MAM
Pop-up ads may soon be history
MUMBAI: While most of the times they are harmless and innocuous, the pop ups are nevertheless a constant irritant to net surfers. Yet the in-your-face ads have always worked well for the advertisers.
But looks like the advertising fraternity will soon have to look at an alternative and cheap mean to promote their fare. Microsoft, last week, confirmed that it intends to add pop-up blocking to Internet Explorer as part of its Service Pack 2 release, due the first half of 2004.
According to the media reports, Microsoft plans to include the IE pop-up blocking feature, and will gather user feedback before announcing further details. But the question is how effective will it be. The consumers already have plenty of access to pop-up blockers. Only if the company decides to turn it on by default that would effectively kill pop-up advertising on the Web.
The Nielsen//NetRatings found that the pop ups accounted for 7.4 per cent of all online ad impressions in Q3 2003, up from 3.0 per cent last year. The industry sources suggest that pop-ups share of the online media pie is more than double what it was a year ago.
Despite increased use, publishers and advertisers say they’re unconcerned about the prospect of an end to pop-ups. According to the advertisers only few pop-ups are as effective as the half-page ads. Industry sources indicate that Rich media and search are the drivers of the future.
Its only time before they are replaced by something more effective and tech sound.
Brands
Nestlé India posts 14.9 per cent sales growth, profit rises in FY26
FMCG major sweetens returns with dividend as strong domestic demand leads
NEW DELHI: Nestlé India has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, with sales and profits rising steadily on the back of robust domestic demand.
The company posted total income of Rs 231,949.5 million for FY26, up from Rs 202,645.5 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 14.9 per cent. Domestic sales remained the key driver, increasing 14.6 per cent to Rs 221,187.0 million, while exports contributed Rs 9,527.6 million to the overall tally.
The final quarter of the financial year added extra momentum, with total sales rising 23.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. This helped lift the company’s annual profit to Rs 35,446.0 million, up from Rs 33,145.0 million in FY25.
Shareholders are set to benefit as the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share. This comes on top of the interim dividend of Rs 7.00 per share paid in February 2026. The record date for the final dividend has been fixed as 10 July 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 3 July 2026. If approved, the payout will begin from 30 July 2026.
During the year, the company’s paid-up equity share capital doubled to Rs 1,928.3 million following a 1:1 bonus share issue, strengthening its capital base. The results were also supported by a Rs 1,207.8 million credit from exceptional items, including a Rs 2,023.2 million writeback from resolved income tax litigation, partially offset by restructuring costs and expenses related to new labour codes.
On the cost front, material costs rose to 44.8 per cent of sales for the full year, compared to 43.6 per cent in the previous year, reflecting ongoing input cost pressures. Despite this, the company maintained solid profitability, with EBITDA coming in at Rs 53,060.6 million.
Overall, Nestlé India’s performance underscores its ability to balance growth and margins in a challenging environment. With steady demand, disciplined cost management and consistent shareholder returns, the company appears well placed to carry its momentum into the next financial year.
