Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Thursday released its fiscal fourth quarter earnings report with standalone profit at 2,493 crore, up 3.6 per cent YoY. However, on a consolidated basis, HUL profit came in at Rs 2,475 crore, in line with the estimates. This was 3.36 per cent lower than Rs 2,561 crore recorded during the corresponding quarter of FY24. The profit decline is on account of fair valuation of acquisition related future liability. It posted revenue from operations at Rs 15,670 crore, up 3.02 per cent as against Rs 15,210 crore posted during the fourth quarter of previous financial year.
According to a CNBC TV18 poll, HUL was expected to post Q4 profit at Rs 2,475 crore and revenue for the quarter in review was estimated at Rs 15,161 crore.
HUL Dividend announced
HUL board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 24 for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025 on equity shares of Re 1 each. The FMCG firm had earlier paid an interim dividend of Rs 19 per share and special dividend of Rs 10 per share on 21st November, 2024. “The total dividend for the said period amounts to Rs 53 per equity share of face value of Re 1 each,” it said in a regulatory filing.
HUL FY25 performance
HUL reported a turnover of Rs 60,680 crore during FY25, up 2 per cent. This, it said, was driven by UVG of 2 per cent. EBITDA margin remained healthy at 23.5 per cent and PAT stood at Rs 10,644 crore. The Board of Directors have proposed a final dividend of Rs 24 per share and together with interim dividend of Rs 19 per share and special dividend of Rs 10 per share declared in Oct’24, the total dividend payout for the year will be Rs 12,453 crore.
Rohit Jawa, CEO and Managing Director,HUL, said, “In FY’25, our turnover surpassed Rs. 60,000 crore, with an Underlying Sales Growth of 2 per cent and an EPS growth of 5 per cent. While absolute volume tonnage grew in mid-single digit, it was partially offset by a negative mix. We delivered a competitive performance, further strengthening our market leadership during the year.”
HUL Q4 performance across business verticals
Home Care: Home Care delivered 3 per cent USG driven by mid-single digit UVG. The segment witnessed negative price growth on account of pricing actions taken to pass on commodity led benefits to consumers. Fabric Wash delivered mid-single digit volume growth led by Premium Fabric Wash and Fabric Conditioners. Household Care grew volumes in high-single digits. Liquids portfolio in Fabric Wash and Household Care continued to grow in double-digit, driven by sustained market development activities and expansion into new formats and segments.
Beauty & Wellbeing: Beauty & Wellbeing turnover grew by 3 per cent with low-single digit UVG. HUL’s Hair Care segment delivered double digit growth led by volume. “The growth was broad based across core, future core and market makers segments,” it said. Skin Care and Colour Cosmetics declined in the low-single digit impacted by mass skin performance. The business vertical also forayed into the hydration market in the quarter, with the introduction of Liquid IV.
Personal Care: Personal Care segment posted a growth of 3 per cent with low-single digit volume decline. Skin cleansing grew in low-single digits driven by calibrated pricing actions taken due to commodity inflation. The non-hygiene segment delivered high-single digit growth and bodywash continued to strengthen market leadership with double-digit growth. Oral Care witnessed low single-digit growth led by Closeup.
Foods: Foods turnover declined by 1 per cent with low-single digit price growth offset by volume decline.While tea delivered low-single digit growth driven by pricing, coffee sustained its double-digit growth momentum. Nutrition Drinks turnover declined, impacted by continued category headwinds and transitionary impact of pack-price architecture change. Packaged Foods, meanwhile, grew in mid-single digit led by outperformance in Ketchup, Mayonnaise and International Cuisines. Ice Cream delivered double-digit volume led growth, fueled by innovations and activations.
Rohit Jawa added, “This year marked a step up in our portfolio transformation with increased innovation in high-growth spaces, amplified investments in channels of the future, acquisition of Minimalist, divestment of Pureit, and the decision to demerge Ice Cream business. Looking ahead, we anticipate demand conditions to gradually improve over the next fiscal year. We are committed to the strategic objective of unlocking a billion aspirations supported by our robust business fundamentals, to continue winning competitively.”