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    Tata Steel

    TATASTEEL
    Metals & Mining·13 Nov 2025
    Management Summary

    Tata Steel delivered a strong Q2 FY26 performance, primarily driven by robust volume growth and effective cost transformation in India, leading to a 10% QoQ revenue increase and 80 bps EBITDA margin expansion. While European operations, particularly the UK, faced significant market headwinds and widening losses, the company is actively pursuing strategic initiatives like the BlueScope acquisition and engaging with governments for policy support. Capex and debt levels remain managed, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 3x.

    Highlights

    5
    • Consolidated revenues for Q2 FY26 stood at ₹58,689 crores, up 10% QoQ, driven by strong volume growth in India.

    • India's EBITDA margin improved by 80 bps to 25% in Q2 FY26, despite HRC spot prices being down ₹2,300 per ton QoQ.

    • The global cost transformation program delivered tangible results, achieving ₹5,450 crores in H1 FY26.

    • Acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in Tata BlueScope Steel Private Limited to leverage synergies and grow the portfolio in India.

    • Strong operating cashflows of ~₹10,000 crores generated in H1 FY26 after interest, tax, and working capital.

    Concerns

    4
    • TSUK EBITDA loss widened from -£41 million in Q1 to -£66 million in Q2 FY26 due to severe market pressure and high import quotas.

    • UK EBITDA breakeven by 4QFY26 is difficult without government intervention and improved market conditions.

    • Netherlands saw material costs increase by €75 million QoQ in Q2 FY26, partly offset by conversion cost reductions.

    • Delay in environmental clearances for Neelachal expansion, pushing back Board approval timelines.

    What Changed2

    vs Q3 FY26

    Guidance items10 → 17 (+7)Risks discussed8 → 5 (-3)
    Key financials

    Metrics

    6

    Periods

    2

    Q2 FY26

    2
    • Consolidated Revenue
      ₹58,689 Cr
      QoQ+10%
    • India Crude Steel Production
      5.65 MT
      YoY+7.0%QoQ+8%

    H1 FY26

    4
    • Consolidated Revenue
      ₹1.12L Cr
    • Consolidated EBITDA
      ₹16,585 Cr
    • Consolidated EBITDA/ton
      ₹11,037
    • Consolidated EBITDA Margin
      15%

    Segment breakdown

    India Standalone
    ₹34,680 Cr Revenues (Q2 FY26)₹8,394 Cr EBITDA (Q2 FY26)24% EBITDA Margin (Q2 FY26)
    Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited
    ₹260 Cr EBITDA (Q2 FY26)20% EBITDA Margin (Q2 FY26)17% EBITDA Growth (QoQ)
    UK
    0.6 Mn Deliveries (Q2 FY26)-66 Mn EBITDA (Q2 FY26)-41 Mn EBITDA (Q1 FY26)
    Netherlands
    1.5 billion EUR Revenues (Q2 FY26)1.7 Mn Liquid Steel Production (Q2 FY26)1.5 Mn Deliveries (Q2 FY26)
    List

    Capital allocation

    5
    high confidence
    CategoryHeadline
    Capex

    Capex disclosed

    Debt

    Gross ₹842 crores · Net ₹87,040 crores · 3.0x EBITDA

    Returns FYTD

    ₹4,490 crores

    M&A

    Tata BlueScope Steel Private Limited

    acquisition · signed

    M&A

    Ferro Alloy Plant in Jajpur, Odisha

    divestment · announced

    Guidance & targets

    17
    CategoryTargetPriority
    Realization
    India 3Q Realization
    about ₹1,500 per ton lower than 2Q
    High
    Realization
    Netherlands 3Q Realization
    about €30 per ton lower compared to 2Q
    High
    Cost
    India Coking Coal Consumption Cost
    about $6 per ton higher in 3Q than 2Q
    High
    Cost
    Netherlands Coking Coal Consumption Costs
    down about €5 – €10 per ton
    High
    Profitability
    UK EBITDA Breakeven
    difficult to get by 4QFY26 without government action
    Low
    Profitability
    UK EAF Cost Improvement
    improve by about £150 per ton
    High
    Profitability
    Ludhiana EAF EBITDA per ton
    ₹5,000 to ₹7,000
    High
    Capacity
    Neelachal Expansion Timeline
    3-3.5 years post Board approval
    Medium
    Capacity
    Ludhiana Plant Commissioning
    0.8 million tons
    High
    Capacity
    Meramandali Capacity
    from 5 million tons to 6.5 million tons, then to 10 million tons
    Medium
    Capacity
    Total India Capacity
    45 million tons per annum
    Medium
    Capacity
    UK EAF Capacity
    3 million tons with 10-15% exports
    High
    Capacity
    Pipe Business Capacity
    heading towards 1.5 million tons, ambition to get to 4 million tons
    Medium
    Volume
    Kalinganagar Capacity
    up to 8 million tons
    High
    Volume
    Neelachal Additional Volume
    another 200,000 - 300,000 tons
    Medium
    CO2 Footprint
    Ludhiana Plant CO2 per ton
    0.2 - 0.3 tons of CO2 per ton of steel
    High
    Debt
    Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio
    maintain between 2.75 and 3
    High

    Neelachal Expansion Board Approval

    next few months
    CurrentDelayed due to environmental clearances
    TargetBoard approval for Financial Investment Decision (FID)

    Why it matters

    Crucial for advancing the significant Neelachal capacity expansion project.

    But the FID will be taken once we have the environment approvals, which we expect in the next few months.

    How to verify

    guidance_and_targets[metric='Neelachal Expansion Timeline']

    Risks & concerns

    5
    RiskSeverity

    Global macroeconomic uncertainty and trade protectionism

    Global dynamics shaped by tariffs, geopolitical tensions, elevated steel exports (China expected to cross 100 million tons), impacting pricing worldwide.Management acknowledged

    high

    UK market vulnerability to imports and shrinking demand

    UK remains a very vulnerable market with import quotas higher than total consumption, declining domestic prices, and 33% decline in flat product demand since 2018.Management acknowledged

    high

    Delay in environmental clearances for Neelachal expansion

    Board approval for Neelachal expansion is delayed due to pending environmental and forest clearances, impacting project timelines.Management acknowledged

    medium

    Expiration of safeguard duties in India

    Safeguard duty notification has expired, and the company is awaiting government advice, potentially exposing India to cheaper imports.Analyst acknowledged

    medium

    Reducing carbon credits in Netherlands

    Free allowances for carbon emissions are gradually coming down, but the company has mitigants like increased scrap charge and internal decarbonization efforts.Analyst acknowledged

    low

    Q&A highlights

    8

    “So, this is a positive move for the European steel industry and in a sense, Europe is actually working hard to have a stronger, resilient steel industry in Europe to take care of Europe's strategic needs, particularly defence and other areas. So, this is part of the plan. So, it's good from Tata Steel Netherlands point of view. We have already started seeing it having a positive impact on the price discussions with customers for the annual contracts for next year. And certainly, as you said, imports have stopped coming, in anticipation of this and the restocking etc., will lead to some positive impact for us in Netherlands, particularly from 4Q. Maybe 3Q is already a bit too late and we are still dealing with the hangover of the last two quarters. But 4Q onwards, we certainly see an improvement in Netherlands. And this also has a long-term impact because these actions are also going to come with melt and pour conditions. So, if you want to participate in the European market, you have to make in Europe rather than make somewhere else and ship slabs to Europe to participate in the potential CBAM-protected market in Europe. So, there are multiple reasons why this is a positive move for Tata Steel Netherlands. As far as UK is concerned, like you said, UK is left out of this. In fact, our discussions with the UK Government is that the UK Government also needs to take some actions. Otherwise, UK will bear the brunt of material which can't find markets in the US and Europe.”

    Management confirms positive impact of EU protectionist measures on Netherlands operations from Q4, but highlights UK's disadvantage due to lack of similar government action.

    asked by Vibhav Zutshi, JP Morgan

    2 min read6 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Strong India Performance Drives Q2 Growth

    Tata Steel's India operations were a key driver of performance in Q2 FY26. Crude steel production increased by 8% QoQ and 7% YoY to 5.65 million tons, largely due to ramp-up at Kalinganagar and G blast furnace relining. Domestic deliveries saw a significant 20% QoQ increase. Despite a ₹2,300 per ton QoQ drop in HRC spot prices, net realizations only fell by ₹1,700 per ton, and India's EBITDA margin improved by 80 bps to 25%, reflecting strong cost management and market presence.

    02

    European Operations Face Headwinds

    European operations presented a mixed picture. UK deliveries were marginally lower QoQ at ~0.6 million tons, and the TSUK EBITDA loss widened from -£41 million in Q1 to -£66 million in Q2 FY26. This was attributed to severe market pressure🌐, high import quotas, and declining domestic prices. In the Netherlands, revenues were ~€1.5 billion, with liquid steel production and deliveries remaining stable QoQ. Material costs increased by €75 million QoQ, though conversion costs saw a €72 million reduction.

    03

    Robust Cost Transformation Program

    The company's global cost transformation program continued to yield significant results. In the first half of FY26, ₹5,450 crores in cost savings were achieved, with ₹2,561 crores specifically in Q2 FY26. This program focuses on leaner coal mix, optimization of stores, repairs, and operating KPIs across geographies, contributing to the overall improvement in EBITDA margins despite challenging market conditions.

    04

    Strategic Portfolio Realignment and Expansion

    Tata Steel is actively realigning its portfolio and pursuing strategic growth. The company announced the acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in Tata BlueScope Steel Private Limited to enhance its value-added product mix and leverage synergies in India. Concurrently, it plans to divest its Ferro Alloy Plant in Jajpur, Odisha, following the surrender of the Sukinda mining lease due to high underground capex requirements. Expansion plans for Neelachal, Kalinganagar, and Meramandali are underway, with a long-term ambition to reach 45 million tons per annum in India.

    05

    Capital Structure and Debt Management

    The company generated strong operating cashflows of ~₹10,000 crores in H1 FY26, after accounting for interest, tax, and working capital. Capital expenditure for the half-year was ~₹7,000 crores, and a dividend of ~₹4,490 crores for FY25 was paid. Gross debt saw a marginal increase of ₹842 crores from end-March, with net debt standing at ₹87,040 crores. The consolidated net debt to EBITDA ratio was 3x, with management aiming to maintain this ratio between 2.75 and 3 on a sustained basis.

    06

    Netherlands Decarbonization and UK Policy Advocacy

    Tata Steel signed a non-binding Joint Letter of Intent with the Dutch government for its Netherlands decarbonization journey, emphasizing a phased, financially prudent approach. The Final Investment Decision (FID) is expected next year, with major spends commencing after the permitting process. In the UK, the company continues to advocate for government intervention to address market disparities and protectionist policies, highlighting that without such actions, achieving EBITDA breakeven by 4QFY26 will be challenging.

    This is an AI-generated summary of a publicly available earnings call transcript. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an endorsement. inve.money is not a SEBI-registered investment advisor. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.