Maruti Suzuki Q4 preview: Brokerages expect slim revenue growth, profit dip

Further details about the expanded Toyota - Suzuki - Maruti partnership, update on demand scenario, channel inventory, discounting trends and new launches will be key moniterables

Maruti Suzuki will release its fourth quarter (January-March) results of the financial year 2018-19 (FY19) on Thursday. Brokerages expect the company to report slim revenue growth due to weak volume and average sale price (ASP) growth -- factors that have plagued the entire auto sector -- and a slip in net profit.

Automobile industry delivered a subdued volume performance in 4QFY19 with single-digit year-on-year (YoY) volume decline across segments led by spill-over effect of muted festive season, which resulted into higher inventory at the beginning of the quarter. Moreover, weak demand led to lower quarterly retail offtake.

"We believe