Brands
Havells keeps the power on with steady Q3 growth despite cost headwinds
MUMBAI: Margins may flicker, but the lights stayed on at Havells India Limited in the December quarter. The consumer electrical major reported standalone revenue of Rs 5,573.44 crore in Q3 FY26, up from Rs 4,882.50 crore a year earlier, signalling resilient demand across categories despite inflationary pressures and higher input costs. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 5,616.17 crore, compared with Rs 4,946.53 crore in Q3 FY25.
Profit after tax for the quarter came in at Rs 301.36 crore, marginally lower than Rs 317.48 crore in the previous quarter but higher than Rs 282.81 crore reported a year ago. For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, Havells posted a net profit of Rs 971.18 crore, broadly flat compared with Rs 966.58 crore in the corresponding period last year, underlining operating stability in a volatile environment.
On the cost side, raw material and component consumption rose to Rs 3,096.37 crore in Q3 FY26, reflecting higher volumes and commodity prices. Advertising and sales promotion spend stood at Rs 154.01 crore, while employee benefits expense increased to Rs 489.54 crore, mirroring continued investment in brand visibility and talent. Total expenses for the quarter were Rs 5,166.28 crore.
Operating performance translated into earnings per share of Rs 4.80 for the quarter, compared with Rs 4.51 in Q3 FY25. For the nine-month period, basic EPS stood at Rs 15.49, largely in line with last year’s Rs 15.42.
For the nine months ended December 2025, Havells reported revenue from operations of Rs 15,777.88 crore, up from Rs 15,213.60 crore a year earlier, while profit before tax came in at Rs 1,293.21 crore after accounting for an exceptional item of Rs 45.03 crore.
The numbers point to a company navigating cost pressures without losing grip on demand. While margins remain under watch, Havells’ Q3 performance suggests steady consumer pull and disciplined execution, keeping the brand firmly switched on as it heads into the final quarter of the financial year.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
