HUL reports lowest volume growth in six quarters as rural show disappoints

Revenue, net profit miss analysts' estimates even as margins improve

Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the country’s largest consumer goods company, reported its lowest volume growth in six quarters for the January-March period (Q4), on the back of moderation in rural demand.

For the quarter under review, HUL saw 7 per cent volume growth against 11 per cent in the year-ago period. From the December 2017 quarter to December 2018 quarter (Q3FY18 to Q3FY19), HUL reported volume growth in the region of 10-12 per cent, after gaining from price cuts under the goods and services tax regime, coupled with consumer uptick in urban and rural areas.

On Friday, Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Mehta