Brands
Indigo paints signs MS Dhoni as ambassador
MUMBAI: Decorative paint manufacturers, Indigo Paints, has signed MS Dhoni as brand ambassador.
The company has inked a deal with MSD for the next several years and plans to launch the advertising campaign on television, print and digital by August.
Cricketer and brand ambassador MS Dhoni says, “Very happy to be associated with a young and vibrant brand like Indigo Paints, which is emerging as a challenger to the established players. Reminds me of my early days, and would be glad to help the brand reach great heights.”
Indigo Paints MD Hemant Jalan adds, “Dhoni’s journey from a small town boy to a global icon is inspiring. Indigo’s journey is also similar to that of MSD. Hence we feel that MSD’s persona is an excellent fit for our brand. His appointment has been received with unprecedented enthusiasm within our sales team and the paint dealer community. We are confident of creating clutter-breaking ads using MSD, and getting a similar reaction from the end-consumers too.”
Indigo Paints has been in business since 2000 and has emphasised on launching new paint concepts for the consumer and invented paint categories which never existed before like Floor paints, Ceiling paints, PU Enamel, etc. This differentiation has helped Indigo Paints clock a CAGR of over 40 per cent over the last 10 years.
Brands
Nestlé India posts Rs 45,641 crore profit before tax in FY26
Strong cash flow of Rs 50,475 crore offsets higher costs, payouts.
MUMBAI: If there’s one thing brewing stronger than coffee this year, it’s Nestlé India’s balance sheet. The FMCG major closed FY26 with a solid financial performance, serving up steady growth even as costs and cash outflows kept the pressure simmering. For the year ended March 31, 2026, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 45,641 crore, up from Rs 43,161 crore in the previous year. The numbers reflect resilience in core operations, supported by a strong consumption backbone across domestic and export markets.
Cash, meanwhile, was anything but idle. Nestlé India generated Rs 50,475 crore in net cash from operating activities, a sharp jump from Rs 29,345 crore last year highlighting robust underlying demand and improved working capital efficiency. Inventory reductions alone contributed Rs 2,809 crore, while trade payables rose by Rs 5,878 crore, adding further liquidity support.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. On the investing side, the company deployed Rs 8,297 crore towards property, plant and equipment, even as overall investing cash outflow stood at Rs 6,236 crore. Financing activities saw a significant drain, with Rs 31,794 crore flowing out driven largely by dividend payouts of Rs 23,139 crore and repayment of short-term borrowings.
The balance sheet tells a story of expansion with caution. Total assets rose to Rs 1,31,824 crore from Rs 1,21,933 crore, while equity climbed to Rs 51,569 crore, reflecting improved reserves and retained earnings. Cash and cash equivalents surged to Rs 13,205 crore, a sharp rise from Rs 761 crore a year ago, underscoring stronger liquidity despite heavy outflows.
Operationally, depreciation and amortisation expenses increased to Rs 6,992 crore, while finance costs and provisions continued to shape the cost structure. At the same time, working capital movements especially in inventories and receivables played a key role in boosting cash generation.
The broader takeaway? Nestlé India’s FY26 performance is less about headline growth and more about financial muscle. With strong cash flows cushioning rising investments and payouts, the company appears to be balancing expansion with discipline keeping its books as carefully measured as its recipes.
