DB Corp Q1 profit recovers 54% QoQ

DB Corp Limited reported a mixed set of numbers for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Q1FY26), with revenue seeing a year-on-year decline due to a high base effect, while profitability improved sequentially on the back of cost control and easing newsprint prices.

Year-on-Year (YoY) comparison

Revenue from operations stood at Rs 559.45 crore in Q1FY26, down 5.74% from Rs 589.85 crore in Q1FY25. Total income, including other income, declined 4.71% to Rs 587.23 crore, compared to Rs 616.26 crore in the same quarter last year.

Net profit fell 31.42% year-on-year to Rs 80.84 crore, from Rs 117.87 crore. Advertising revenue was reported at Rs 397.8 crore, a 7% decline from the election-fuelled base of Q1FY25. Excluding the election-driven boost, the company stated that advertising revenue saw single-digit growth on a like-for-like basis.

Segment-wise, the Printing, Publishing and Allied Business generated Rs 520.59 crore in Q1FY26, down from Rs 551.63 crore in Q1FY25. The Radio segment posted revenue of Rs 39.04 crore, marginally higher than Rs 38.64 crore in the same quarter last year.

Over a three-year period, D.B. Corp recorded a 13% CAGR in advertisement revenue, rising from Rs 1,182.7 crore in FY22 to Rs 1,689.9 crore in FY25. PAT has grown at a 38% CAGR from Rs 142.6 crore to Rs 371 crore over the same period.

Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) comparison

Compared to Q4FY25, revenue from operations increased 2.15% from Rs 547.66 crore. Total income also rose 3.61% sequentially.

Net profit grew 54.45% from Rs 52.33 crore in the preceding quarter to Rs 80.84 crore in Q1FY26.

Print business EBITDA margin expanded by 800 basis points to 31%, with EBITDA rising to Rs 164.7 crore, a 45% QoQ increase. This was supported by cost efficiencies and a 1% sequential decline in average newsprint cost, which stood at Rs 47,100 per metric tonne in Q1FY26 versus Rs 47,400 in Q4FY25.

Revenue from the Printing, Publishing and Allied Business increased from Rs 510.31 crore in Q4 to Rs 520.59 crore, while the Radio segment rose from Rs 37.59 crore to Rs 39.04 crore.

Circulation held steady during the typically weak summer quarter and even grew in select states, supported by targeted engagement schemes and field-level acquisition efforts.

Commenting on the performance, Sudhir Agarwal, Managing Director, DB Corp Ltd, said: “Despite a high base effect from last year’s general elections, which had driven a temporary surge in advertising revenues, our core performance remained steady – supported by stable advertising trends, soft newsprint prices, and disciplined cost structures. Our digital business continues to scale rapidly, with Monthly Active Users reaching the 22 million mark this quarter – reinforcing our position as India’s leading Indian language news app platform."

He added, “We believe the Government’s continued focus on enhancing disposable incomes through income tax rationalisation, softening of interest rates, and the anticipated implementation of the 8th Pay Commission later this fiscal, will further stimulate economic activity, particularly across Tier II and beyond markets. This is expected to provide a strong tailwind to Bharat’s consumption story. Backed by our deep editorial strength, hyperlocal relevance, and continuous product innovation, we remain confident in our ability to drive sustainable growth across both print and digital platforms, while delivering long-term value to all stakeholders.”