Keystone Realtors Limited Q3 FY26 Earnings Call Summary

Keystone Realtors (Rustomjee) delivered a steady Q3 FY26, characterized by ₹837 crores in presales and a strategic pivot toward large-scale cluster redevelop...

Summary

Keystone Realtors Limited - Q3 FY26 Earnings Call Summary Wednesday, February 04, 2026 4:00 PM

Event Participants

Executives 4 Boman Irani (CMD), Chandresh Mehta (ED), Percy Chowdhry (ED), Sajal Gupta (Group CFO)

Analysts 4 Abhir Pandit, Krish, Pritesh Sheth, Sumit Kumar

Financials & KPIs

Metric Reported Commentary
Presales (Q3) ₹837 crores Tracking in line with expectations to meet annual targets.
Presales (YTD) ₹2,676 crores +23% YoY; Represents steady growth trajectory toward ₹4,000 Cr FY26 target.
Revenue (Q3) ₹266 crores Consolidated revenue from operations for the quarter.
Revenue (YTD) ₹1,039 crores Cumulative 9-month revenue performance.
Gross Margin (YTD) 35% +300 bps YoY from 32% in FY25; driven by value transformation in premium segments.
Operating Cash Flow (YTD) ₹229 crores Lowered by increased construction spend and heavy launch activity in Year 1 cycles.
Construction Spend (YTD) ₹718 crores +18% YoY; reflective of increased site activity across 5 new launches.
Gross Debt ₹625 crores Debt-to-equity ratio remains low at 0.22:1; significant headroom for growth.
Liquidity ₹717 crores Free cash position as of Dec 31, 2025; Company remains net cash positive.
Completions (YTD) 1.98 Mn Sq. Ft. 3 projects completed (Belle Vue, Paramount F Wing, Crown Tower C).

Geographic & Segment Commentary

  • Redevelopment & Clusters: The company added its 4th major cluster project in Q3 (Lokhandwala), bringing the total cluster GDV to ~₹12,500 crores. These projects (Lokhandwala, GTB Nagar, Dindoshi, Malad West) focus on creating gated communities with superior amenities and higher incentive FSI under Regulation 33(9).
  • Commercial Segment: Strategic expansion into Grade A commercial spaces is underway with the launch of “33Fifteen” in Bandra West (GDV ₹950 crores, 18% sold). Future pipeline includes Prabhadevi (GDV ₹1,150 crores) and a 1.8 million sq. ft. walk-to-work development at the Urbania township in Thane.
  • Premium Housing (MMR): Focus remains on the Western Suburbs and South-Central Mumbai (Sewri/Prabhadevi). The company has added 26 projects since FY23, of which 21 are in premium segments, capturing value through urban consolidation.

Company-Specific & Strategic Commentary

  • Asset-Light BD Model: Management maintains a strict 10% upfront equity-to-GDV threshold for new projects, targeting 35% gross margins.
  • Execution Velocity: Go-to-market timelines have been compressed to 8-12 months from Development Agreement (DA) to launch (e.g., Stella at 8 months, Panorama at 11 months).
  • Market Share & Positioning: The company has nearly doubled its market share this year and secured a credit rating of A+ (Positive) from India Ratings.
  • ESG Integration: Achieved Net Zero Carbon awards for Belle Vue and initiated GRESB pre-assessments, aligning with a vision for sustainable “future-ready” communities.

Guidance & Outlook

Metric Guidance / Outlook Commentary
Presales ₹4,000 crores (FY26) Confident in achievement following Q4 launch of high-value Sewri and Bandstand projects.
Growth Trajectory 25% YoY (FY27) Management targets consistent 25% annual growth while maintaining cautious forecasting.
Business Development ₹850 - ₹1,000 crores (FY27) Estimated spend on new project acquisitions, funded via 40% debt and 60% internal accruals.
Operating Cash Flow Upward trend (H2 FY27) Expected to pick up as Year 1 launch investments stabilize and collections from new projects mature.

Risks & Constraints

Risk Context
Regional Pricing Resistance Projects like Balmoral (Chembur) face slow initial absorption as market “digests” new premium price benchmarks. Management is relying on sample flat completion and competitor launches to validate pricing.
Execution Complexity Cluster redevelopments are inherently more complex than standalone buildings. While they offer higher margins, they require extensive multi-stakeholder management and high-power committee clearances.
Cash Flow Timing Heavy front-loading of construction and approval costs for 5+ launches has temporarily constrained OCF. Sustained performance depends on maintaining a 75-80% collection-to-presales efficiency.

Q&A Highlights

Cluster Redevelopment Strategy

  • Question: What distinguishes cluster redevelopment (33(9)) from normal society redevelopment (33(7)(B))? (Sumit Kumar)
  • Answer: Cluster development provides higher incentive FSI for developers and larger rehabilitation areas for residents. It allows for gated communities with 5-6 acre layouts vs. standalone 2,000 sqm plots, improving car parking and amenity efficiency (Chandresh Mehta/Boman Irani).

OCF and Collection Efficiency

  • Question: Why has OCF seen a sharp reduction this quarter despite stable revenue? (Ritwik Sheth)
  • Answer: Year 1 of a new project typically does not contribute to OCF due to upfront costs. With 5 launches totaling ₹5,835 crores GDV, construction and approval spend has increased significantly. OCF is expected to normalize by H2 FY27 (Sajal Gupta).

Pricing at Balmoral (Chembur)

  • Question: Is sales progress slower at the Balmoral project due to price points? (Pritesh Sheth)
  • Answer: Market absorption for these premium prices takes time. Management expects traction to improve once the sample apartment is ready and after other premium developers launch nearby, validating the micro-market’s price elevation (Boman Irani).

Growth and Funding

  • Question: How will the company fund ₹1,000 crores in BD spend for FY27 if cash is deployed? (Ritwik Sheth)
  • Answer: Funding will be a mix of roughly 40% debt and 60% internal accruals. The company maintains a conservative 0.22x leverage, providing significant headroom to borrow if necessary (Chandresh Mehta).

Key Takeaway

Keystone Realtors (Rustomjee) delivered a steady Q3 FY26, characterized by ₹837 crores in presales and a strategic pivot toward large-scale cluster redevelopments and marquee commercial projects. The company has surpassed its annual business development guidance by 1.44x, adding ₹8,650 crores in GDV YTD. While heavy upfront investments in 5 new launches have temporarily constrained operating cash flows, the balance sheet remains robust with a net cash positive position and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22:1. Management remains committed to a 25% annual growth trajectory, supported by a transition to high-margin (35%) premium projects and improved go-to-market speed. For FY27, the focus shifts to maintaining execution momentum at the Lokhandwala and Thane clusters while capitalizing on the infrastructure-led demand in the MMR region.

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