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Avenue Supermarts, the operator of the popular DMart retail chain, delivered a strong operational performance in Q3FY26, surprising the Street with significantly higher-than-expected profitability. While revenue growth remained moderate, sharp improvement in margins helped the company report robust growth in EBITDA and profit, triggering mixed reactions from brokerages.
The results highlight a critical shift in DMart’s near-term narrative from pure growth to profitability and margin discipline.
DMart’s third-quarter performance reflected resilience in a challenging consumption environment, especially amid deflation in staples.
The EBITDA growth came in sharply ahead of analyst expectations of 8 to 10 percent, marking a clear operational beat.
The standout feature of the quarter was the improvement in margins.
Management attributed the margin expansion to better sourcing efficiencies and changes in discounting strategies. Reduced price competition in certain categories and benefits from GST rate adjustments also supported gross margins.
Under the current management approach, DMart appears to be prioritising profit stability over aggressive discounting, especially as competition intensifies from quick commerce players.
However, this shift has also raised questions about sustainability, particularly in a price-sensitive retail market like India.
DMart continued its steady store expansion strategy.
While these metrics reflect stable performance, they also point to moderating same-store growth, a concern flagged by several brokerages.
DMart Ready, the company’s online grocery platform, showed signs of revival.
Brokerage estimates suggest around 20% year-on-year growth, marking a return to a healthier trajectory after a period of muted performance. This is encouraging, especially as competition from quick commerce platforms continues to intensify.
That said, analysts remain cautious about long-term scalability and margin impact in the online segment.
CLSA reiterated its High Conviction Outperform rating and raised its price target to ₹6,185. The brokerage increased its FY26 to FY28 earnings estimates by up to 7 percent, citing stronger-than-expected profitability and operational efficiency.
Citi maintained a Sell rating with a price target of ₹3,150. It flagged concerns that the margin expansion could be driven by one-off factors such as inventory liquidation by FMCG companies ahead of GST changes.
Citi also highlighted that DMart’s profit growth has lagged revenue growth in most quarters over the past three years due to competitive pressures and rising costs.
Nuvama retained a Hold rating with a target price of ₹4,351. While it acknowledged the near-term margin improvement, the brokerage remains cautious on long-term growth, trimming revenue assumptions while upgrading near-term profitability forecasts.
Out of 29 analysts tracking Avenue Supermarts:
This split reflects the broader debate between earnings visibility versus valuation comfort.
Shares of Avenue Supermarts ended 0.45% higher at ₹3,807 following the results. The stock is up 1.2% year-to-date, underperforming broader market benchmarks, reflecting investor caution despite strong earnings.
For long-term investors, DMart remains a high-quality retail franchise with strong execution and balance sheet discipline. However, current valuations already price in a significant portion of future growth.
Short-term performance will likely hinge on:
SEBI’s disclosure norms ensure transparency, but investors must still evaluate whether recent margin gains are cyclical or structural.
In stocks like DMart, where fundamentals are strong but valuations are debated, research-backed decision-making becomes critical. Understanding earnings quality, margin drivers, and long-term competitive positioning helps investors avoid emotional reactions to headline numbers.
Platforms offering in-depth research and professional guidance can significantly improve investment outcomes in such cases.
Swastika Investmart supports investors with:
Such support enables investors to interpret results beyond surface-level numbers.
Yes, EBITDA growth of over 20% was significantly higher than analyst estimates of 8 to 10 percent.
While profitability improved, concerns remain about margin sustainability and slowing same-store growth.
Yes, DMart Ready reported an implied growth of around 20% year-on-year, indicating a revival.
DMart remains a strong business, but current valuations and competitive pressures warrant a cautious, research-driven approach.
DMart’s Q3FY26 results highlight a strong profitability surprise, driven by margin expansion and disciplined execution. However, sustainability of these gains remains the key question, as reflected in mixed brokerage views.
For investors, this is a stock that demands careful analysis rather than blind optimism.
If you are looking to invest with clarity, supported by strong research and expert insights, consider starting your journey with Swastika Investmart.
In markets, informed decisions always outperform noise.


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