The unfettered demand for housing across the country has enabled the country’s leading large and listed developers to reduce their debt, reveals an analysis of the financials declared by the top 8 developers [1] engaged in the development of residential real estate.

As per ANAROCK Research, the net debt of top 8 listed developers has reduced from INR 405 Bn in FY20 to over INR 230 bn in FY23 – recording a decline of 43% in the period. On yearly basis, the net debt of developers has remained almost stable in FY 23 as compared to the year ago period.

Description automatically generated Anuj Puri, Chairman – ANAROCK Group, says, “This decline in net debt is essentially because of boosted sales and revenues. These developers’ sales volumes have surpassed pre-pandemic levels and are headed for a new peak. With improved cash flows over the last few years, their debt has reduced significantly. Interestingly, the widening gap between the gross and the net debt also indicates a comfortable financial position for these players. For instance, the difference between the gross and net debt of the developers was approx. INR 74 Bn in FY20 which has widened to almost INR 152 Bn in FY23.”

Meanwhile, the periodic interest rate hikes since April 2022 have led to a marginal rise in the cost of debt, though it remains lower than the pre-pandemic levels of FY20. This, however, will not impact large and listed players’ execution capabilities.

“The findings once again vouchsafe the increasing confidence of most homebuyers in projects by these developers, who have entered the new fiscal with stronger and healthier books and values,” says Puri. “Also, while the top 8 listed developers are on solid financial ground, large unlisted players are also displaying a similar trend.”

The market share of large unlisted companies such as ATS Green, GM Infinite, Myhome, Piramal, Runwal, Signature Global, Shapoorji Pallonji, Wadhwa Group, Provident Housing, Goel Ganga, and Casa Grande, among others. Cumulatively, the market share of large developers, both listed and unlisted, has nearly doubled - from 17% in FY17 to 36% in FY23.

Overall, as per ANAROCK Research, the last fiscal (April 2022 to March 2023) recorded sales of approx. 3.65 lakh units across the top 7 cities - the highest in the last 5 years. The first quarter of the current fiscal (April to June 2023) saw approx. 1.14 lakh units sold in these cities - the highest-ever quarterly sales recorded.