy:
- Government capex focus could
revive order inflows
- Monopoly in several large infra
projects
- Debt-free balance sheet
- Long-term PSU theme gaining investor
interest
Reasons to Be Cautious:
- Consistent quarterly losses
- Execution delays
- Margin pressures due to rising
input costs
- Power sector headwinds
Verdict: Cautious investors may prefer to wait
for a turnaround or a strong earnings surprise before making fresh entries.
What’s Next for BHEL?
The next big
trigger for the BHEL share price could be:
- Government policy announcements on
infra spending
- New orders in defence or railways
- Q2 FY26 earnings in October 2025
Any sign of
margin improvement or return to profitability could lead to a short-term rally.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- BHEL reported a net loss of
₹445.50 crore in Q1 FY26.
- Revenue remained flat at ₹5,486.91
crore, while expenses surged nearly 7%.
- The BHEL share price fell over
6% as investors reacted to the widened loss.
- Weakness in the power segment and
higher raw material costs dragged down performance.
- Investors should stay cautious,
but monitor upcoming orders and government policy cues.
Risk Disclaimer
Stock market
investments are subject to market risks. The information provided in this
article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be
construed as investment advice. Always consult with a registered financial
advisor before making any investment decisions.
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