** Shares of India's Mahindra and Mahindra MAHM.NS fall 0.3% to 3,098.1 rupees
** The Thar-maker is set to report Q4 results on Tuesday
** Analysts on average expect profit to jump 59.7% y/y to 38.92 billion rupees ($408.11 million) - LSEG-compiled data
** Analysts at HDFC Securities expects y/y profit growth at co; said richer e-SUV mix and price hikes implemented in January should support margins sequentially
** Adds auto EBIT margins may contract amid higher input costs, higher EV mix and launch expenses
** Nifty Auto .NIFTYAUTO index down 0.2% on the day
** MAHM rated "buy" on average by 34 analysts, median PT: 4,230 rupees - LSEG data
** YTD, stock down ~16.3% vs auto index's 7.7% drop
($1 = 95.3675 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru)
((Bipasha.Dey@thomsonreuters.com;))