Bharti Airtel Braces for 52% Profit Drop Despite Revenue Growth

According to a poll of analysts by Visible Alpha, Bharti Airtel’s net profit for the quarter ending December is expected to slide 52% to 71.35 billion rupees ($789.1 million). This contraction follows a period of high comparables, though the company's top-line momentum remains intact with revenue estimated to rise 18% year-over-year to 533.01 billion rupees.

The anticipated earnings come as the company’s stock has retreated 5.2% since the start of the year. This cooling period follows a robust 33% gain throughout 2025, as investors now weigh the sustainability of Airtel's growth against the heavy costs of maintaining its sprawling network infrastructure.

Mobile Growth and Margin Stability

Market observers are focusing on the performance of the domestic mobile services segment, which recently saw profit surge 42% driven by a 364.2 million subscriber base. Average revenue per user (ARPU) reached 256 rupees a month in the second quarter, and the upcoming report will reveal if this upward trajectory can continue to offset mounting operational expenses.

Beyond subscriber numbers, capital expenditure remains a critical variable for the balance sheet. After capex rose 26% to 113.62 billion rupees in the prior quarter, investors are looking for clarity on the financial burden of ongoing network upgrades. Additionally, the report will highlight whether the EBIT margin can hold steady near the 32% mark as inflationary pressures in India begin to stabilize.