Real Cash Earnings · Intermediate · Pro filter
Capex intensity: what it means and how to read it
Capital spending ÷ sales: how much of each ₹100 of sales goes into factories, machines and other long-term assets.
What is Capex intensity?
Capital spending ÷ sales: how much of each ₹100 of sales goes into factories, machines and other long-term assets.
A worked example
A telecom company spending ₹25 of every ₹100 of sales on towers and spectrum has an intensity of 25%. An IT services company spends about ₹3.
Why does Capex intensity matter?
Heavy spending eats cash. It's fine if the new assets earn good returns.
How do you read Capex intensity?
Lower frees up cash. Compare within a sector.
Lower is usually better.
What is a typical Capex intensity in India today?
The median across the 3944 listed companies that report it, as of 12 Oct 2026. Half sit above each figure and half below.
By company size
Median
Large Cap · 70 companies5.8%
Mid Cap · 119 companies6.5%
Small Cap · 3755 companies3.8%
By industry
Median, largest industries first
Pharmaceuticals · 1907.2%
Computers - Software & Consulting · 571.9%
Refineries & Marketing · 81.7%
Power Generation · 2940.4%
Heavy Electrical Equipment · 424.9%
Auto Components & Equipments · 1126.0%
Cement & Cement Products · 328.8%
Civil Construction · 1162.2%
Aerospace & Defense · 327.6%
2/3 Wheelers · 105.1%
Compare a company with its own industry before the whole market. Every industry, and each company's rank within it, is in the screener.