Motilal Oswal on Bharat Forge: Rising caution
Motilal Oswal said the company’s key export engine, the US Class-8 truck market, remains subdued. Demand has not picked up the way manufacturers had hoped, and the brokerage does not expect a sustained recovery until the second half of 2026. The report noted that without a broader trade arrangement and stronger fleet orders, export visibility stays limited.### Blinkit CEO's Bubble Alert: Quick Commerce's High-Octane Ride Hits the Brakes
In a candid Bloomberg interview that's rippling through India's startup corridors, Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa has thrown cold water on the ultra-fast delivery frenzy, warning that the sector's "imbalance" between sky-high valuations and profitability could trigger a "swift correction" in the coming months. With players like Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and BigBasket locked in a discount-fueled arms race, Dhindsa's caution—echoing a potential 6-month countdown—signals investor fatigue with the cash-burn model that's powered 10-minute grocery dashes but left balance sheets in the red. Blinkit itself, Zomato's quick commerce arm, posted a 140% YoY revenue jump to $113 million in Q1 FY26, yet it's expanding to 3,000 dark stores by FY27 amid persistent losses. This isn't doom-mongering; it's a reality check for a market that's ballooned into India's top 3 globally, thanks to dense urban sprawl and digital payments, but now faces a shakeout that could weed out the weak.
#### Core Concerns: Dhindsa's Wake-Up Call
Dhindsa didn't mince words on the fundraising treadmill that's kept the sector sprinting:
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Key Quote** | “Usually when this kind of imbalance exists, the correction is very swift. It often catches people by surprise.” (On the gap between valuations and profits.) |
| **Sector Imbalance** | Relentless capital inflows (billions from SoftBank, Temasek, Middle East funds) fueled expansion, but deep discounts and competition are eroding margins. Demand may be "discount-driven" rather than sticky. |
| **Blinkit's Stance** | Confident in path to profitability; pushing aggressive growth despite losses. "The model is reaching its limits," but they're not slowing down. |
| **Broader Risks** | Investor caution rising—e.g., Swiggy's $1.1B share sale post-$1.3B IPO debut; Zepto's $450M raise ahead of 2026 IPO. A correction could "distinguish genuine demand from artificial." |
#### Quick Commerce Snapshot: Growth vs. Grind
India's q-comm scene has exploded, outpacing Europe and Japan with efficient 10-min networks. But the math's getting ugly:
| Metric | Figure | Context |
|--------|--------|---------|
| **Market Size/Growth** | 50% YoY revenue growth projected | Driven by urban density, low labor costs; now a $5B+ experiment globally. |
| **Blinkit Expansion** | 1,816 dark stores → 3,000 by FY27 | Q1 FY26 revenue: $113M (+140% YoY), but losses mount from scaling. |
| **Competitor Moves** | Swiggy: 'Mega Savings Festival' (zero fees Oct-Nov); Zepto: Free delivery >₹99 | Hyper-competitive; Zomato raised billions as a "war chest" against disruptors. |
| **Valuation Pressure** | Swiggy QIP: ₹10,000 Cr (~$1.2B) | High multiples discount profits to FY30; bubble risks if funding dries up. |
#### X Buzz & Market Echoes
On X, the chatter's a mix of alarm and opportunism—posts flag the "interesting time ahead" with Zepto as the wildcard disruptor, while others tie it to broader tech resets like Microsoft's $17.5B India AI bet. One analyst quipped: "Valuations discounting profit for FY30... Sector revenue growth is 50%," but warned of a brewing storm. Shares in Zomato (Blinkit's parent) dipped 1-2% today amid Nifty's flat close, with quick commerce now 20% of its biz. Globally, parallels to Uber Eats' early wars suggest survivors will emerge leaner, but India's unique scale could cushion the fall—or amplify it.
Dhindsa's not calling time on quick commerce; he's urging a pivot to sustainable plays. For investors and founders: Trim the hype, stack real margins. If this burst hits, it'll be the sector's Darwin moment—fastest isn't always fittest. What's your take: Bubble or brief breather?Motilal Oswal also pointed out that Bharat Forge continues to carry the drag from its European units. Energy and labour costs remain high, and the older plant setups make it harder to absorb these costs quickly. The management has been reviewing options, including moving some production to India, but the brokerage said investors will have to wait until the March quarter of FY26 for real clarity.
Motilal Oswal on Bharat Forge: Near-term strain
The domestic commercial vehicle market offered some comfort during the festival period, especially in light and small trucks. But the base remains high and the outlook for the last quarter of the year looks mixed. Bharat Forge itself has sounded cautious about whether demand can sustain. Motilal Oswal believes this slows the path to volume recovery because both domestic and export engines are not firing together.
Motilal Oswal’s top 3 defence sector picks with up to 32% upside potential – Check full list
This strain extends to the aluminium-forging vertical as well. K-Drive Mobility, acquired to widen the company’s product range, came with a legacy order that carries very thin margins. The unit also has a five-year non-compete in North America, which means the company cannot immediately chase one of the biggest markets for aluminium components. The brokerage said that while performance will improve eventually, it will not solve the next-quarter problem.
Motilal Oswal on Bharat Forge: Limited headroom
The brokerage said the company’s defence order book, shown in different places as around Rs 11,400 crore and Rs 9,500 crore, remains a strength but will take time to convert into steady revenue. The large ATAGS order, for example, is expected to move into production only by FY27. The carbine contract will add scale but again needs ramp-up time. The story is moving, but slowly.
Aerospace continues to grow from a small base. Revenue is expected to rise to more than Rs 350 crore in FY26 from around Rs 250 crore in FY25. It is a promising line, but still not large enough to offset weakness in trucks and Europe.
Motilal Oswal on Bharat Forge: Muted outlook
According to the brokerage, consolidated revenue is estimated to reach Rs 16,360 crore in FY26 from about Rs 14,530 crore the previous year, while EBITDA is projected to climb to Rs 1,760 crore from roughly Rs 1,600 crore. Profit is expected to rise to Rs 1,210 crore from around Rs 1,030 crore. The growth is there, but it is not dramatic and not enough to change the near-term picture.
