Brands
A coat of caution as Berger Paints sees profits lose a little gloss
MUMBAI: Even the brightest colours can look dull under harsh light. Berger Paints India Limited closed the December quarter with steady revenues but softer profitability, as modest growth failed to offset margin pressure. For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, revenue from operations edged up just 0.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2,984.0 crore, compared with Rs 2,975.1 crore in the same period last year. Including other income of Rs 30.5 crore, total income stood at Rs 3,014.5 crore.
Costs, however, refused to stay in the background. Total expenses rose to Rs 2,627.1 crore, driven by higher employee costs of Rs 227.6 crore and other expenses of Rs 536.0 crore, even as raw material consumption eased to Rs 1,369.7 crore.
As a result, profit before tax slipped to Rs 352.2 crore, down from Rs 394.4 crore a year earlier. After a tax outgo of Rs 80.1 crore, net profit declined 8.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 271.3 crore, compared with Rs 296.0 crore in the December 2024 quarter.
Operating performance mirrored the muted tone. EBITDA (excluding other income) stood at Rs 471.0 crore, marginally lower than Rs 471.7 crore a year ago, signalling limited operating leverage amid subdued demand.
The softer trend extended to the longer period. For the nine months ended December 2025, Berger Paints reported revenue from operations of Rs 9,012.2 crore, up 1.9 per cent year-on-year. However, net profit fell 13.8 per cent to Rs 792.8 crore, compared with Rs 919.9 crore in the corresponding period last year, reflecting sustained pressure on margins.
Earnings per share for the December quarter came in at Rs 2.33, down from Rs 2.53 a year ago, while nine-month EPS stood at Rs 6.78.
The numbers suggest a business still selling steadily, but not quite repainting the growth story with bold strokes. For Berger Paints, the December quarter was less about dazzling finishes and more about holding ground while waiting for demand and margins to brighten again.
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.
