Powered by: Motilal Oswal
2026-01-17 12:42:39 pm | Source: Axis Securities Ltd
Hold L&T Technology Services Ltd For Target Rs. 4,600 By Axis Securities Ltd
Hold L&T Technology Services Ltd For Target Rs. 4,600 By Axis Securities Ltd

Margin Expansion Supports Growth; Focus on Restructuring-Led Transformation

Est. Vs. Actual for Q3FY26: Revenue – MISS; EBIT – INLINE; PAT – MISS

Change in Estimates YoY post Q3FY26:

FY26E/FY27E: Revenue: 0%/4%; EBIT: 1%/11%, PAT: -5%/10%

 

Recommendation Rationale

* AI and Innovation: The company is pivoting from "AI" to full-stack "Engineering Intelligence". LTTS is implementing an AI-first strategy and has filed 229 patents in AI and Gen AI. It aims for near-universal AI literacy within the workforce in the next three quarters. Furthermore, LTTS has built a scalable, enterprise-ready platform called Agentic IQ. This platform enables the rapid creation, orchestration, and governance of AI agents across the engineering lifecycle.

* Deal Wins/Pipeline: The company secured large deals with a TCV of $180 Mn, maintaining a trajectory of near $200 Mn for five consecutive quarters. New wins include a high-value engineering centre for an Australian enterprise and expanded partnerships in the energy sector.

* Growth Outlook: Management maintains a mid-single-digit growth guidance for FY26 and aspires for around 16% EBIT margins by Q4FY27 or Q1FY28, driven by capital allocation to high-margin segments (Sustainability and Mobility segment), exiting low-margin areas, and operational efficiencies via AI

Sector Outlook: Cautiously Optimistic

Company Outlook & Guidance: The company is pivoting towards "Engineering Intelligence" (EI) and AI-led solutions in preparation for its next 5-year "Lakshya" strategy, beginning in FY27. The company aims to increase its large deal win rate from the current $200 Mn per quarter to $300 Mn to accelerate growth.

Current Valuation: 26x Dec’27E P/E (Earlier Valuation: 28x Mar’27E)

Current TP: Rs 4,600/share (Earlier TP: Rs 4,650/share)

Recommendation: We recommend a HOLD rating on the stock.

Financial Performance

In Q3FY26, LTTS reported revenue of Rs 2,924 Cr vs Rs 2,653 Cr, up 10.2% YoY but down 1.9% YoY due to discontinuation of non-strategic accounts. EBIT stood at Rs 427 Cr vs Rs 422 Cr, up 1.2% YoY and 7.3% QoQ, led by lower other expenses. The company reported net income of Rs 303 Cr vs Rs 320 Cr, down by 5.1% YoY and 7.9% QoQ, primarily due to exceptional costs related to labour codes. However, in CC terms, revenue was up 4.6% YoY. Attrition levels show some improvement, standing at 14.4% vs 14.6% YoY.

Valuation & Recommendation

The management aims to improve revenue verticals by pivoting towards higher-margin, futuristic technologies (Engineering Intelligence) and exiting commoditised, low-margin businesses. However, Q4FY26 is expected to have a wage impact with restructuring expenses. We value the company at 26x of Dec’27E EPS and recommend a HOLD rating on the stock, with a target price of Rs 4,600/share, implying an upside of 8% from the CMP.

 

For More Axis Securities Disclaimer https://simplehai.axisdirect.in/disclaimer-home

SEBI Registration number is INZ000161633

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Investments in financial markets are subject to market risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers are strongly advised to consult a licensed financial expert or advisor for tailored advice before making any investment decisions. The data and information presented in this article may not be accurate, comprehensive, or up-to-date. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article for any current or future financial references. To Read Complete Disclaimer Click Here