Hindustan Unilever HUL

Leading consumer companies, including Hindustan Unilever and Asian Paints, are planning price hikes ahead of the festive season as higher commodity costs and inflationary pressures squeeze margins

Hindustan Unilever's net profit declined on a high tax-credit base, while net sales rose 10 per cent and underlying volume growth stood at 5 per cent in Q1FY27

Underlying volume growth was 5 per cent, while EBITDA rose 8 per cent to ₹3,947 crore and its margin narrowed 40 basis points to 23 per cent year-on-year

India's top FMCG companies presented a mixed picture on staff strength in 2025-26, with Hindustan Unilever and Dabur trimming their permanent workforce even as most players in the sector raised median employee remuneration, according to disclosures in their annual reports. While Nestle India, Marico and Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) added to their headcount during the fiscal, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Dabur saw a decline in permanent employees on their rolls, the filings showed. Median remuneration increases across companies in FY26 ranged between 6.08 per cent and 12.1 per cent, with Tata Consumer Products leading and HUL trailing among the five majors. HUL's permanent employee count fell to 5,898 as of March 31, 2026, from 6,604 a year earlier, a reduction of over 700 employees. The percentage increase in the median remuneration of employees for the financial year was 6.08 per cent, lower than the 8.39 per cent increase recorded in FY25. However, in FY26, the average sala

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) remains confident about India's long-term growth prospects despite near-term economic challenges, with the FMCG major betting on rising consumption, premiumisation and digital transformation to drive future growth, Chairman Nitin Paranjpe said. Acknowledging that the near-term environment will continue to present challenges, Paranjpe while addressing the shareholders, said, "India has consistently demonstrated resilience, emerging stronger through periods of uncertainty". "For HUL, with deep roots in the country, we will navigate this environment with agility and discipline - anchored in our unwavering commitment to serve our consumers," he said in the latest annual report. Paranjpe said HUL, which owns popular brands as Surf excel, Dove, Horlicks, Lifebuoy, Lakme, and Brooke Bond and reaches 9 out of 10 Indian households, is investing decisively in its future, reimagining its business with the consumer at the centre. It is strengthening its portfolio a

HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe says strong domestic demand, structural reforms and digital transformation continue to underpin India's long-term growth prospects

HUL beats estimates on cost control and strong volume growth, but margin pressures from rising input costs may trigger further price hikes ahead

Consumer goods giant says it is 'navigating headwinds' created by heightened geopolitical tensions

As early signs of commodity inflation return to the FMCG basket, analysts at ICICI Securities believe HUL is structurally better positioned to navigate the cycle.

The combined market valuation of nine of the top-10 most valued firms eroded by Rs 2,18,902.09 crore last week, with Bharti Airtel taking the biggest hit in line with a bearish trend in equities. Last week, the BSE benchmark tanked 1,527.52 points or 1.84 per cent. "Equity markets ended the week under notable pressure as persistent geopolitical tensions and weakness in technology stocks weighed on sentiment," Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said. From the top-10 pack, Hindustan Unilever emerged as the only gainer. The market valuation of Bharti Airtel tumbled Rs 55,852.12 crore to Rs 10,71,853.25 crore. HDFC Bank's valuation eroded by Rs 37,580.1 crore to Rs 13,65,659.38 crore. The market valuation of Reliance Industries dropped by Rs 34,846.12 crore to Rs 18,86,832.66 crore, and that of Bajaj Finance tanked by Rs 20,316.41 crore to Rs 6,20,070.59 crore. Tata Consultancy Services' market capitalisation (mcap) slumped Rs 18,180.89 crore to Rs 9,53,872.59 crore.

On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the stock listed at ₹29.8 per share, marking a discount of ₹10.4 or 25.8 per cent

British multinational consumer goods maker said "fundamentals" of its business in India, its second largest market after the US, are improving. In the fourth quarter, Unilever, in the home care segment, reported a 4.7 per cent underlying sales growth along with a volume growth of 4 per cent, which, according to the company, was supported by "continued strong volume in India". "India was a key contributor to this momentum, with Home Care delivering mid-single-digit volume growth, led by strong performance in liquids across fabric wash and household care, and reaching its highest ever market share," said its CEO, Fernando Fernandez, in Unilever's earnings calls for the fourth quarter. Fernandez said across geographies US and India are clear "anchor markets" for Unilever. Replying to a query over growth, he said: "India, it's improving both in terms of economic backgrounds and the fundamentals of the business, particularly the strengthening of our brand equities... brand superiority .

The selling pressure on the counter came after brokerages stayed cautiously constructive on HUL, with execution and volume-led growth need to improve, while margins are anticipated to stay stable.

Underlying PAT grows 1 per cent to ₹2,562 crore; revenue up 5.6 per cent in Q3FY26; HUL to fully acquire OZiva for ₹824 crore, divest Wellbeing Nutrition stake

Brokerages tracked by Business Standard estimate HUL's net profit to average ₹2,568.5 crore, compared to ₹2,541 crore a year ago, up 1 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y)

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ICICI Securities identified four key growth levers for HUL. First, demand for large-pack units in personal care categories has shown strong responsiveness to lower prices following GST cuts.

The brokerage's constructive view is backed by the recent goods and services tax (GST) cut on ice cream, a strong cold-chain and distribution network, and a premium brand portfolio

Hindustan Unilever has named Vandana Suri to its management committee as executive director for home care, succeeding Srinandan Sundaram, who will become CEO of Unilever International from 1 January

Nuvama Institutional Equities believes HUL's ice cream business, given its lower margins and smaller scale, will likely be valued at a lower multiple than the core franchise.