Brands
Godfrey Phillips lights up Q3 with profit jump and board change
MUMBAI: Godfrey Phillips India (GPI) is proving that where there’s smoke, there’s a surprisingly robust balance sheet. Despite a literal trial by fire at one of its major tobacco plants this quarter, the company has delivered a set of financial results that are anything but a drag. In a board meeting concluded at 4:15 PM today, the directors approved a performance that saw nine-month profits rise from Rs 802.47 crores to a sturdy Rs 1,023.03 crores.
Total income for the quarter ended 31 December 2025 stood at Rs 2,295.94 crores, up from Rs 1,991.76 crores in the same quarter last year. For the nine-month period, revenue from operations increased to Rs 5,627.91 crores from Rs 4,871.96 crores a year earlier.
The cigarette and tobacco segment continued to be the company’s primary revenue contributor, generating Rs 2,159.06 crores during the quarter. Other segments contributed Rs 28.82 crores. The company’s ‘24Seven’ retail business has been classified as a discontinued operation, and the reported figures relate to continuing operations.
Alongside the financial results, the board approved a change in leadership. Marco Mariotti has been appointed as an additional director with effect from 1 February 2026. He represents foreign promoter Philip Morris Global Brands Inc. and brings over 25 years of experience in the tobacco industry, with leadership roles across Europe and South America.
On 10 October 2025, a fire occurred at a tobacco processing plant and warehouse in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in damage to inventory and facilities. The company has filed an insurance claim amounting to Rs 284.36 crores, including claims related to inventory loss and tax credits. Operations at the facility have since resumed, and management expects the losses to be fully recovered through insurance.
The company reported a strong financial performance, with quarterly net profit rising to Rs 353.61 crores compared to Rs 332.33 crores in the corresponding year-ago period. For the nine months ended during the period, net profit stood at Rs 1,023.03 crores. Earnings per share for the quarter came in at Rs 22.67, restated to account for bonus shares. Additionally, an interim dividend of Rs 17 per equity share was declared and paid earlier in the year.
With a “Great Place to Work” certification and a balance sheet that’s clearly in the pink, Godfrey Phillips seems well-equipped to navigate the complexities of India’s new Labour Codes and any other sparks that might fly its way. For now, shareholders can breathe easy, the outlook remains decidedly clear.
Brands
HCLTech delivers Rs 24 dividend as revenue hits Rs 1.3 lakh crore
IT giant delivers solid growth for shareholders with a major payout despite navigating global market shifts.
MUMBAI: HCLTech has clearly found the right code for financial success, proving that its operational strategy is more than just a quick fix for the digital age. The technology titan’s board of directors officially signed off on their year-end deliberations on 21 April 2026, revealing a set of annual results that suggest the company’s growth trajectory remains well-buffered against economic volatility.
The primary highlight for investors is the declaration of an interim dividend of Rs 24 per equity share (on a face value of Rs 2) for the 2026–27 financial year. Shareholders will not have to wait long for the processing of these funds; the record date is set for 25 April 2026, with payments scheduled to be completed by 5 May 2026. This follows a total dividend of Rs 54 per share already distributed during the 2025–26 fiscal year.
The consolidated annual results show a company operating at a high frequency across its global markets. Total revenue surged to Rs 130,144 crore for the year ended 31 March 2026, a significant jump from the Rs 117,055 crore recorded the previous year. Net profit remained robust at Rs 16,652 crore for the full year, despite a slight dip from Rs 17,399 crore seen in 2025. Quarterly performance also reflected steady momentum, with Q4 revenue reaching Rs 33,981 crore and net profit at Rs 4,490 crore, compared to Rs 30,246 crore in revenue during the same period last year.
The company’s diverse service portfolio played a balanced role in this financial performance. IT and Business Services remained the primary engine, contributing Rs 96,094 crore to annual revenue. Engineering and R&D Services showed strong growth, climbing to Rs 22,056 crore for the year, while HCL Software maintained a consistent stream of Rs 11,994 crore.
It was not entirely smooth scrolling, as the company had to account for specific financial hurdles. HCLTech faced a one-time impact of Rs 956 crore due to the New Labour Codes. Additionally, total expenses for the year rose to Rs 108,616 crore. This was largely driven by employee benefits, which reached Rs 74,143 crore, a figure that reflects the ongoing high costs of securing top-tier tech talent in a competitive market.
On the standalone front, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 10,024 crore for the year. However, the final quarter saw a standalone loss of Rs 900 crore, which the company attributed to a material Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (BAPA).
Despite the rise in costs, HCLTech’s financial “cache” remains substantial. Total assets grew to Rs 116,258 crore as of 31 March 2026, compared to Rs 105,544 crore a year earlier. The company’s cash and cash equivalents stood at a healthy Rs 8,195 crore at year-end, providing ample bandwidth for future investments and expansion.
As the global tech landscape continues to shift, HCLTech appears to have the right architecture to maintain its performance, ensuring that for its investors, the future remains highly user-friendly.
