Financials
Q3-2015: HUL marketing spends up 5 per cent at Rs 977 crore
BENGALURU: Indian FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever Limited’s (HUL) Advertisement and Promotions expense (ASP) in Q3-2015 at Rs 977.12 crore (12.6 per cent of Total Income from operations or TIO) was 5.1 per cent more than the Rs 929.46 crore (12.9 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding quarter of last year and 5.6 per cent more than the Rs 925.05 crore (12.1per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015.
During the nine month period ended 31 December 2014 (9M-2015) the company’s ASP at Rs 2807.05 crore (13.3 per cent of TIO) was 2.7 per cent more than the Rs 2773.26 crore (12.5 per cent of TIO) during 9M-2014.
Note: (1) 100 lakh = 100,00,000 = 1 crore = 10 million.
(2) All figures in this report are standalone figures filed by the company.
The company reported a 7.6 per cent y-o-y jump in TIO in Q3-2015 to Rs 7774.32 crore from Rs 7223.35 crore in Q3-2014 and just a meagre 1.8 per cent increase from the Rs 7639.33 crore in Q2-2015. YTD, HUL’s TIO at Rs 23129.98 crore was 10.5 per cent more than the Rs 20925.03 crore in 9M-2014.
Fig A below shows the ASP trend of the company over an eleven quarter period starting Q1-2013 until the current quarter Q3-2015. In terms of absolute rupees, ASP shows an upward linear trend with the current quarter’s ASP being the highest. ASP in Q2-2013 (Quarter ended 30 September 2012) at Rs 768.98 crore (12.2 per cent of TIO). ASP in terms of per centage of TIO was highest in Q2-2014 at 13.8 per cent (Rs 954.02 crore), while the lowest ASP in terms of per centage of TIO was in Q4-2014 at 11.8 per cent (Rs 944.88 crore). The company’s ASP in terms of per centage of TIO shows a declining trend.
Fig B below indicates HUL’s TIO and PAT trends during the above mentioned eleven quarter period. The company’s TIO shows an upward linear trend with the current quarter’s TIO highest and TIO during Q2-2013 being the lowest at Rs 6318.81 crore. During the period under consideration, TIO in Q1-2015 registered the highest q-o-q growth at 8.8 per cent to Rs 7716.34 crore from Rs 7094.10 crore in Q4-2014. TIO in Q4-2014 registered the sharpest drop at 1.8 per cent from Rs 7223.35 crore in Q3-2014 during the same eleven quarter period.
HUL recorded an increase of 17.9 per cent in PAT to Rs 1252.17 crore (16.1 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2015 from Rs 1062.31 crore (13.3 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014 and a 26.7 per cent increase from Rs 988.16 crore (12.9 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015. During 9M-2015, PAT grew 10.1 per cent to Rs 3297.17 crore (14.3 per cent of TIO) from Rs 2995.36 in 9M-2014. In terms of per centage of TIO, as well as in absolute rupees, HUL’s PAT was highest in Q1-2013 at 20.9 per cent and Rs 1331.19 crore. While PAT shows a slight linear decline in absolute rupees during the period under consideration, in terms of per centage of TIO, the linear decline is more marked.
Kotak Securities FMCG analyst Ritwik Rai said, “HUL’s Q3-2015 results disappointed as volume growth (3 per cent, y-o-y) missed our estimates (5 per cent estimate). The company has reported that its volume and value growth remains ahead of the sector. Gross margins expanded in line with expectations. Excluding one-time provisions in employee expenses, the reported EBITDA came in 5 per cent below our estimates. We would expect that sales growth of the company shall pick up in the coming quarters, as lower inflation, improved sentiment help lift volume growth. Benefits of lower commodity prices are visible in the quarter, and will continue to be a useful tailwind for the company. The stock could see some near-term pressure, given sharp run-up in recent sessions and disappointing Q3-2015 results. However, our medium-term view on the stock remains constructive.”
HUL chairman Harish Manwani added, “We have delivered another quarter of competitive growth and margin improvement. We continue to strengthen the core of our business and drive the competitiveness of our brands in the market. At the same time, we are leading market development in relatively nascent categories such as packaged foods and premium personal care with strong results. Given the fast changing external environment, we are managing our business dynamically for sustained volume led growth and margin improvement.”
MUMBAI: It’s time to brief the markets: Page Industries is showing that even when regulations tighten, it can still keep its footing in the innerwear business. The Bengaluru-based apparel major has reported its financials for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, delivering a performance that remains steady and well put together.
The company’s top line showed plenty of elasticity this quarter. Revenue from operations stretched to Rs 1,38,675.71 lakhs, a healthy jump from the Rs 1,29,085.82 lakhs reported in the preceding quarter. Compared to the same period last year, which stood at Rs 1,31,305.10 lakhs, it’s clear the brand’s grip on the market isn’t loosening. Total income for the quarter, including other finance gains, reached a comfortable Rs 1,39,919.03 lakhs.
However, it wasn’t all smooth silk. The Government of India’s new unified Labour Codes, covering everything from wages to social security, officially kicked in on 21 November 2025. This regulatory shift forced Page Industries to account for a one-time “exceptional item” cost of Rs 3,500.42 lakhs to cover incremental employee benefits and related obligations. Despite this Rs 35-crore legislative snag, the underlying business remained robust. Profit before tax stood at Rs 25,625.35 lakhs after the exceptional hit, and without that one-off cost, the figure would have been a more muscular Rs 29,125.77 lakhs. Net profit for the quarter came in at Rs 18,953.64 lakhs.
Total expenses rose to Rs 1,10,793.26 lakhs, driven largely by raw material consumption of Rs 30,162.65 lakhs and employee benefits of Rs 23,310.66 lakhs. Even so, the company’s operational strength ensured the bottom line remained firmly stitched together.
For shareholders, the news is particularly “fitting.” The Board has declared a third interim dividend for 2025-26 of Rs 125 per equity share. The record date has been set for 11 February 2026, with the payment scheduled on or before 6 March 2026. This follows two previous interim dividends of Rs 150 and Rs 125 declared earlier in the financial year, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sharing the spoils of its success.
Looking at the nine-month stretch ending December 2025, Page Industries has amassed total income of Rs 4,04,090.59 lakhs, with total comprehensive income of Rs 58,231.49 lakhs. While the basic earnings per share for the quarter dipped slightly to Rs 169.93, compared to Rs 183.48 in the same quarter last year, the year-to-date EPS remains a solid Rs 524.57.
Auditors at S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP have given the results a “limited review” thumbs up, reporting no material misstatements. It seems that, as far as Page Industries is concerned, the business remains as well-constructed as its famous Jockey briefs.
