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Max Healthcare Alpha Trade Pick: Max Healthcare enters a multi-year expansion phase

Synopsis:

Max Healthcare is executing a structured expansion strategy centred on brownfield capacity additions, selective acquisitions, improving ARPOB, and disciplined capital deployment, supported by steady operating metrics and recent regulatory developments.

Stock Snapshot

Particulars

Details

Exchange

NSE / BSE

NSE/BSE Code

MAXHEALTH / 543220

CMP (₹)

1,078

Target Price (₹)

1,218

Upside (%)

12%

52-Week High / Low (₹)

₹1,314 / 940

Market Capitalisation

₹1,055.46 bn

Investment Rationale

Max Healthcare is in an ongoing expansion cycle with defined capacity additions supported by sustained improvement in operating performance, capital deployment aligned with reported ROCE metrics and balance-sheet discipline. The company’s strategy prioritises brownfield expansions, selective inorganic growth and calibrated greenfield development, enabling capacity addition without diluting return metrics.

Cumulative project capex of approximately ₹6,487 crore has been committed through FY29, significantly expanding the network’s potential capacity over the medium term. Despite the scale of expansion, return ratios remain strong, with network-level ROCE exceeding 28% and existing hospitals delivering nearly 38% ROCE. Net debt continues to be maintained below 1x EBITDA, providing flexibility for ongoing capital deployment.

Shareholding %

Particulars

Q2FY26

Q1FY26

Q4FY25

Promoter

23.74

23.74

23.74

FII

51.80

54.76

54.74

DII

20.03

17.41

17.49

Others

4.43

4.09

3.94

Promoter Pledge – 0.44%

Brownfield Expansion and Inorganic Growth

Brownfield projects and strategic acquisitions are expected to be the primary earnings drivers over FY26–FY28. The integration of Jaypee Healthcare (Noida) and Alexis Hospital (Nagpur) has accelerated scale while complementing high-margin brownfield expansions at Mohali, Nanavati-Max and Saket.

Management highlights that brownfield additions benefit from shared infrastructure and overhead absorption, limiting incremental EBITDA drag and enabling faster margin normalisation. Upcoming developments at Vikrant, Vaishali and Dehradun further strengthen the core northern cluster. This blend of inorganic growth and operating leverage is expected to translate into incremental contribution from FY27 onwards.

Greenfield and Asset-Light Expansion

Alongside brownfield growth, Max Healthcare is executing a structured greenfield and asset-light expansion strategy. New hospitals at Gurugram Sector-56, Patparganj (Nirogi), Thane, Zirakpur, Pitampura and a new site in Lucknow expand the company’s geographic footprint beyond Delhi NCR and Mumbai.

These projects diversify volume pools and are critical to sustaining growth as mature hospitals operate at occupancy levels close to 80%. Different project structures allow the company to maintain capital efficiency while expanding capacity.

Volume Growth and ARPOB Improvement

Existing hospitals continue to report strong throughput growth. Occupied bed days increased by 22% year-on-year in H1 FY26. Like-for-like ARPOB for hospitals operational prior to Q4 FY24 grew by approximately 6.8% year-on-year.

ARPOB growth is driven by a higher contribution from oncology, transplants and complex surgical procedures, along with an improving payer mix. International patients contribute disproportionately to ARPOB and average length of stay, reflecting higher ARPOB contribution from select patient segments.

Hospitals at Dwarka, Noida, Lucknow and Nagpur continue to scale, with visible headroom for improvement in occupancy, ARPOB and margins as they converge toward network averages. These units also strengthen feeder flows into metro quaternary centres.

CGHS Tariff Revision – Regulatory Tailwind

The revision in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) tariffs effective October 2025 is expected to provide an annual revenue uplift of approximately ₹200 crore. Creating a margin impact as outlined by management commentary from FY27. Linked government schemes such as ECHS provide additional revenue visibility.

High-Margin Adjacencies and Digital Scale

Adjacency businesses such as Max Lab and Max@Home continue to scale at a 15–30% CAGR with minimal capital intensity, enhancing ecosystem stickiness and return metrics.

Digital channels now contribute nearly 30% of network revenues, supporting patient acquisition, improving utilisation and lowering customer acquisition costs. Digital scale continues to strengthen operating leverage across the hospital network.

Q2 FY26 – Management Call Highlights

Margin Profile and Operating Efficiency

Metric

Q2 FY26

Network Operating EBITDA Margin

26.9%

Existing Hospitals EBITDA Margin

27.5%

H1 FY26 Network EBITDA Margin

25.9%

H1 FY26 Existing Hospitals Margin

26.5%

Dwarka Hospital EBITDA Margin

15% at 81% occupancy

Max Lab EBITDA Margin

16%

Physiotherapy Business EBITDA Margin

20%

  • Strong Network Margins: Network operating EBITDA margin stood at 26.9% for Q2 FY26, with existing units improving to 27.5% (up 90 bps YoY and 200 bps sequentially).
  • H1 Performance: For H1 FY26, network operating EBITDA margin was 25.9%, with existing units achieving 26.5%. Unit-Level Economics: The Dwarka hospital reported robust profitability with an EBITDA margin of ~15% at 81% occupancy.
  • Ancillary Business Margins: Max Lab reported an EBITDA margin of ~16%, while the physiotherapy business delivered margins of ~20%.
  • Expansion Efficiency: Management expects brownfield expansions to be margin-accretive quickly, avoiding the typical EBITDA drag associated with new greenfield facilities.

Management reiterated that brownfield expansions are expected to turn margin-accretive quickly, avoiding the typical EBITDA drag associated with greenfield hospitals.

Financials

Particulars

FY26E

FY27E

FY28E

Revenue (mn)

1,02,658

1,27,478

1,49,816

EBITDA (mn)

27,493

34,686

42,586

PAT (mn)

16,785

21,689

27,472

EPS (mn)

17.27

22.31

28.26

Growth (%)

   

Revenue

46.1

24.2

17.5

EBITDA

48.7

26.2

22.8

PAT

56.0

29.2

26.7

Margins (%)

   

EBITDA

26.8

27.2

28.4

PAT

16.4

17.0

18.3

Valuation (x)

   

P/E

63.1

48.8

38.5

P/B

9.8

8.3

7.0

EV/EBITDA

44.4

35.1

28.1

DEBT/EQUITY

0.3

0.2

0.1

ROCE (%)

16.8

19.2

21.0

ROE (%)

15.5

17.1

18.3

Financials & Ratio Analysis

Income Statement

  

(Rs in mn)

Particulars

FY26E

FY27E

FY28E

Revenue from Operation

1,02,658.2

1,27,477.5

1,49,816.2

COGS

21,434.4

25,495.5

29,963.2

% of Sales

20.9

20.0

20.0

Gross Profit

81,223.8

1,01,982.0

1,19,852.9

Gross margin (%)

79.1

80.0

80.0

Employee Benefit Exp

17,036.8

21,338.0

24,499.7

Other expenses

36,694.1

45,958.1

52,767.7

EBITDA

27,493.0

34,686.0

42,585.5

EBITDA Margins (%)

26.8

27.2

28.4

Other Income

2,053.2

2,549.6

2,996.3

Depreciation

4,960.9

5,622.6

6,046.8

EBIT

24,585.2

31,612.9

39,535.0

EBIT Margins (%)

23.9

24.8

26.4

Finance Cost

1,902.2

1,902.2

1,902.2

Profit before tax

22,683.0

29,710.7

37,632.8

Total Tax expenses

5,897.6

8,021.9

10,160.9

Tax rate (%)

26.0

27.0

27.0

Profit after tax

16,785.4

21,688.8

27,472.0

PAT Margins

16.4

17.0

18.3

Basic EPS

17.3

22.3

28.3

Balance Sheet

  

(Rs in mn)

Particulars

FY26E

FY27E

FY28E

ASSETS

   

Fixed Assets

44,089.8

49,352.2

53,548.4

CWIP

22,400.0

18,900.0

8,440.0

Goodwill

37,145.6

41,579.1

45,114.4

Trade Receivable

11,335.2

14,075.7

16,542.2

Inventories

1,551.3

1,926.4

2,263.9

Financial Assets

2,621.8

2,621.8

2,621.8

Cash and cash equivalent

3,190.0

8,198.8

28,879.6

Other Assets

43,930.0

51,011.5

56,133.3

Total Assets

1,66,263.8

1,87,665.5

2,13,543.6

EQUITY

   

Equity Share Capital

9,721.4

9,721.4

9,721.4

Other Equity

98,522.8

1,17,175.1

1,40,801.0

Total Equity

1,08,244.2

1,26,896.5

1,50,522.4

Long Term Borrowings

30,399.6

30,399.6

30,399.6

Short Term Borrowings

7,644.9

7,644.9

7,644.9

Trade Payables

11,724.2

14,473.6

16,725.8

Other Liabilities

8,250.9

8,250.9

8,250.9

Total Liabilities

58,019.6

60,769.0

63,021.2

Total Equity and Liabilities

1,66,263.8

1,87,665.5

2,13,543.6

Cash Flow Statement

  

(Rs in mn)

Particulars

FY26E

FY27E

FY28E

Cash Flow from operating activities (OA)

PBT

22,683.0

29,710.7

37,632.8

Depreciation

4,960.9

5,622.6

6,046.8

Operating Profit before WC change

29,546.2

37,235.6

45,581.8

Changes in Assets and liability

(418.8)

(366.2)

(551.9)

Cash from Operations

29,127.4

36,869.4

45,029.9

Tax

(5,897.6)

(8,021.9)

(10,160.9)

Net Cash from OA

23,229.8

28,847.5

34,869.1

Cash Flow from investing activities (IA)

Capex

(22,400.0)

(18,900.0)

(8,440.0)

Net Cash from IA

0.0

0.0

0.0

Cash Flow from financing activities (FA)

Finance Cost

(1,902.2)

(1,902.2)

(1,902.2)

Dividend

(2,350.0)

(3,036.4)

(3,846.1)

Net Cash from FA

(4,252.2)

(4,938.7)

(5,748.3)

Net increase/(decrease) in Cash

(3,422.4)

5,008.8

20,680.8

Cash at the beginning of the year

6,612.4

3,190.0

8,198.8

Cash at the end of the year

3,190.0

8,198.8

28,879.6

Ratio Analysis

   

Particulars

FY26E

FY27E

FY28E

Growth (%)

   

Revenue

46.1

24.2

17.5

Gross Profit

46.3

25.6

17.5

EBITDA

48.7

26.2

22.8

EBIT

53.3

31.0

26.7

PAT

56.0

29.2

26.7

% Of Revenue

   

Gross Profit

79.1

80.0

80.0

EBITDA

26.8

27.2

28.4

EBIT

23.9

24.8

26.4

PAT

16.4

17.0

18.3

Return Ratios (%)

   

ROCE

16.8

19.2

21.0

ROE

15.5

17.1

18.3

Valuation (x)

   

P/E

63.1

48.8

38.5

P/B

9.8

8.3

7.0

EV/EBITDA

44.4

35.1

28.1

EV/ Sales

11.9

9.5

8.0

DEBT/EQUITY

0.3

0.2

0.1

Pricing Environment and Payer Mix

Parameter

Update

CGHS Tariff Impact

₹200+ crore benefit

EBITDA Flow-through

85–90% by FY27

ARPOB Growth (Existing Units)

7% YoY

International Patient ARPOB

30% higher than average

  • CGHS Price Revision: A revision in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) prices effective October 13th is expected to generate a benefit of over INR 200 crores once fully implemented.
  • High Flow-Through: Management projects a significant flow-through of the CGHS pricing benefit, with 85-90% expected to hit EBITDA by FY27.
  • ARPOB Growth: Average Revenue Per Occupied Bed (ARPOB) for existing units (excluding new acquisitions) grew by 7% YoY.
  • Premium Payer Mix: International patients continue to drive premium pricing, generating approximately 30% higher ARPOB compared to the average patient.
  • Insurance Relations: Temporary issues with insurers regarding cashless facilities have been resolved, with future price revisions successfully agreed upon.

Temporary cashless-facility issues with insurers have been resolved, with future price revisions successfully negotiated.

Capital Expenditure and Capacity Pipeline

Item

Details

H1 FY26 Capex

₹891 crore

Land & Brownfield Additions

₹131 crore

H2 FY26 Capex Guidance

₹1,100 crore

  • Capex Guidance: The company has earmarked approximately INR 1,100 crores for capital expenditure in H2 FY26.
  • Recent Deployments: In H1 FY26, INR 891 crores was deployed for expansion projects and upgrades, plus INR 131 crores for land purchases and brownfield expansion at Max Vaishali.
  • Upcoming Capacity: Significant capacity is coming online immediately:
    • A 268-bed tower at Nanavati Max (commissioning week of Nov 17).
    • A 400-bed tower at Max Smart (commissioning within 30 days).
    • A 160-bed tower at Mohali (already commissioned).
  • Project Pipeline: Strategic projects are progressing, with master plans finalized for the Thane project and building plan approvals awaited for the Pitampura, Delhi project.

Upcoming Capacity Additions

Project

Status

Nanavati-Max

268-bed tower commissioning mid-November

Max Smart Hospital

400-bed tower commissioning shortly

Mohali

160-bed tower commissioned

Thane

Master plan finalised

Pitampura (Delhi)

Building approvals awaited

Product Portfolio and Digital Traction

  • Oncology Expansion: New radiation oncology programs are scaling up, with a launch at the new Mohali tower and an upcoming launch in Lucknow within two weeks.
  • Digital Revenue Growth: Digital channels (online marketing, web appointments) are now a major revenue driver, generating INR 803 crores (30% of overall revenue), supported by a 53% YoY increase in website traffic.

Corporate Actions and Updates

Item

Update

Subsidiary Merger

Crosslay Remedies merged with Jaypee Healthcare

One-Time Benefit

₹149 crore

Asset Divestment

Chitta and Anoopshahr hospitals divested

Dividend Paid (Q2 FY26)

₹146 crore

  • Merger Synergies: A merger between wholly-owned subsidiaries Crosslay Remedies and Jaypee Healthcare was approved, resulting in a one-time benefit of INR 149 crores.
  • Asset Monetization: The company completed the divestment of hospitals in Chitta and Anoopshahr in September 2025.
  • Shareholder Returns: Dividends of INR 146 crores were paid out during Q2 FY26.

Competition and Talent Management

  • Competitive Positioning: Management dismissed concerns regarding competitor capacity additions in Noida and Lucknow, noting these were long-anticipated and less disruptive than their own Jaypee acquisition.
  • Talent Stability: Doctor attrition remains normal at 1-1.5%; the departure of some senior doctors in NCR had no business impact as they were immediately replaced.

Valuation

Max Healthcare’s expansion pipeline includes phased brownfield additions, new greenfield hospitals and asset-light facilities across major metros and emerging clusters. As newer hospitals ramp up and utilisation improves, the EBITDA base is expected to expand meaningfully by FY28. Applying a 28x EV/EBITDA multiple to FY28 earnings implies a target price of ₹1,218, representing an upside of 12% from current levels.

Conclusion

Max Healthcare’s disclosures indicate a measured expansion phase anchored in brownfield-led capacity addition and selective inorganic growth, aimed at preserving return metrics and operating efficiency. Mature hospitals continue to support margins, while newer units offer visibility on incremental utilisation gains. Capital allocation remains aligned with leverage thresholds, and contributions from digital channels and adjacency businesses add diversification. Execution of the expansion pipeline, occupancy ramp-up, and regulatory implementation remain the primary operational variables to monitor.

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