Financials
Hindustan Media Ventures y-o-y PAT up 23%; ad & circulation revenue grows
BENGALURU: Hindi newspaper ‘Hindustan’, Hindi socio cultural magazine ‘Kadambini’ and children’s Hindi magazine ‘Nandan’ publishers Hindustan Media Ventures Limited reported 23.1 per cent increase in profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 41.71 crore (18.6 per cent of Total Income from Operations or TIO) in the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 (Q1-2016) from Rs 33.88 crore (16.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and 7.1 per cent more than the Rs 38.94 crore (19.3 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2015. (HMVL – not to be confused with HT Media Limited of Hindustan Times, Mint and Fever FM fame).
Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore
Advertising and Circulation Revenue:
HMVL advertisement revenue in the current quarter increased 6.9 per cent to Rs 166.2 crore from Rs 155.50 crore in Q1-2015 and 13.4 per cent more than the Rs 146.60 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. Circulation revenue in Q1-2016 increased 8.3 per cent to Rs 53.40 crore from Rs 49.30 crore in Q1-2015 and 5.1 per cent more than the Rs 50.80 crore in Q4-2015.
Let us look at the other results reported by HMVL:
The company reported 6.5 per cent increase in TIO in the current quarter to Rs 233.72 in Q1-2016 crore as compared to the Rs 210.03 crore in Q1-2015 and 10.7 per cent more than the Rs 199.3 Q4-2015.
The company’s total expenditure (TE) in Q1-2016 at Rs 174.72 crore was up 0.8 per cent from Rs 173.32 crore in Q1-2015 and was seven per cent more than the Rs 163.3 crore in Q4-2015.
A major component of HMVL’s TE is cost of raw materials (RM). In Q1-2016, HMVL’s RM cost at Rs 84.80 crore was 2.3 per cent lower than the Rs 86.81 crore in Q1-2015 and was 7.2 per cent more than the Rs 79.14 crore in Q4-2015.
The company’s employee benefit expense (employee cost) in Q1-2016 at Rs 28.72 crore was 3.1 per cent lower than the Rs 29.64 crore in Q1-2015. In Q4-2015 and was 8.3 per cent more than the Rs 26.52 crore in Q4-2015.
Company Speak:
HMVL chairperson Shobana Bhartia said, “We started the year on a positive note despite predictions of a weak monsoon and subdued rural economic growth. The quarter’s performance was according to plan, and we saw a healthy growth in operating revenue and profits. Our operations in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand continue to drive growth in advertising and profitability. And we have further strengthened our dominant leadership positions in Bihar and Jharkhand despite a higher intensity of competition. We believe we are in a good position to continue our growth momentum in the year ahead as we reap the benefits of our investments.”
MUMBAI: It’s time to brief the markets: Page Industries is showing that even when regulations tighten, it can still keep its footing in the innerwear business. The Bengaluru-based apparel major has reported its financials for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, delivering a performance that remains steady and well put together.
The company’s top line showed plenty of elasticity this quarter. Revenue from operations stretched to Rs 1,38,675.71 lakhs, a healthy jump from the Rs 1,29,085.82 lakhs reported in the preceding quarter. Compared to the same period last year, which stood at Rs 1,31,305.10 lakhs, it’s clear the brand’s grip on the market isn’t loosening. Total income for the quarter, including other finance gains, reached a comfortable Rs 1,39,919.03 lakhs.
However, it wasn’t all smooth silk. The Government of India’s new unified Labour Codes, covering everything from wages to social security, officially kicked in on 21 November 2025. This regulatory shift forced Page Industries to account for a one-time “exceptional item” cost of Rs 3,500.42 lakhs to cover incremental employee benefits and related obligations. Despite this Rs 35-crore legislative snag, the underlying business remained robust. Profit before tax stood at Rs 25,625.35 lakhs after the exceptional hit, and without that one-off cost, the figure would have been a more muscular Rs 29,125.77 lakhs. Net profit for the quarter came in at Rs 18,953.64 lakhs.
Total expenses rose to Rs 1,10,793.26 lakhs, driven largely by raw material consumption of Rs 30,162.65 lakhs and employee benefits of Rs 23,310.66 lakhs. Even so, the company’s operational strength ensured the bottom line remained firmly stitched together.
For shareholders, the news is particularly “fitting.” The Board has declared a third interim dividend for 2025-26 of Rs 125 per equity share. The record date has been set for 11 February 2026, with the payment scheduled on or before 6 March 2026. This follows two previous interim dividends of Rs 150 and Rs 125 declared earlier in the financial year, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sharing the spoils of its success.
Looking at the nine-month stretch ending December 2025, Page Industries has amassed total income of Rs 4,04,090.59 lakhs, with total comprehensive income of Rs 58,231.49 lakhs. While the basic earnings per share for the quarter dipped slightly to Rs 169.93, compared to Rs 183.48 in the same quarter last year, the year-to-date EPS remains a solid Rs 524.57.
Auditors at S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP have given the results a “limited review” thumbs up, reporting no material misstatements. It seems that, as far as Page Industries is concerned, the business remains as well-constructed as its famous Jockey briefs.
