Hindustan Unilever Limited reported 15% sales growth for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, and declared a ₹19 dividend. Despite this strong performance, the stock fell 1.8% on the NSE. Management said they remain confident in the company’s future growth, even as they face rising commodity costs in the market.
Hindustan Unilever Limited on Wednesday reported its highest underlying sales growth in 14 quarters, even as the stock slid sharply on the NSE following the results announcement.
The FMCG major posted consolidated turnover of ₹18,071 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, a 15 per cent underlying sales growth (USG) driven by 7 per cent underlying volume growth (UVG). EBITDA rose 8 per cent year-on-year to ₹4,089 crore, with margins at 22.6 per cent, down 140 basis points. Profit after tax before exceptional items grew 9 per cent to ₹2,795 crore, while reported PAT stood flat at ₹2,796 crore due to a one-off ₹273 crore tax-related gain in the base period.
The board declared an interim dividend of ₹19 per share for FY2027, with a record date of November 12, 2026, and payment on November 25, 2026.
All four business segments posted growth. Home Care led with 22 per cent USG on double-digit volume growth. Beauty & Wellbeing recorded 16 per cent USG, driven by Hair Care and Skin Care. Personal Care and Foods each delivered 9 per cent USG. For the first half of FY27, consolidated turnover reached ₹35,255 crore with 12 per cent USG and PAT before exceptional items growing 9 per cent.
Despite the strong operating performance, the stock fell 1.8 per cent to ₹1,779.80 on the NSE by mid-morning, touching an intraday low of ₹1,765.50 — near its 52-week low of ₹1,758.20. The stock has declined roughly 29 per cent over the past year and nearly 23 per cent year-to-date, significantly underperforming the Nifty 50.
Management flagged continued commodity inflation in the near term but maintained its EBITDA margin guidance of 22–24 per cent and expressed confidence in FY27 outperforming FY26, anchored to its “Winning in New India” strategy.