New Delhi: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), India’s leading FMCG giant, reported a sharp 30% year-on-year decline in consolidated profit from continuing operations for the October-December quarter of FY26, dropping to Rs 2,118 crore from Rs 3,027 crore last year.
The results, announced on Thursday, highlight challenges in the core business despite overall gains. Including profits from discontinued operations, which featured a one-time boost from the ice cream demerger, total consolidated profit surged to Rs 6,603 crore.
Excluding this exceptional gain, profit after tax rose marginally by 1% to Rs 2,562 crore, indicating steady underlying performance amid rising costs.
Total revenue grew to Rs 16,580 crore from Rs 15,788 crore, driven by volume and pricing strategies. However, expenses climbed to Rs 13,078 crore from Rs 12,294 crore, squeezing margins.
EBITDA improved 3% to Rs 3,788 crore, but the margin slipped 70 basis points to 23.3% from 24%, reflecting inflationary pressures and competitive dynamics.
CEO Priya Nair emphasized sustained brand investments, market expansion in high-growth areas, and readiness for quick commerce scaling. “We’ve kept our brands compelling at scale, accelerated market development in high-growth pockets, and strengthened capabilities for future channels with a dedicated quick commerce organization,” she stated.
Looking ahead to FY27, HUL anticipates improved performance over FY26, fueled by portfolio shifts, channel transformations, and supportive macroeconomic stability alongside policy measures boosting consumption.
Investors will watch how HUL navigates urban slowdowns and rural recovery, with its diversified portfolio offering resilience in a volatile market.