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J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Earnings Call Analysis
Q3-2024 Analysis
J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd
The company reported a revenue increase of 7% year-over-year, reaching INR 845 crores. However, excluding the business in South Africa, the revenue growth would have been more robust at 10% for Q3 FY '24 and 14% for the first nine months of FY '24, indicating strategic choices impacting international business segments.
Impressively, domestic revenues were up by 14%, contributing to a handsome growth to INR 462 crores in Q3 FY '24. This growth was significantly bolstered by performance in the chronic and acute segments. Additionally, the company observed an increased operating EBITDA margin, which stood at 27.8% for the quarter compared to the previous year. The company attributes this margin expansion to cost optimization efforts and a favorable product mix, leading to a 530 basis points improvement in gross margins.
The company's brand, Sporlac, joined the INR 100 crores brand club, marking a significant milestone in its portfolio. Furthermore, the company is venturing into the ophthalmology segment by partnering with Novartis, showcasing a strategic move towards augmenting its product offerings.
In the international sphere, the company reported a revenue of INR 383 crores in Q3 FY '24 despite a modest dip due to seasonal slowness. Looking forward, however, there's optimism as the company indicates a healthy order book for the forthcoming quarters, particularly in the branded generic business where optimistic prospects are maintained. Kudos to the company's international formulation business growth, especially outside South Africa, which was recorded at 6% over the nine months of FY '24.
Regarding the South African business, strategic rationalization will persist until at least the end of quarter 1. The company is currently undergoing a transition, with private businesses now contributing about 60%, reversing the prior dynamic where public ventures were more dominant. This shift is part of a deliberate approach to enhance their position in the private market and consider expansion into consumer sectors, despite this contributing to a temporary dip in international revenues.
The management remains confident in their growth strategy, projecting the U.S. business to grow from $30 million to $50 million over the next 2-3 years. Similarly, the company's CMO business, while observing a minor dip in Q3, is expected to reach INR 100 crores in quarter 4 and grow to around $100 million over the next 3-5 years, supported by expansion into new geographies like Mexico, Brazil, and parts of Europe, and therapeutic segments.
The aforementioned gross margin improvements were realized due to a softening of rates early in the fiscal year, with the full benefits expected to manifest in subsequent quarters. As part of its leadership changes, the company appointed a new CFO, Mr. Narayan Saraf, in February 2024. This management change could indicate a strong focus on financial stewardship going forward.
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Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to J.B. Pharma's Q3 FY '24 Earnings Conference Call as on the 7th of February 2024. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Jason D'Souza, Executive Vice President, J.B. Pharma. Thank you, and over to you, sir.
Thank you, Ryan. Welcome to the earnings call of J.B. Pharma. We have with us today, Nikhil Chopra, CEO and Whole Time Director; Kunal Khanna, President Operations; at J.B. Capital and Pharmaceuticals Limited. Before we begin, I would like to state that some of the statements in today's discussion may be forward-looking in nature and may involve certain risks and uncertainties. A detailed statement in this regard is available in the Q3 FY '24 results presentation that has been sent to you earlier. I would like to hand over the floor to Mr. Nikhil Chopra to begin the proceedings of the call and for his opening comments. Over to you.
Thank you, Jason, and good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us today on J.B. Pharma's earnings discussion for Q3 and 9 months FY '24. During today's interaction, I shall cover progress made by the business during the quarter, the imperatives that lie ahead and underlying the strategy for the growth. I will commence with Q3 results, where, yet again, our domestic business has stood ahead of our -- of the market in terms of performance. Let me bring up highlights of Q3 FY '24 results.
We reported revenues of INR 845 crores, up 7% year-over-year -- year-on-year. The overall revenue growth was impacted by strategic choices made in international business, especially South Africa. Excluding South Africa business, our revenue grew by 10% in Q3 FY '24 and 14% in 9 months FY '24. However, while the strategic decision impacted our top line, it boosted operating margins for overall business.
Further, given our cost optimization efforts and favorable product mix, we also saw a marked improvement in gross margins by 530 bps in Q3 FY '24 versus Q3 FY '23. We reported considerable gains in operating EBITDA margins, which stood at 27.8% in Q3 FY '24.
Turning the attention towards domestic business, we saw a handsome growth of 14% to INR 462 crores in Q3 FY '24, which was on the back of continued traction in the chronic segment and recovery in acute business. J.B. Pharma stood as the fastest-growing company within top 25 in IPM as per IQVIA MAT December 2023 that are growing at 16% versus 10% IPM growth. With focus on chronic therapies and life cycle management, we have further enhanced our market rankings for our all key brands, which has been shared in the investor presentation deck.
The acquired portfolio is also showing a traction, and we are already looking at Sporlac as 1 of the big brand to be in INR 100 crores brand club. It too has jumped 30 ranks year-on-year, standing to date 331 the rank as per IQVIA MAT December 2023 data. If one looks at Sporlac franchise units in totality, this is now INR 121 crore portfolio as reported in IQVIA MAT December 2023 data. In keeping with our strategy of having leading brands within our offering, we entered the ophthalmology segment via our agreements with Novartis. We will now rank among the top 4 players in the covered market in ophthalmology segment.
We have a strong portfolio of leadership brands in this segment, with 5 of the brands being at #1 position and another 4 in top 3 in their respective molecule market segments. We remain excited about this portfolio because ophthalmology segment is expected to outpace IPM growth consistently. The deal is in line with our thesis of entering into high-growth progressive portfolio segments with high market share in the IPM. Over there, I would like to emphasize that in the past 3 years, we have managed to transition the India domestic business from operating in stable, less growth segments to now operating majorly in progressive segments. If you notice, our CVM is growing at 12%, that is covered market for J.B. growing at 12% and J.B. domestic business within that CVM is growing at 16%. The covered market growing at 12% is 200 bps higher than IPM, indicating the progressive nature of India business.
This will ensure sustainability of India business growth for a longer period of time. The addition of ophthal portfolio will only increase our CVM growth opportunity, all this points to a progressive portfolio for India market, which I emphasized upon joining the organization 3 years ago.
Moving on to the international business. We reported a revenue of INR 383 crores in quarter 3 FY '24. This includes South Africa, which, when we exclude the business, has reported a modest growth in moreover. CDMO, moreover has seen a minor dip during the period, going to base effect of quarter 3 last year, historically being a slow season for the business. However, I'm happy to share that the order book for the forthcoming quarters for CDMO looks very healthy. The export branded business -- export branded generic business is doing very well and remain optimistic about that part of the business in international markets.
I will share key pointers for our 9-month performance now. The 9-month FY '24 revenues rose by 10% to INR 2,622 crores. This comprised domestic revenue of INR 1,432 crores, up 14% given impactful execution of our strategies. The international business saw formulation growth of 6% to INR 802 crores during 9 months of FY '24 on the backing of strong exports in RoW market.
Strategic decisions regarding South Africa business continued to impact the international revenues, excluding which the growth was in double digits. Our operating EBITDA, excluding ESOP charge in 9-month period came in at INR 729 crores, while the margin stood for -- at 27.8% for the 9 months FY '24.
Going forward, execution is going to be the key in such a volatile environment, and we are in a position to respond with agility in terms of portfolio and business mix decisions. J.B. Pharma will continue to pursue growth in domestic market, led by [indiscernible]. You have seen the momentum of our brands, brand-focused approach, both on organic and acquired portfolio basis. Along with the domestic business, our CDMO business will also remain the area of focus, as mentioned earlier.
Looking forward, we would like to continue focusing on strengthening our brands in domestic market and making them bigger while focusing on the recently acquired portfolio. Internationally, we are ramping up our CDMO business. We have seen a good traction of our innovative offerings and also have identified opportunities in our RoW markets. We run a healthy balance sheet and our cash flow position continues to be strong.
With this, I would also like to inform that we have appointed our new CFO, Mr. Narayan Saraf, effective from Feb 23, 2024. Mr. Saraf is a qualified chartered accountant and cost accountant and has 2 decades of work experience in the field of finance and accounts working with companies like ONGC, Indus, Unilever, Cipla and Thermo Fisher India Private Limited.
With this, I will conclude my opening remarks and wish to open the quorum for questions and answers. Thank you all for patiently hearing.
[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Rashmi Shetty from Dolat Capital.
Congratulations on good set of number. Sir, on your ophthal portfolio, if you can give more color on it that since it is an in-license drug, what impact it will have on the GC, that is gross margin on an annual basis from the current levels? And also your other expenses or employee cost is expected to go up because of this portfolio in terms of promotion, marketing, and you have also hired 75 to 80 MRs. So if you can give more picture on how the EBITDA margin could look like FY '25, '26? And also, this will be reflecting in quarter 4, so your EBITDA margin, excluding the ESOP of 25% to 27% impact in FY '24?
So in case of ophthalmology portfolio, and this is for the group, we would like to reserve our comments. But what I can speak right now, it's a starting point. We would like to get our hands get to understand the business better in first 100 days, that is quarter 4, starting quarter 4, and it has been 15, 20 days of operation. It's a -- as reported in [ IMF ], it's a INR 200 crore business. And the portfolio that we are present is in more interval of glaucoma, NSAIDs, anti-allergic, that is where we stand.
Overall, from a guidance perspective, including our ophthalmology portfolio, which we have bought in, our guidance continue to remain 25% to 27% for the coming year also. More color on ophthalmology once we get to know the market better, we'll be able to talk about it post our quarter 4 results.
Sir, in this 25% to 27%, you're talking about the operating margin, right, excluding the ESOP?
Yes, is. Right now, what I spoke about 25%, 28%, the guidance remains same.
Okay. And related to your international formulation business in South Africa, this rationalization activity will take how long? Whether it will be continued in FY '25 also? If you can give that picture. Also, currently, in South Africa business, what is the mix now after rationalization of the ratio between your private as well as the tender business? Because earlier, it was around 50:50?
So earlier, it was 40:60, 40 was private and 60 was public. This rationalization will continue till end of quarter 1. Next couple of quarters, you should see that impact. And I'm happy to share that this $30 million business that we are doing in South Africa this year, the contribution has reversed. Now, the Private is contributing around 60% and public is contributing around 40%. That is where we stand, and we have -- we are looking at more and more opportunities, how do we improve our share in private market, how do we get into some consumer business? We have launched some of our own losses in South Africa market. So once all those things start to -- start contributing, we'll be sharing more color on that.
Okay, sir. And excluding South Africa in the international formulation business is -- you're getting any prospects from the U.S. because their price erosion seems to be softening and overall improvement in the market dynamics. So is the U.S. business becoming sizable or it is the same?
Our U.S. business is around $30 million. And earlier also, what we have mentioned in our earlier commentaries, we conceptually, the model is a cost-plus model where we have -- we, as a company-owned 15 ANDAs and we have been filing more to find us every year. Eventually, in a couple of years, 2, 3 years, we should see this business from $30 million going to $50 million. No plans in terms of getting directly representation in U.S. business. And this is where we stand. Our aspirations are not that big for the U.S. business.
Got it, sir. And one last question. You have given a CVM growth of 12% in the domestic business. Can you give the CVM market share also?
Market share, I can come back to you, but it's a good opportunity size CVM presence that we have got. But offline, we'll be more than happy to share it with you in the current time.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Tausif Shaikh from BNP Paribas.
Congrats on a good set of numbers. My first question is on the outselling segment. Say, existing brands doesn't have any product for diet segment and which I believe is one of the largest segments in the total at [indiscernible]. And in the previous comment, you have said, the [indiscernible] agreement doesn't stop you for launching an new products. So any comments on those seeing do you have any near-term plans to launch dry products?
Which products? Dry...
Dry, yes. In dry category.
So earlier, I think what I shared, Les, I think you should -- you will have to excuse us for comments coming into the ophthalmology opportunity, what I said earlier. Let us get to understand we are using this time period to understand the market better and post our quarter 4 results probably in our quarter 4 commentary, results, we'll be happy to share more details in the coming time.
Okay. And second question on our M&A strategy now with Novartis segment in 2027, I think it's 2 years from now. What is the M&A strategy for FY '25? Are you still looking for assets to be acquired?
Yes, yes. We are looking at opportunities and tomorrow, we have a team, M&A team who continue to evaluate assets and then there's an opportunity, we 100% are looking at it. And as and when everything comes substantial comes, we'll be more than happy to share with.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Alka Katiyar from Baroda BNP Paribas.
Sir, if you can comment on your order book visibility for CMO?
So our CMO business average is around INR 100 crores a quarter. And I think there was a minor dip in quarter 3. That is -- that happens every year. So it is not a worry. Probably, I think quarter 4, we should be close to INR 100 crores. And the way we have planned our business getting into new geographies, which is part of our Mexico, Brazil, some parts of Europe, getting into new therapeutic segments, more partners, this business -- the guidance that we have given for this business in the coming time, which is around close to $50 million, 3 to 5 years, you should see this business going to $100 million.
Fair enough. And just if you can -- like we have seen a Q-o-Q gross margin expansion about 140 bps. So what were the major key drivers?
So as we had mentioned during the last call, some softening of rates, which have happened around Q1, the actual benefit of that we would be realizing later in Q2 and majorly in Q3. So that's the key driver for improvement in gross margin profile.
The next question is from the line of Dheeresh Pathak WhiteOak.
Sir, what was the organic growth this quarter in domestic business?
Pretty much what we see. Everything is organic and inorganic on mine because all our acquisitions are in the base right now.
But maybe I have a wrong understanding this Denmark Basel portfolio, this was not in the base, side.
So that's not making much of a difference to our overall growth numbers.
There will be INR 15 crores, right? It's at 4 percentage points to the growth.
No, no. But then there is an impact of our model. So I think that's what I was trying to mention.
I didn't understand, Jason, what did you say?
Net-net, what we are trying to share with you that everything that we are counting is a part of now organic growth. So that is what you should take as a commentary.
No, sir, this is not very clear because if you can just explain whether it was part of the base and not part of the base?
So part of the...
Part of the base, not part of the base ex of reason, what is the growth?
Part of recent billing was already included because it was acquired in the month of December. There was some billing, which was included, right? What you have to neutralize is overall impact of close to INR 6.5 crores to INR 7 crores.
INR 7 crores. Okay. So almost close to 2 percentage points goes away. So that 12% would be the growth, right?
And just on that, the point which was added was there was value erosion of Azmarda also. So net impact pretty much remains that the overall thing, which we were coming to.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Rahul Jeewani from IIFL Securities.
Sir, on the CDMO business, we were doing an expansion of the packaging line, and we had acquired a land parcel as well last quarter. So can you comment in terms of this capacity expansion progress on the CDMO business? And have we able -- and any traction in terms of adding either new clients or new products to this business?
So on the capacity expansion part, we currently have manufacturing and packaging capacity for 18 crore lozenges, which by end of Q2 was back at 13 crores to 14 crores lozenges. So that capacity expansion has already happened. And as mentioned in the last call, we would be ready with the actual throughput capacity of 18 crore by end of December, that's been executed as per the plan.
On the customer addition part, there was 1 anchor client, which was added last year, and there have been a couple of more added this year. But beyond that, we would not be able to comment anything at this stage.
Sure, sir. And on the margin guidance, which we have been giving of 25% to 27%, now if we look at our operating margins on a 9-month basis, this year have been around 28%. And with the growth which we are talking about in the domestic business and the CDMO business and the fact that incremental growth in India for us is being driven by chronic. Don't you think that FY '25 margins will potentially be higher than the range, which we are talking about, given that this year itself, we are closer to a 20% kind of a margin?
So, Rahul, this is Nikhil. If you look at overall the business dynamics, overall, what you -- everybody knows in terms of what is happening in the world of Red Sea, the freight costs have started escalating. There are some of the major API costs, which are also being on the higher side. And the way we are looking at business, fortunately, that we have been on the higher side of the guidance, but I think the guidance which we are comfortable is ranging between 25% to 27%, which conceptually, the teams at J.B. are confident to deliver.
Sure, sir. And apart from, let's say, any external shocks, be it in terms of increasing freight costs, do you think that we will continue to see a steady margin improvement going forward? Or are we more focused in terms of plowing back some of this profitability to drive higher growth in the domestic business?
Sorry, Rahul. Could you repeat the last second part of your question?
Whether this incremental profitability, you want to invest back into the domestic business either in terms of let expansion to drive higher growth.
So I think if there is no uncertainty and volatility, we should be maintaining the margins, which we currently have, right? Because we don't necessarily have to invest significantly in part of our existing domestic business. We should remain closer to the margin profile, which we have.
Sure, sir. And lastly, on the export business, now this year, obviously, has been a bit muted because of rationalization of the South Africa business. Do you see any other parts in your export business, which you can further rationalize in terms of any thoughts on rationalizing the Russia business given that is also a low-margin business for us?
For Russia business, there's not low margin business for us, it is a high gross margin, and we are into branded market formulation marketing. And there is no -- there is nothing as there tomorrow we'll be rationalizing. And this also -- South Africa, the rationalizing only has happened in the world of public market. So there is no point of rationalizing any other part of the business.
Okay. Sure, sir. So you are saying that even I was asking about our own Russia business, it's of the CMO supplies, which we...
Our own business, yes.
So now is the profitability because of the gross margin profile works in our favor. Whatever cost optimization initiatives need to be taken, we are looking at that. But as Nikhil mentioned, further opportunity for portfolio rationalization to improve the product margin mix, not specifically for Russia.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Neha Manpuria from Bank of America.
Just a question on Azmarda, given in the last year, it seems like Azmarda isn't performing as well as we would have expected. Is that the case? How is it panning versus your initial expectations of the product post the competition that has come in? And do you -- what do we need to improve the performance of Azmarda from here?
So there are 2 parts of the Azmarda, one is how the market is growing. And the second is how we have been able to kind of protect our market share in this growing opportunity. First of all, it's a growing and progressive market. Yes, after our initial estimates, we would have -- we thought that the market will grow by 2.5x. It's not grown by 2.5x, It's grown by 2x still, and it will continue to grow because it's a progressive category, right? We would not kind of state that we have underperformed in this market.
Yes, we have some higher expectations in terms of volumes increase and the price is -- the competition is much more intensified because of some of the generic entry, but that is not cause of panic because we continue to protect our market share. We continue to drive the therapy with the cardiologist. The strategy execution is pretty much as per plan. Whether on month-on-month sequential basis, we should have been probably 8% to 10% higher based on our initial estimate. Yes, we could have been higher, but we are on the right part. So we don't see really any reason to kind of be worried about how the brand is positioned.
And what do you think takes the -- our growth higher? It is just the category growth that alone is enough to improve the growth? Or are we trying to do anything else differently...
Category growth alone on a stand-alone basis will kind of ensure that we are doing in this market as well. So it's quite progressive and Azmarda is 1 of the top 3 brands. So the category growth alone will ensure that we are progressing. Whether we want to -- yes, we want to do more to increase our market share. Those efforts will always be undertaken by us.
Understood. And my second question, I know you did mention that you continue to expect that U.S. over time will ramp up, but your model there isn't changing. But in terms of our filing strategy, is that changing versus what we have mentioned previously? Or it's the same couple of findings that we have...
No change in our filing strategy. It's basically 3 to 4 filings per year. That is a run rate which we will maintain. And it will not be any specialty or complex products. We pretty much work with our oral solid dosage forms in the U.S. market, with the key differentiator being our cosmetic release platform.
Understood. Sorry, one other question, a follow-up, if I may. Within the domestic market, is there any therapy area we would like to launch more product in terms of white spaces in the focus areas that we're looking at from a covered market perspective, case in point in, being, let's say, SP or pediatric, would you -- I mean, are those areas where you want to do more, launch more products, expand your shares?
So we continue to launch 4 to 5 products every year. we would -- we will be more than happy to launch products in the world of GI, pediatrics, respiratory cardiology. So that you will continue to see our new product contribution continues to be around 3% to 4% every year. And I think we have got enough now portfolio in hand in terms of how do you leverage that and make the best use of what you have got in hand.
Understood. So we don't necessarily need to expand the portfolio to grow this segment?
So we continue to -- what I said earlier, we will continue to do life cycle management in terms of we are -- you should see us launching in next quarter, we got the merger of Sporlac. We should continue to see versions of -- better versions of products in the GI portfolio. We definitely -- we should see one of the product launch. So you should see 4 to 6 launches every year from our end.
The next question is from the line of Utsav Jaipuria from DAM Capital.
My question is on gross margins over the last 3, 4 quarters, there has been a very strong scale-up in the gross margin number. How much further headroom do you think you have on this account? Do you think we can get to like a 70%, 71% number?
Right now, this is the base which we want to work with. There are 2 key value levers for us, which has helped us scale up our gross margin profile over the last 6 to 8 months. One is the overall increasing mix of chronic within the domestic business and the fact that our products [indiscernible] all significantly started contributing to our overall portfolio mix. That is 1 reason, and there were a lot of cost improvement initiatives which are underway.
So we are seeing the benefits of that. This is the base we should be working with. There are always efforts to improve whatever we can, and those efforts will always be pursued.
The next question is from the line of [Sayantan Maji ] from UBS.
So just continuing on the previous question. So within chronic, what products or what product families would have significantly driven the improvement in gross margin? Because...
For us -- yes, for us. Essentially, the Cilacar franchise, the Razel franchise, the Nicardia franchise. And also, we saw improvement in gross margins from Azmarda.
Okay. Got it. And in Brazil, is that current candidate, say, meaningfully higher than the pre-acquisition run rate of INR 50 crores? So can you give some idea as to how that portfolio is doing for us?
We will not want to specifically comment on the internal numbers, but the market reflection is good enough for you to understand how the run rate has improved pre-acquisition and post-acquisition. We are certainly seeing a significant, significant improvement in the uptake of this brand.
Okay. Got it. And also, there was a comment that other expenses were higher by 8% year-on-year because of some increase in freight costs. So -- but if I look at it on a sequential basis or even if I look at versus 1Q, it has pretty much remained the same. So is it that the impact of higher freight cost has still not come in? And do you anticipate some impact going ahead?
Sorry. Could you just completely repeat the question, the trade cost was in future anticipation...
Yes. So other expenses, if I see versus 1Q or 2Q, it has pretty much -- I mean it has been flattish while there is a year-on-year increase, but sequentially, it has been pretty much flattish. So do you expect these freight costs took impact in the future quarter?
There will be some very -- some level of impact, which will continue in Q4 based on what we have seen in November, December.
Okay. Got it. And my final question is on CDMO. So in CDMO, I remember there was a guidance that you expect this business to contribute to 15% to 20% of the total business in the near term and $100 million from the current run rate of $50 million. So is it really coming from the contribution from the new launches you were working on some new disease areas? So is it mainly coming from there? Or will it come from entering new geographies or adding new clients? So what will be the single most important driver of growth of this business in the next 1 or 2 years?
There are 3 levers, which I earlier explained. One is newer geographies, which we are trying to get into and those geographies are a mix of Europe South Africa, Mexico, Brazil. New partners, which I can't share right now. And third is new therapeutic segments. And probably second half of FY '24, '25, you should start seeing some of the new launches seeing the daylight, which may be a combination of lozenges, in the area of pain, in the area of sleep disorders, oral thrush, immunity wellness, those are the things that are in there. So it's a combination of new partners, new geographies and new therapeutic areas. And our guidance remains same, $50 million to $100 million in 3 to 5 years.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from Neelam Punjabi from Perpetuity.
Congratulation on some good set of numbers. My first question is on the domestic business. So excluding the acquired timing portfolio, what's the growth rate that we are targeting for this business in the next fiscal year?
The growth to India pharma market should grow at around 10%, that is what the way I see Indian pharma market growing. We should be growing at around 200 to 300 bps better than the market.
Got it. Okay. And was the growth rate that we're targeting for our international formulation business next fiscal?
Close to 10%.
Okay. And my final question is on the ESOP expenses. So this has gone up sequentially as compared to last quarter. So what's the reason behind it?
There are some allocations based on the fair value, which has been kind of adjusted. And that's why you see, on a sequential basis, some level of increase. But from a going forward perspective, what you see as the quarterly ESOP charge, that's how it will remain, right? So you don't -- you shouldn't expect any further increase.
Got it. Sir, for the next fiscal year, what would be the ESOP expense if you can help me understand that?
It should be close to 45 to 48.
Full year.
[Operator Instructions] The next question is from Rahul Jeewani from IIFL Securities.
Can you please comment in terms of what is our existing cash balance right now?
So we are basically, from a cash balance perspective, close to INR 136 crores net positive. Our operating cash flows are closer to INR 614 crores, so which is almost 84% of the YTD operating EBITDA as reported.
Sure. This is for 9 months?
Yes.
Yes.
Sure, sir. And sir, just on this comment which you made about the growth expectation for your India business. Now, obviously, your covered market is growing at a 12% kind of a rate, then ideally on an organic basis, our India business growth should be closer to 14%, 15% instead of, let's say, when you commented, you commented versus IPM.
So, Rahul, we have been always in line with IPM, the way IPM deals and you have seen over the last so many quarters that we have beaten the IPM performance, so what guidance I've been telling, if market is growing at around 8%, 10%, we should be 200 to 300 bps better than the market.
No, no, sir, I'm asking that you also referred to the fact that the covered market in which you are present, is growing at a faster rate. And within that, you are even beating the covered market growth. Then the growth expectation, which you have for the domestic business next year, should ideally be some sort of outperformance versus the covered market growth instead of the IPM growth. So am I missing something there?
Rahul, just to simplify things, right? Out here, what Nikhil mentioned was total IPM growth, right? It's going to be 10%. Now at this stage, we are not kind of clearly pinpointing what's the covered market growth. We have always maintained that we will be 200 to 300 bps higher than the overall IPM growth. In our case, we pretty much drive the cover market growth because the molecules, where we are present, we have a dominant position. So you have to think that way that if the covered market is also growing higher, it's basically because we have dominant 50%, 60% market share in the categories which we play, and that is what we are driving, right? We will also be, of course, more than the covered market growth. So that's the way we look at it. The only other clarification which we can give at this stage is 200, 300 bps higher. And actually, the reported growth will be also higher because you add through these [indiscernible] portfolio.
The next question is from Nitin Agarwal from DAM Capital.
On your comments regarding the gross margin sort of basing out around this current level of 68%, sir, when you look through the next 2, 3 years, what would be the drivers for our incremental operating level -- for incremental EBITDA margin improvement from here on? Or do we see EBITDA margin sort of stabilizing around the 25%, 27% mark from here on?
So, Nitin, as of now, the guidance that we are giving is 25% to 27%. Overall, over a period of time as our contribution from chronic therapy improves and CDMO improves, as and when that has a substantial effect, we will revise our guidance at that time.
Okay. And sir, on the export part of it, I mean, on a, say, next 3 to 5 years period, do you see the exports going faster than the domestic business for you?
We did see earlier, Nitin, if you look at our investor deck, the ambition is India, which is contributing to the 53% to overall revenue should contribute 60%, and CDMO, which is contributing 12% should contribute 20%. So between India and CDMO, the contribution should be close to 80%. There is a guidance that we have kept for ourselves. And that is what we have been commenting for last now 3, 4 quarters.
Right. Sir, I mean, it's just sort of pushing the point. If you take India growth as a 12%, 13% base, and it's going to be growing faster than -- and you expect it to grow faster than the overall business for you?
Yes.
[Operator Instructions]
We have a question on the chat. The question is on how does the [ pedia ] franchise in performing and in particular, our Sporlac is doing?
We have certainly delivered very strong performance on Sporlac over the last 4 to 5 quarters, and we maintain that we are going to continue looking at market leading in the overall robotic franchise. As Nikhil mentioned earlier also, some of our new launches under the same brand umbrella are also doing well. So we have some new strains, which have been launched specifically focusing towards [ pedia ]. There'll be 1 more SKU launch towards [ pedia ] division, and that will certainly help boost the overall franchise further. Yes. That's it from the chat box.
Thank you very much. That was the last question. I would now like to hand the conference back to the management team for closing comments.
So let me thank all the participants for running the conference today. I think 9 months for the year. Overall, it has been a fair performance, what we have delivered, with close to 10% growth and around 20% plus EBITDA growth. And that will be the guidance for the current year. And for the coming year, the business should grow at around 12% to 14% top line, EBITDA should grow at 16% to 18%, this is J.B. remains that how do we invest to grow. And the journey continues to be only upwards and onwards. That is what we can comment with what we can do with our existing portfolio, making big brands bigger, making our new launches successful and do justice to the acquired portfolio. Thank you all for patience hearing. We will stay in touch with you. Thank you.
On behalf of J.B. Pharma, that concludes the conference. Thank you for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen, you may now disconnect your lines.