# 1. Financial Performance ## A. Key Figures * **Revenue:** **₹3,651 Cr** (Q1 FY26) (+2% YoY, flat QoQ) * **EBITDA:** **₹70 Cr** (+10% YoY, +4% QoQ) · **Operating Margin:** **9%** (+15 bps YoY, +7 bps QoQ) * **PAT:** **₹51 Cr** (includes ₹2 Cr demerger costs) · **Adjusted PAT:** **₹53 Cr** (+8% YoY, -15% QoQ) * Adjusted EPS: ₹3.5/share * **Gross Debt:** **₹0 Cr** (as of 30 June) ## B. Revenue Growth * **Balanced Start to FY26:** Healthy and well-distributed performance across verticals, building on FY25’s strategic momentum despite macro headwinds. * **Stable Top-Line Trajectory:** Revenue growth reflects resilience in demand, with flat sequential performance indicating steady execution. ## C. EBITDA & Margins * **Sustained Margin Expansion:** Operating margin improved to 9%, driven by gross margin gains and operational efficiency in Professional Staffing. * **Efficiency from Modernization:** Segment profitability doubled over two years due to optimized deployment mix and upgraded systems. ## D. Profit After Tax * **Core Profit Stability:** Adjusted PAT growth of 8% YoY reflects underlying strength, with core net profit holding steady after adjusting for non-recurring tax benefit. * **Demerger Impact:** One-time expenses of ₹2 Cr partially weighed on reported PAT; no material ongoing impact expected. ## E. Balance Sheet & Cash Flow * **Strong Balance Sheet:** Zero gross debt at quarter-end underscores financial discipline, despite temporary borrowings during the period. * **Cash Flow Headwinds & Outlook:** Muted general staffing activity pressured operating cash flows, but improved collect-and-pay ratio (**76% vs 50% in 2018**) signals better working capital control. * **Recovery Expected:** Rising traction in open mandates to drive improved collections and cash flow performance in Q2. --- # 2. Staffing Segments & Mix ## A. Key Figures * **General Staffing Revenue:** **₹3,122 Cr** (flat YoY, -1% QoQ) · **EBITDA:** **₹46 Cr** (+3% YoY, +6% QoQ) * **Professional Staffing Revenue:** **₹244 Cr** (+31% YoY, +11% QoQ) · **EBITDA:** **₹25 Cr** (+48% YoY, +24% QoQ) · **Margin:** **10.2%** (+116 bps YoY) * **Overseas Revenue:** **₹284 Cr** (flat YoY, -1% QoQ) · **EBITDA:** **₹17 Cr** (+12% YoY, +1% QoQ) · **Margin:** **6.0%** ## B. Segment Profitability & Mix Shifts * **General Staffing drives majority of profits (53%)**, reflecting improved efficiency and favorable mix shift, despite flat revenue and muted headcount growth. * **Professional Staffing margin surges into double digits**, now contributing **29% of EBITDA** on just **7% of revenue**, signaling strong operating leverage and pricing power in GCC-led engagements. * **Overseas operations achieve geographic rebalancing**, with the **Middle East surpassing Singapore as top EBITDA contributor**, validating diversification strategy amid regional regulatory headwinds. ## C. Operational Trends & Strategic Moves * **Early recovery signs in General Staffing** as June '25 marked first improvement in headcount, mandates, and fulfillments since Dec '24, supporting near-term stabilization. * **Expansion in Singapore’s localized general staffing** (now **>300 associates**) offsets Professional Staffing softness, though at **lower PPAM (~₹600–650)** than premium segments. * **Flat fee contracts constrain margin upside** in General Staffing, making mix shift toward percentage-based fees critical for sustained expansion. ## D. Construction Segment Focus * **Construction segment remains highly concentrated**, with Quess serving only **3 major clients across ~30 sites**, focusing on margin and working capital improvement rather than new customer acquisition. --- # 3. Demand & Hiring Trends ## A. Key Figures * **Open Mandates:** **42,000** in general staffing (Jun '25) · **>1,200** in professional staffing * **New Contracts:** **79** in general staffing · **12** in professional staffing ## B. Headcount Recovery * **Strong Rebound in Hiring:** After a sharp decline in April and flat May, the segment returned to robust growth with a significant June rebound, reversing earlier weakness. * **Seasonal Ramp-Up Underway:** Recruiting capabilities have been scaled from July to October to meet Diwali-related seasonal demand, supporting sustained headcount growth. * **Retention Catalyst Emerging:** DBT benefits under Scheme A tied to 6- and 12-month employment milestones are expected to reduce attrition in entry-level roles, though impact will be measurable only by Q3. ## C. Open Mandates * **High Visibility into Growth:** Large open mandate book in general staffing—particularly in manufacturing—signals strong client demand and operational readiness for Q2 expansion. * **GCCs Driving Professional Demand:** **68%** of open roles in professional staffing originate from Global Capability Centers, indicating resilient enterprise demand for skilled talent. ## D. Client Additions * **Improved Client Sentiment in BFSI:** NBFCs and banks are showing greater hiring openness due to lower interest rates, supporting new client wins and mandate expansions. ## E. Sector-wise Demand * **BFSI Recovery Confirmed:** Segment turned positive in Q1 after prior softness, driven by new customer acquisition despite broader industry challenges. * **Manufacturing Rebound Taking Hold:** Electronic manufacturing, auto, EV, and renewable vehicles show improving demand after a slowdown, reversing post-Diwali stagnation. --- # 4. GCC & Strategic Growth ## A. Key Figures * **GCC Revenue Mix:** **73%** of Professional Staffing revenue * **GCC Client Base:** **157** active GCC clients · **62** new logos added last year · **12** new logos in Q1 FY26 (**10** from GCC) * **GCC Market Size & Growth:** **~1,600** GCCs in India · **13%** annual growth expected · **+700** new GCCs by 2030 * **Origint Pipeline:** **12** new logos signed · **1,200** open mandates (~75 days of sales backlog) ## B. GCC Revenue Mix * **Dominant GCC Exposure:** Professional Staffing revenue is heavily concentrated in GCCs, driven by digital, high-tech, telecom, media, and electronics sectors, with BFSI leading growth. * **Sectoral Divergence:** Strong demand from BFSI, telecom, product, and tech offset by tariff-related headwinds in pharma, retail, auto, and manufacturing. * **Established Leadership:** Over 15 years of GCC staffing expertise and early verticalization provide a durable competitive advantage in a high-barrier segment. ## C. Origint Launch * **Strategic Expansion via Origint:** New asset-light, end-to-end GCC services platform launched to capture broader value chain, leveraging Bluspring and Digitide for infrastructure and talent. * **Differentiated, Scalable Model:** Combines data-driven location advisory in niche sectors (e.g., healthcare tech) with cost-plus execution, enabling rapid client onboarding. * **Early Traction & Margin Profile:** One client live, two in pipeline, with **double-digit EBITDA margin** expected on blended basis, reinforcing value-accretive potential. ## D. Sales Pipeline * **Robust Demand Signal:** Healthy sales pipeline with 1,200 open mandates and 12 new logos reflects strong market validation for Origint and core GCC offerings. * **AI-Driven Delivery Edge:** Significant investment in AI-enhanced delivery strengthens service quality and scalability, supporting conversion of backlog into revenue. ## E. ONDC Integration * **National Scale via Hamara Jobs:** As first anchor participant on ONDC’s work domain, platform enables large-scale blue-collar job access in Tier 2/3 and rural India. * **Expanded Market Reach:** ONDC integration unlocks new markets beyond core footprint, with **5 lakh+ verified jobs** annually, enhancing platform utility and network effects. --- # 5. Talent & Operating Model ## A. Key Figures * Average Wage (High-End Skills): **₹1.25 Lakh/month** (AI, cloud, cybersecurity, digital, media) * **Gross Margin Multiple:** **3x to 4x** higher than general staffing (bill rate model advantage) ## B. Skill Mix Shift * **Strategic Reskilling:** Tech workforce reallocated from shared services to **emerging technologies** (data & AI, cloud, cybersecurity, platform engineering), enabling higher-value engagements and margin uplift. * **Demand-Driven Hiring:** Accelerated talent sourcing to meet seasonal demand, with plans to **scale down recruiter count** post-peak cycle. ## C. Bill Rate Model * **Margin Advantage:** Bill rate model drives **3x to 4x higher gross margins** versus general staffing, supported by superior talent quality, compliance, and governance. * **High-End Wage Realization:** Rising wages for premium skills (e.g., AI, cloud) flow through as **margin expansion** due to percentage-based pricing. * **PAPM Proxy:** Estimated **INR23,000–25,000 per person** for IT Staffing, though not formally tracked under current model. ## D. Associate to Core Ratio * **Capacity Discipline:** Decline in associate to core ratio reflects **mindful capacity management** and favorable business mix shift, not operational weakness. * **Seasonal Rebound Expected:** Ratio expected to **reverse in H2** as part of normal seasonal ramp-up, with no material margin impact anticipated. ## E. Digital Platform Use * **Strategic Focus:** Emphasis on operational excellence, innovation, and tech investment to solidify position as **pure-play staffing leader** and drive long-term shareholder value. --- # 6. Risks & Regulatory Impact ## A. Key Figures * **EBITDA:** **41% decline** in Singapore operations over past year ## B. Visa & Geo Risks * **Persistent Singapore Headwinds:** Singapore, a historically top-performing market, has faced **8 consecutive quarters of pressure** due to visa-related constraints, significantly impacting profitability. ## C. Monsoon Disruptions * **Seasonal Drag on Retail & Construction:** Unseasonably early monsoon and weak summer conditions in India suppressed retail and CRT segment performance, resulting in **negative retail growth in Q1**. * **Construction Activity Pressured:** Monsoon rains disrupted civil construction, leading to expected seasonal declines and **limited sequential growth in Q1 vs. Q4** despite underlying progress. ## D. ELI Scheme Delay * **ELI Rollout Imminent:** The nationwide Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme launches **August 1**, with rules expected **August 5**, marking a pivotal shift toward formalization in staffing. * **Proactive Engagement, Limited Near-Term Impact:** Quess is actively coordinating with the Ministry of Labor and EPFO; however, **financial impact on gross margins is expected to be negligible this fiscal** due to implementation timing and **6-month eligibility threshold**. --- # 7. Guidance & Outlook ## A. H2 Recovery View * **Cautious Rebound in General Staffing:** Signs of recovery emerged in June, with expectations for growth acceleration in H2 despite softness in general staffing revenue. * **Stable Collect and Pay Framework:** Management expects the collect and pay ratio to remain in the **75% to 80% range**, balancing client relationship priorities with capital safety via strict due diligence. * **No Formal Financial Guidance:** The company is not providing top-line or bottom-line guidance for FY '26 and FY '27. ## B. Margin Sustainability * **Structural Margin Improvement Underway:** Gross margin expansion expected to continue, driven by strategic shift from bulk hiring to **niche and super-niche segments** and strengthened capabilities in **emerging technologies**. * **Double-Digit Margin Target Affirmed:** Management maintains confidence in sustaining **double-digit margins in professional staffing**. ## C. Growth Acceleration * **Strategic Focus on Scalable, Margin-Accretive Growth:** Priorities include optimizing operations, advancing the GCC-as-a-Service brand (Origint), and scaling digital partnerships via **ONDC** to capture workforce transformation trends. * **Construction Segment: Limited Current Impact, Near-Term Upside Expected:** While currently contributing insignificantly to group cash profits, upside potential is anticipated by year-end with planned growth in Q2 and Q3. * **No Targeted Top-Line Contribution Guidance for Professional Staffing:** Management did not specify future revenue mix targets for the segment.