SCHAND - S Chand & Compan
📢 Recent Corporate Announcements
S Chand reported Q3FY26 revenue of ₹990 million and maintained its full-year guidance of over ₹8,000 million in revenue with 18-20% EBITDA margins. The company completed its first international acquisition of CPD Singapore in January 2026, targeting the growing IGCSE and IB curriculum segments. Management highlighted a strong push in AI Dataset content licensing, expecting over 50% YoY growth to exceed ₹300 million in FY26. Efficiency metrics improved significantly, with inventory days reaching a record Q3 low of 316 days.
- Maintained FY26 revenue guidance of ₹8,000+ million and EBITDA margins of 18%-20%
- Acquired CPD Singapore to enter the international curriculum market serving 1,000+ schools in India
- AI Dataset licensing revenue projected to grow 50%+ YoY to reach ₹300+ million in FY26
- Achieved lowest-ever Q3 inventory days at 316 days and net working capital at 143 days
- Management to evaluate a potential share buyback during the May 2026 board meeting
S Chand And Company Limited has made the audio recording of its Q3FY26 earnings conference call available to the public. The call, held on February 13, 2026, discussed the company's unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025. This disclosure is a routine regulatory requirement under SEBI Listing Regulations to ensure transparency for all investors. The recording provides management's perspective on the company's performance and future outlook in the education publishing sector.
- Audio recording of the Q3FY26 investor conference call is now accessible via the company website.
- The call focused on financial results for the quarter and nine-month period ending December 31, 2025.
- The disclosure follows the initial meeting notification sent to exchanges on February 05, 2026.
- Compliance maintained with Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations.
S Chand reported Q3FY26 revenues of Rs 990 million with a PAT loss of Rs 287 million, reflecting the seasonal nature of the education publishing business. The company completed its first international acquisition of CPD Singapore in January 2026 to enter the high-growth IB and IGCSE curriculum markets. Management has provided a strong outlook for FY26, targeting operating revenues above Rs 8,000 million and upgrading EBITDA margin guidance to 18%-20%. Efficiency gains were evident as the company achieved its lowest-ever Q3 inventory days (316) and net working capital days (143).
- Completed acquisition of CPD Singapore to target the International Curriculum segment (IB/IGCSE) in India and Asia.
- Management guides for FY26 revenue to exceed Rs 8,000 million with an upgraded EBITDA margin of 18%-20%.
- Achieved lowest historical Q3 working capital metrics with Inventory days at 316 and Net Working Capital at 143 days.
- Net Debt reduced by Rs 180 million YoY to Rs 359 million, with a target to remain net debt-free for three quarters of the year.
- Content licensing (AI Datasets) revenue targeted at over Rs 300 million for FY26, despite a moderation in 9M margins.
S Chand reported a weak Q3 performance with standalone revenue from operations falling 34.4% YoY to ₹217.44 million. The standalone net loss for the quarter widened to ₹172.94 million compared to a loss of ₹137.71 million in the previous year's corresponding quarter. For the nine-month period ended December 2025, the standalone net loss increased significantly to ₹339.84 million from ₹192.76 million. The company noted that its business is highly seasonal, with the majority of sales typically occurring in the fourth quarter (January-March) ahead of the new academic session.
- Standalone Revenue from operations fell to ₹217.44 million in Q3 FY26 from ₹331.41 million in Q3 FY25.
- Standalone Net Loss widened to ₹172.94 million for the quarter versus ₹137.71 million YoY.
- Nine-month standalone revenue declined to ₹871.81 million from ₹1,127.66 million in the prior year period.
- Exceptional item of ₹13.80 million recognized as a provision for the new Government Labour Codes.
- Total expenses for the nine-month period remained relatively flat at ₹1,471.33 million despite the revenue drop.
S Chand And Company Limited has announced its earnings conference call to discuss the unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025. The call is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2026, at 1:30 PM IST. Senior management, including the Managing Director and Group CFO, will be present to address analyst and investor queries. This is a standard regulatory procedure following the end of the third quarter of the fiscal year 2026.
- Earnings conference call scheduled for February 13, 2026, at 1:30 PM IST.
- Management representation includes MD Himanshu Gupta and Group CFO Saurabh Mittal.
- The call will cover financial performance for Q3FY26 and the nine-month period ended Dec 31, 2025.
- Universal access dial-in numbers provided are +91-22-6280 1231 and +91-22-7115 8132.
S Chand and Company Limited, through its subsidiary New Saraswati House (India) Private Limited, has successfully completed the 100% acquisition of CPD Singapore Education Services Pte. Limited. The total consideration for the acquisition is SGD 1.5 million, structured in two tranches. This strategic move allows S Chand to fill a gap in its portfolio by gaining exposure to International Curriculums such as IB and IGCSE. The acquisition is expected to facilitate expansion into international markets, specifically in the Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia.
- Acquisition of 100% stake in CPD Singapore Education Services Pte. Limited for SGD 1.5 million.
- Target company specializes in publishing school books for International Curriculums (IB and IGCSE).
- CPD Singapore now becomes a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of S Chand.
- Strategic expansion into high-growth international markets including the Middle East and SE Asia.
- The acquisition was completed on January 30, 2026, following the initial disclosure on January 10, 2026.
S Chand's subsidiary, New Saraswati House, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% ownership of CPD Singapore Education Services for a total consideration of SGD 1.5 million. The acquisition, structured in two tranches, includes a fresh capital infusion of SGD 535,000 and a share purchase of SGD 965,000. This move strategically fills a gap in S Chand's portfolio by adding International Curriculum (IB/IGCSE) expertise. The transaction is expected to be completed by February 28, 2026, and will facilitate expansion into Middle Eastern and South Asian markets.
- Acquisition of 100% equity in CPD Singapore for a total value of SGD 1.5 million.
- Target company specializes in International Curriculum (IB/IGCSE) and education-support services.
- CPD Singapore reported a turnover of SGD 891,000 in 2024, SGD 958,000 in 2023, and SGD 910,000 in 2022.
- The deal includes SGD 535,000 for fresh share subscription and SGD 965,000 for purchasing existing shares.
- Expected completion date for the entire transaction is February 28, 2026.
S Chand And Company Limited has scheduled a one-on-one video call with the team from Prudent IM on January 9, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. The meeting will feature senior management, including CFO Saurabh Mittal and SVP Atul Soni, to discuss the company's performance and the education sector. This interaction is part of the company's ongoing engagement with institutional investors. Such meetings are standard practice for listed entities to maintain transparency with the investment community.
- One-on-one video call scheduled with Prudent IM for January 9, 2026, at 02:00 P.M.
- Management representation includes CFO Saurabh Mittal and SVP-Investor Relations Atul Soni.
- The discussion will focus on detailed company performance and sector-specific outlooks.
- The meeting is conducted pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations.
S Chand And Company Limited's board has approved a corporate guarantee of up to Rs. 10.00 Crores in favor of HDFC Bank. This guarantee is intended to secure a cash credit facility for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shri Shyamlal Printing Press Private Limited. The decision was finalized during a board meeting held on January 07, 2026. This financial support helps the subsidiary manage its working capital requirements through bank credit.
- Corporate guarantee approved for an amount up to Rs. 10.00 Crores.
- Facility provided by HDFC Bank Limited for cash credit purposes.
- Beneficiary is Shri Shyamlal Printing Press Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary.
- The board meeting took place on January 07, 2026, between 03:25 P.M. and 04:01 P.M.
S Chand And Company Limited has scheduled a video call with the team from Mount Intra Finance Pvt Ltd, Kolkata. The meeting is set for January 6, 2026, at 09:30 A.M. to discuss the company's performance and the broader education sector. Mr. Atul Soni, SVP of Investor Relations, Strategy, and M&A, will represent the company. This is a routine regulatory disclosure under SEBI Listing Regulations.
- Video call scheduled with Mount Intra Finance Pvt Ltd on January 6, 2026
- Meeting time set for 09:30 A.M. via digital platform
- Company represented by Mr. Atul Soni, SVP-Investor Relations, Strategy and M&A
- Agenda includes detailed discussion on the Company and the education sector
- Disclosure made pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI LODR Regulations
S Chand And Company Limited has officially announced the closure of its trading window for all designated persons and their immediate relatives starting January 01, 2026. This closure is in compliance with SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, ahead of the Q3 and nine-month financial results for the period ending December 31, 2025. The trading window will remain shut until 48 hours after the unaudited financial results are declared to the public. This is a standard regulatory procedure for listed Indian companies to prevent insider trading during the sensitive period before earnings releases.
- Trading window closure effective from January 01, 2026.
- Closure pertains to the financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025.
- Window will reopen 48 hours after the official declaration of unaudited financial results.
- Compliance maintained under SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015.
- The notification was issued on December 24, 2025, as per regulatory timelines.
Financial Performance
Revenue Growth by Segment
Consolidated revenues for Q2FY26 reached INR 49.3 Cr, representing a 32% YoY growth. H1FY26 consolidated revenues were INR 152 Cr, up 3% YoY. Content licensing (AI Datasets) contributed INR 14.2 Cr in H1FY26, a decrease from INR 16 Cr in H1FY25. The publishing division remains the primary driver, though specific % splits for digital vs. print were not fully detailed for the current quarter.
Geographic Revenue Split
Not disclosed in available documents, though the company is described as a leading pan-India publishing player catering to CBSE/ICSE schools nationwide.
Profitability Margins
Gross margins for FY25 stood at 68.2% (INR 490.7 Cr), an improvement of 590 basis points over five years. However, H1FY26 saw a reduction in gross margin % due to a shift from high-margin in-house content to lower-margin third-party content for AI Datasets. PAT for FY25 was INR 60.2 Cr compared to INR 51.1 Cr in the previous year.
EBITDA Margin
FY25 EBITDA margin reached 18.8% (INR 135 Cr), the highest in the preceding 5 years, growing 23% YoY. Q2FY26 reported an EBITDA loss of INR 60.1 Cr and H1FY26 reported an EBITDA loss of INR 69.3 Cr, reflecting the seasonal nature of the business where losses occur outside the peak Q4 period.
Capital Expenditure
The company generated INR 99.9 Cr in operating cash flow in FY25, which is utilized for investments, acquisitions, and capex. Specific planned capex figures for FY26-27 were not disclosed.
Credit Rating & Borrowing
The company is currently Net Debt Free with a net cash position of INR 103.6 Cr as of FY25. Historically, the company had a total debt of INR 225.33 Cr (Dec 2019) with an overall gearing of 0.30x. Working capital limits were utilized at approximately 61.82% to 64% during historical periods.
Operational Drivers
Raw Materials
Paper is the primary raw material, accounting for approximately 25% to 30% of total operating income.
Capacity Expansion
The company recently hived off one manufacturing unit into a step-down subsidiary to segregate publishing and printing margins. Specific capacity metrics in MT or units were not disclosed.
Raw Material Costs
Raw material costs (including purchase of traded goods) represent 25-30% of revenue. Profitability is highly susceptible to paper price volatility, which the company manages through integrated procurement processes.
Manufacturing Efficiency
The company focuses on 'conservative growth' and cash generation, maintaining a consistent operating cash flow of ~INR 100 Cr annually for the last five years.
Logistics & Distribution
Not disclosed as a specific % of revenue, but identified as a key area for cost-saving measures through consolidation.
Strategic Growth
Growth Strategy
Growth is driven by the adoption of new syllabus books under the NEP framework, expansion of digital initiatives (SmartK, TestCoach), and content licensing for AI Datasets. The company prioritizes sustainable cash generation (targeting INR 100 Cr OCF annually) over aggressive revenue growth.
Products & Services
Educational books for CBSE/ICSE schools, Digital learning platforms (SmartK, TestCoach), JEE/NEET foundation courses (Speedlabs), Financial literacy content (Money Prep), and AI Datasets for content licensing.
Brand Portfolio
S Chand, Amar Chitra Katha, Speedlabs, SmartK, TestCoach, Money Prep.
New Products/Services
Expansion into AI Datasets for content licensing (billed INR 14.2 Cr in H1FY26) and new digital offerings like Money Prep and Speedlabs.
Market Expansion
Focusing on higher adoption and enrollments in digital initiatives and expanding the catalogue offering to schools through new niche subjects.
Market Share & Ranking
Ranked as a leading pan-India player; internal benchmarking compares S Chand against 7 other major industry players on EBITDA and OCF metrics.
Strategic Alliances
Investee companies (Speedlabs, etc.) are reported as profitable in H1 and continue to build the business. The company also engages in strategic partnerships for content licensing.
External Factors
Industry Trends
The industry is shifting toward digital-hybrid models and AI-driven content. The implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) is a major catalyst for a new product cycle, though it initially caused uncertainty and lower inventory levels at the dealer level.
Competitive Landscape
Competes with 7 other major pan-India players. One competitor has significantly higher PAT margins, which management attributes to differences in product mix and segment focus.
Competitive Moat
Durable advantages include a strong brand legacy in the K-12 segment, a vast distribution network, and a robust content library. Sustainability is supported by the high switching costs for schools once a curriculum is adopted.
Macro Economic Sensitivity
Highly sensitive to government education policies (NEP) and the academic calendar. Delays in policy implementation can lead to dealer destocking and revenue declines of over 30% as seen in FY19.
Consumer Behavior
Increasing demand for digital supplements to traditional textbooks and a growing focus on foundation courses for competitive exams (JEE/NEET).
Geopolitical Risks
Not disclosed as a primary risk, as operations are largely domestic.
Regulatory & Governance
Industry Regulations
Subject to government circulars regarding school bag weight reduction and mandates for NCERT book adoption in certain schools, which can limit the number of supplementary books sold.
Taxation Policy Impact
The company has recognized deferred tax assets (net) of INR 39.93 Cr as of March 31, 2025, based on MAT credit and unabsorbed losses.
Legal Contingencies
The company maintains significant provisions for sales returns (INR 41.2 Cr) and discounts (INR 47.66 Cr) as of March 31, 2025, which are subject to management estimation and audit scrutiny.
Risk Analysis
Key Uncertainties
Seasonality risk is extreme, with >80% of revenue in Q4; any disruption in the Jan-March quarter (like COVID-19 or policy delays) can impact annual profitability by 20-30%.
Geographic Concentration Risk
Primarily focused on the Indian domestic market with a pan-India presence.
Third Party Dependencies
Increased dependency on third-party content for AI Datasets in H1FY26 led to a noticeable drop in gross margin percentages.
Technology Obsolescence Risk
Risk of traditional print books being replaced by digital; mitigated by investments in SmartK, TestCoach, and AI content licensing.
Credit & Counterparty Risk
Receivable days are a key metric; historical collection periods reached 363 days, though recent focus has been on improving working capital efficiency to maintain a net cash status.