Hindustan Unilever, Dabur India, Britannia Industries hit new lifetime high

In past one month, these stocks have outperformed the market by gaining between 8-17%, compared to 1% fall in Sensex.

Shares of fast moving consumer goods companies (FMCG) mainly Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Dabur India and Britannia Industries are on a roll, hit their respective lifetime highs in otherwise subdued market on the bourses.

HUL has rallied 4% to Rs 731, while Dabur India and Britannia Industries gain 3.5% each at Rs 210 and Rs 1,170 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Godrej Consumer Products (up 7% to Rs 892) and Marico (up 2% at Rs 271) too, trading higher, compared to 0.17% decline in S&P BSE Sensex in early noon deals.

Most of these stocks have outperformed the market by gaining between 8-17%, as against 1% fall in benchmark index during past one month.

The aggregate net profit of these companies, except Britannia Industries, which yet to declare its June quarter results have posted 12% year-on-year jump in net profit on back of 13% rise in net sales.

Gautam Duggad and Manish Poddar, analysts at Motilal Oswal Securities however, have a cautious view on the sector on back of inflationary tendency, volatile input cost environment and a possible slowdown in the rural economy.

Companies with low competitive pressures and broad product portfolios will be able to better with stand any slowdown in a particular segment. Longer term prospects bright, given rising incomes and low penetration, says analysts in a recent research report.