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The domestic cigarette industry is bracing for a 6-8 per cent volume contraction in the next fiscal, following the imposition of additional excise duties and an increase in GST rates from February 1, Crisil Ratings said on Wednesday. Currently, cigarettes are charged 28 per cent goods and services tax (GST), along with a varied compensation cess. From February 1, the compensation cess component will be removed, and an additional excise duty (ranging from Rs 2.05 to Rs 8.5 per stick) will be levied, based on the length of the cigarettes. Crisil said mid to premium cigarettes (more than 65 mm length) will be levied excise duty of Rs 3.6-8.5 per stick, while cigarettes in the mass segment (less than 65 mm length) will be levied Rs 2.05 - 2.1 per stick. Additionally, the GST applicable on the final price will increase to 40 per cent. Though the duty hikes are lower in the mass segment (accounting for 40-45 per cent of the volumes), the players are expected to partially absorb the same
Cigarette maker Godfrey Phillips India Ltd on Thursday reported an increase of 46.25 per cent in its consolidated net profit to Rs 215.12 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2024. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 147.09 crore during the January-March period of the previous fiscal, according to a regulatory filing from Godfrey Phillips India. Its revenue from operations increased 22.86 per cent to Rs 1,197.13 crore during the quarter under review, up from Rs 974.40 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. Total expenses of Godfrey Phillips in the March quarter were up 21.13 per cent at Rs 1,052.66 crore. Its revenue from cigarettes, tobacco and related products was up 22.81 per cent to Rs 1,073.56 crore in Q4 of FY24. Revenue from retail and related products remained flat at Rs 101.42 crore, compared to Rs 100.98 crore a year ago. Godfrey Phillips operates the convenience store chain 24Seven. Total income of Godfrey Phillips India was up 24.06 per c
"Buy when everyone is selling" explains one of the principles of Warren Buffett, the world's most celebrated investor, who is known for his "value investing". Fitting this maxim in the Indian context could be ITC, which investors may want to look at.The ITC stock has been a clear underperformer, lagging the S&P BSE Sensex in the past 12 months. Compared to a rise of 27 per cent in the Sensex, ITC is up just about six per cent, because of a negative tax surprise for its key cigarettes business. But, if analysts are to be believed, it may be a good time to accumulate the stock as apart from an expected improvement in business prospects in the next fiscal year, the risk-reward equation is far more favourable.For one, the stark underperformance also means that based on FY19 estimated earnings, ITC's stock valuations are now at 24-25 times, nearly half the 45-46 times of Hindustan Unilever. ITC's trailing 12 months' earnings (ending September 2017) valuation at 31.2 times is also a tad
> Cigarettes stocks rallied today as concerns on a higher sin tax abated with the government keeping rates unchanged in the goods and services tax (GST). The Centre has capped the tax rate on cigarettes at 290 per cent over a period of next five years backed by expectations that the initial tax rate on this industry will have a neutral impact. ITC Ltd, which commands a 79 per cent market share, rose by over 7.5 per cent to touch Rs. 288.90 on the Bombay Stock Exchange in intra-day trade, close to its lifetime high of Rs 292. The scrip finally closed at Rs 281.20 registering a 4.85 per cent growth. Shares of VST Industries also shot up by 11 per cent in intra-day trade on the bourse to touch Rs. 2929.85 and finally ended at Rs 2839.45, registering an upswing of 7.55 per cent. Shares of Godfrey Phillips also peaked to Rs. 1283.75 in the intra-day trade, finally closing at Rs. 1298.50, an increase of 1.04 per cent. Sector analysts attributed the rise in stocks to the markets' ...