Idea Cellular Q4 PAT likely to jump 27% at Rs 255 cr

Idea Cellular, country's second largest telecom services provider by market cap is expected to report a growth of 26.8% quarter-on-quarter in its profit after tax of Rs 255 crore in the fourth quarter of FY12, according to CNBC-TV18 poll.

Revenues are seen going up by 5.35% to Rs 5,300 crore from Rs 5,030.8 crore during the same period.

EBITDA is likely to go up at Rs 1,416.9 crore in the January-March quarter of FY12 versus Rs 1,344.6 crore in the previous quarter. 

Operational parameters

Revenue per minute (RPM) is expected to be flat at 43.3 paise

Average revenue per user (ARPU) too is seen flat at Rs 159

Minutes of usage (MOU) is likely to be at 368 versus 369

Highlights

Revenue growth for Idea is seen at 5-5.5% - higher than peers due to strong volume growth, despite flat RPM

PAT may get boost of forex. Last quarter forex loss stood at Rs 31.1 crore. This quarter since the rupee has appreciated; it might see a forex gain

Volumes expected to be strong, but RPMs flat to slightly negative after 3 quarters of RPM gain
**Volume growth & subscriber addition at around 6-7% has been strong. Q3 volume growth was at 7.3%. Idea biggest beneficiary of MNP
**RPMs flat as Idea had undertaken promotional packages as a response to Bharti which had cut tariffs and introduced packages to protect its falling market share
**Flat RPM comes on the back of three consecutive quarters of RPM increase (Q1 – Q3)