Brands
Sundrop Brands posts 80 per cent Ebitda jump in Q3
Revenue rose 10 per cent while gross margins expanded 330 basis points
GURUGRAM: The latest quarterly results from Sundrop Brands, formerly known as Agro Tech Foods, suggest the snack-maker has found its second wind. For the quarter ended 31 December 2025, consolidated revenue rose about 10 per cent on a pro forma basis, supported by strong trading performance, the company said in its earnings call.
Under the stewardship of group managing director Nitish Bajaj, the firm is aggressively pivoting from low-margin staples towards “joyful food experiences” in the premium packaged segment.
The strategy appears to be paying off in the P&L; consolidated Ebitda soared by 80 per cent during the quarter, aided by a 330-basis-point expansion in gross margins. This “profitable growth” was driven largely by the foods business, even as the company ramped up marketing spend by 22 per cent to defend its turf.
The group’s flagship popcorn brand, Act II, remains the “crown jewel”. Ready-to-eat formats grew at a blistering 36 per cent as they muscle into the wider snacks market, maintaining a “moat” through a savvy Rs 10 price point and an efficient backend that challenges newcomers like Marico’s 4700 BC.
However, it is not all smooth sailing; the spreads business remains under pressure from nimble competitors, prompting a flurry of seven new high-protein peanut butter launches to regain lost share. Despite these hurdles, the company’s innovation engine is humming, with new products launched in the last two years now accounting for 5 per cent of total sales, or some Rs 55 crore.
Integration with the Del Monte franchise is also yielding fruit, particularly in B2B channels which now account for 40 per cent of that division’s revenue. While a dip in global olive oil prices dented value growth, volumes in the Italian segment jumped by 16 per cent, with olive oil volumes alone surging by 34 per cent. This suggests that Sundrop’s appetite for market share is far from sated. The company is also betting big on digital distribution, with quick-commerce channels growing at nearly 50 per cent and sales force automation now covering over half of its vast retail network.
Looking ahead, Sundrop Brands has signaled an ambitious intent to double its top line over the next three to four years, targeting a compounded annual growth rate of roughly 15 per cent.
Management aims to squeeze further efficiencies from the business, eyeing a 3-4 per cent expansion in gross margins and a 3 per cent reduction in SG&A costs, while keeping the marketing budget steady at 6 per cent of revenue.
With a fresh five-year Esop plan tying management’s fortunes to these performance milestones, the board is betting that this racy trajectory is more than just a flash in the pan.
Brands
Hyundai India posts record February sales of 66,134 units
Domestic sales hit 52,407 (plus 9.8 per cent YoY) and exports 13,727 (plus 24.8 per cent YoY) in Feb 2026.
MUMBAI: Hyundai India just floored the accelerator because when February sales hit an all-time high, even the calendar wants to take a victory lap. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) reported its highest-ever February sales since inception, clocking 66,134 units in February 2026, a robust 12.6 per cent year-on-year growth. The figure comprises domestic sales of 52,407 units (up 9.8 per cent YoY) and exports of 13,727 units (up 24.8 per cent YoY), marking the strongest February performance for both total and domestic volumes in the company’s history.
HMIL MD & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We kicked-off 2026 on a high note achieving our highest-ever monthly sales in January and the momentum continues in February. With a total sales (domestic plus exports) of 66,134 units, the highest for any February in our history, we posted a robust growth of 12.6 per cent YoY. This includes domestic sales of 52,407 units, also the highest-ever February sales since inception.”
The results reflect HMIL’s strong product momentum, growing export footprint, and focus on connected technology and ownership experience as the company nears 30 years in India. As one of the country’s leading passenger vehicle makers, the February numbers underline sustained demand across segments and markets, with exports showing particularly sharp acceleration.
In a market where every month counts toward yearly targets, HMIL’s February surge isn’t just a number, it’s proof that when the road gets busy, Hyundai knows exactly how to keep the pedal down and the smiles wide.
