Hindustan Media (HMVL) | News Based Sentiment Analysis

• On September 18, 2025, HT Media Group reported its Q1 FY26 results, showing consolidated revenues of INR 451 crores – a 6% year-over-year increase. However, they also reported a net loss of INR 11 crores, though this loss was a 59% improvement over the previous year, indicating positive momentum in cost management. This suggests the company is working towards profitability despite current challenges.
• The Print business was a key driver of performance, with revenues increasing 8% to INR 324 crores, fueled by a 17% jump in advertising revenues to INR 255 crores. Specifically, English segment advertising revenue grew by 19% to INR 140 crores, and the Hindi segment saw a 14% increase to INR 116 crores, demonstrating strong demand across both platforms.
• Despite positive trends in Print and Digital, the Radio business continued to struggle, with revenues declining to INR 31 crores from INR 36 crores. The company is strategically shifting towards non-free commercial time revenue to address this, signaling a potential pivot in their radio strategy.
• HMVL’s share price experienced volatility throughout the month, closing at ₹84.93 on September 20, 2025, a 1.30% decrease from ₹86.05, and further declining to ₹83.54 by September 26, 2025, down 1.11% from ₹84.47. This volatility reflects market reactions to the Q1 results and broader economic conditions.
• HMVL held its 15th Annual General Meeting on September 25, 2025, with 53 members in attendance, receiving a 'Sell' technical sentiment signal. Market capitalization at the time was ₹632 Crores.
• Looking at the full fiscal year 2025 (ending March 31, 2025), HMVL reported Total Revenue of ₹732.89 Crores and Net Income of ₹77.78 Crores, with a Diluted Normalized EPS of ₹10.53. Employee costs accounted for 24.57% of operating revenues.
• In the quarter ending June 2025, HMVL recorded Total Income of ₹209.71 Crores, but experienced a Quarter-on-Quarter revenue decline of 17.46%, the lowest in three years. Total Expenses were ₹196.47 Crores, resulting in an EBIT of ₹13.24 Crores.

The Investment Story: September was a month of mixed signals for HMVL, with strong performance in Print offsetting weakness in Radio and overall revenue declines in the June quarter. Share price volatility added to the uncertainty, despite improvements in cost management and a positive trend in advertising revenue.

What It Means for Investors: The Q1 results and FY2025 performance indicate HMVL is making progress, but the net loss and Radio segment weakness highlight ongoing risks. The declining share price and 'Sell' sentiment signal suggest caution, while the low P/E ratio of 7.1 could present an opportunity for value investors.

Looking Ahead: Investors should closely monitor the performance of the Radio and Digital segments in the coming quarters, as well as track the share price. The recent declines and negative sentiment suggest a need for sustained improvement to regain investor confidence.

The Bottom Line: Hindustan Media Ventures remains a cautiously optimistic investment. While the company is showing signs of improvement, sustained profitability and successful navigation of challenges in the Radio segment are essential for unlocking its full potential.