HMT - HMT
📢 Recent Corporate Announcements
HMT Limited has confirmed the formal striking off and dissolution of its wholly owned subsidiary, HMT Watches Limited. The process, which began with an application on January 5, 2026, was finalized by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on March 2, 2026. This move is part of the government-backed plan to close non-viable units within the HMT group. The dissolution marks the end of a legacy brand's corporate existence under the parent company.
- HMT Watches Limited officially dissolved and struck off the Register of Companies on March 2, 2026
- The subsidiary was a 100% wholly owned entity of HMT Limited
- The dissolution was carried out under Section 248(2) of the Companies Act, 2013
- Initial application for striking off was filed earlier on January 5, 2026
HMT Limited has officially informed the stock exchanges regarding a delay or default in the payment of fines, penalties, and other statutory dues to authorities. This disclosure, dated February 28, 2026, suggests potential liquidity challenges or administrative bottlenecks within the organization. Such defaults often attract additional interest costs and could lead to further regulatory scrutiny or legal complications. Investors should be wary of the impact this may have on the company's credit profile and operational stability.
- HMT Limited reported a formal delay/default in settling dues and penalties to regulatory authorities.
- The announcement was filed with the exchange on February 28, 2026.
- The specific monetary value of the default was not disclosed in the brief notification.
- Potential for increased financial burden due to late payment penalties and interest charges.
HMT Limited has appointed Shri Asit Gopal as a Government Nominee Director on its Board, effective February 10, 2026. Shri Gopal is a senior Indian government officer with over 30 years of experience in public administration, finance, and various ministries. He currently holds the position of Special Secretary & Financial Advisor (SS&FA) in the Ministry of Textiles, with additional charges in several other ministries including Heavy Industries. This appointment is a routine regulatory update for the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under SEBI guidelines.
- Shri Asit Gopal appointed as Government Nominee Director effective February 10, 2026.
- The appointee brings over 30 years of experience in public administration, finance, and tribal affairs.
- Educational background includes a B.Tech from IIT Bombay and an MBA.
- Currently serves as Special Secretary & Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Textiles with oversight in Heavy Industries.
- No inter-se relationship exists between the new director and other members of the Board.
HMT Limited has announced the appointment of Shri. Asit Gopal as a Government Nominee Director on its Board of Directors. The appointment follows an order from the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) dated February 5, 2026. Shri. Gopal currently serves as the SS&FA at the Ministry of Heavy Industries. This is a standard regulatory appointment for a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and is effective immediately.
- Shri. Asit Gopal appointed as Government Nominee Director effective February 5, 2026
- Appointment made by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) until further orders
- Shri. Gopal holds the position of SS&FA within the Ministry of Heavy Industries
- Company is in the process of completing formal induction as per Companies Act, 2013
HMT Limited reported a standalone net profit of ₹6.70 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, a slight increase from ₹6.59 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. However, core revenue from operations witnessed a decline, falling to ₹5.82 crore from ₹7.31 crore year-on-year. The company's bottom line was significantly bolstered by 'Other Income,' which contributed ₹15.03 crore to the total income. For the nine-month period ended December 2025, the company recorded a net profit of ₹20.05 crore compared to ₹17.98 crore in the previous year.
- Standalone Net Profit for Q3 FY26 stood at ₹6.70 crore, up from ₹6.59 crore in Q3 FY25.
- Revenue from operations decreased by 20.4% YoY to ₹5.82 crore from ₹7.31 crore.
- Other Income of ₹15.03 crore accounted for approximately 72% of the total income of ₹20.85 crore.
- The company wrote off ₹18.07 crore as bad debt for the nine-month period regarding interest on loans to subsidiary HMT Machine Tools Ltd.
- 9M FY26 standalone net profit improved to ₹20.05 crore from ₹17.98 crore in the prior year period.
HMT Limited has submitted its compliance certificate under Regulation 74(5) of the SEBI (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018 for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. The certificate, issued by the company's Registrar and Share Transfer Agent, KFin Technologies Limited, confirms that securities dematerialized or rematerialized during this period have been properly processed. This filing is a standard regulatory requirement to ensure the accuracy of shareholding records across depositories like NSDL and CDSL. There are no financial or operational updates included in this specific announcement.
- Compliance certificate submitted for the quarter ended December 31, 2025
- Issued in accordance with Regulation 74(5) of SEBI (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
- Confirmation provided by Registrar and Share Transfer Agent (RTA) KFin Technologies Limited
- Verifies that dematerialization and rematerialization requests were handled as per regulatory norms
HMT Limited has formally filed an application with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to strike off its wholly owned subsidiary, HMT Watches Limited, from the Registrar of Companies. This action follows the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approval granted on January 6, 2016, for the closure of three non-viable subsidiaries. The filing under Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013, is a procedural step in the long-pending liquidation process of the watch division. This move is part of a broader restructuring plan to streamline HMT's operations and eliminate legacy liabilities.
- Formal application filed on January 5, 2026, for the striking-off of HMT Watches Limited.
- Follows a decade-old CCEA mandate from January 2016 to close loss-making units.
- HMT Watches Limited is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of HMT Limited.
- The closure process also includes HMT Bearings Limited and HMT Chinar Watches Limited.
HMT Limited has announced the closure of its trading window for all designated persons and their immediate relatives starting January 1, 2026. This move is in compliance with SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, ahead of the declaration of the unaudited financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The trading window will remain closed until 48 hours after the financial results are officially announced. The specific date for the board meeting to consider these results will be shared by the company at a later date.
- Trading window closure begins on January 1, 2026
- Closure is related to the Unaudited Financial Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025
- Window will reopen 48 hours after the results are declared to the stock exchanges
- Applies to all insiders, designated persons, and their immediate relatives
Financial Performance
Revenue Growth by Segment
Consolidated revenue for three subsidiaries reached INR 61.25 Cr for the half-year ended September 30, 2025. Standalone total income from continuing operations was INR 13.35 Cr for the same period, representing a significant decline from historical levels such as the INR 45.4 Cr reported in FY16, which itself was a 24.5% drop from FY15 revenue of INR 60.2 Cr.
Geographic Revenue Split
Not disclosed in available documents, though the company operates through HMT (International) Ltd for global markets.
Profitability Margins
Standalone operating profit margin increased to 75.39% in FY25 from 36.46% in FY24, primarily due to a reduction in sales volume and cost rationalization. Net profit margin stood at 61.53% in FY25, down from 50.98% in FY24, impacted by the reversal of income tax provisions in the previous year.
EBITDA Margin
Not explicitly disclosed as EBITDA, but the company reported a consolidated net loss of INR 80.20 Cr for its three subsidiaries for H1 FY26. Standalone cash loss was INR 132.3 Cr in 9MFY17, showing a history of deep operational deficits.
Capital Expenditure
Historical capital expenditure included a GOI-approved revival plan of INR 1,083.48 Cr in 2013. Recent cash flow statements for H1 FY26 show minimal purchase of property, plant, and equipment (INR 0.01 Cr), reflecting a focus on divestment rather than expansion.
Credit Rating & Borrowing
Ratings were withdrawn by CARE in October 2017 following the settlement of bank debt. Previously, the company held a 'CARE B-' rating. Borrowings as of September 30, 2025, stood at INR 1,028.59 Cr, with finance costs for the half-year at INR 2.60 Cr, a 92% reduction from INR 33.06 Cr in the previous year's period.
Operational Drivers
Raw Materials
Steel, electronic components for CNC systems, and castings (specific % of total cost not disclosed).
Capacity Expansion
No expansion planned; the company is currently in a phase of contraction and closure. Three subsidiaries (Watches, Chinar Watches, and Bearings) and the Tractor division have been closed to mitigate losses.
Raw Material Costs
Not disclosed as a specific percentage of revenue, but overall personnel costs are being managed through a reduction in workforce to 618 total employees as of March 2025.
Manufacturing Efficiency
Capacity utilization is not specified, but the company is rationalizing surplus manpower and implementing austerity measures to lower the break-even point.
Strategic Growth
Expected Growth Rate
0%
Growth Strategy
The company is not pursuing a growth strategy but rather a 'Revival and Financial Restructuring Plan' focused on closing loss-making subsidiaries (Watches, Bearings) and divisions (Tractors) to discharge liabilities. Future viability depends on the realisable value of non-current assets held for sale and continued funding from the Government of India.
Products & Services
Machine tools, printing machinery, metal forming presses, die casting plastic processing machinery, and CNC systems.
Brand Portfolio
HMT
New Products/Services
Not disclosed; focus is on existing machine tool contracts and international trade via HMT (International) Ltd.
Market Expansion
No expansion; the company is consolidating operations to Bengaluru and specific subsidiary locations.
Market Share & Ranking
Not disclosed; significantly diminished following the exit from the tractor and consumer watch markets.
Strategic Alliances
Maintains a Joint Venture with total assets of INR 0.39 Cr, which reported a marginal loss of INR 0.0071 Cr in H1 FY26.
External Factors
Industry Trends
The machine tools industry is shifting toward high-precision CNC systems; however, HMT's positioning is weakened by its negative net worth of INR 1,966.34 Cr, which limits its ability to invest in new technology shifts.
Competitive Landscape
Faces competition from private sector machine tool manufacturers and importers, though specific competitors are not named.
Competitive Moat
The primary moat is 'Sovereign Support' from the Government of India. This is sustainable only as long as the GOI continues to provide interest-free loans and grants to discharge liabilities, as the company's net worth is completely eroded.
Macro Economic Sensitivity
Highly sensitive to government policy and fiscal support, as the GOI provided INR 718.7 Cr in 2016 specifically to settle tractor division liabilities.
Consumer Behavior
Shift away from mechanical watches and older tractor models led to the total closure of those divisions.
Geopolitical Risks
Exposure via HMT (International) Ltd, though specific trade barrier impacts are not quantified.
Regulatory & Governance
Industry Regulations
Subject to Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) guidelines and CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) approvals for the closure of units and financial restructuring.
Taxation Policy Impact
The company benefited from a reversal of income tax provisions in FY24, which significantly impacted net profit margins.
Legal Contingencies
The company was fined INR 0.06 Cr (INR 6,08,880) by both BSE and NSE for non-compliance with SEBI regulations regarding the composition of the Board and Audit Committee. It is also dealing with the write-off of INR 11.97 Cr in bad debts related to inter-subsidiary loans.
Risk Analysis
Key Uncertainties
The complete erosion of net worth (Negative INR 1,966.34 Cr) creates a material uncertainty regarding the 'Going Concern' status, which is currently mitigated only by government support.
Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentrated in India, with manufacturing primarily in Bengaluru and through subsidiaries.
Third Party Dependencies
Critical dependency on the Government of India for financial assistance to discharge liabilities and VRS payments.
Technology Obsolescence Risk
High risk in the machine tools segment if the company cannot fund R&D to keep pace with global CNC and automation standards.
Credit & Counterparty Risk
High risk; the company had to write off INR 11.97 Cr of interest from its own subsidiary, HMT Machine Tools Ltd, as it was deemed unrealisable.