Bharti Airtel may return to making profits after tax by 2020 end: Analysts

New Delhi: Bharti Airtel may be back in the black by the end of December, after a year of losses, driven by strong operational metrics such as average revenue per user (ARPU), which could get a further push by expected fresh tariff hikes and addition of 4G customers, said analysts.

They said the telecom operator was close to profitability at the operational level in the January-March period, when it was dragged by the exceptional charges related to statutory dues and write-down on 3G gear. Its net loss before exceptional items during the quarter stood at Rs 471 crore, down from Rs 1,181 crore a year ago.

“We expect Bharti Airtel will be able to generate profit over two-three quarters and exit 2020 with net positive PAT (profit after tax),” said a Mumbai-based analyst, who did not wish to be identified.