Hindustan Unilever Posts Strong Quarterly Profit Results

Hindustan Unilever reported that profit before interest and tax (PBIT) was up 30.1 percent; net profit was Rs. 689 crore (US$140.9 million), up 21.7 percent, during the fiscal quarter that ended September 30. The company said its domestic consumer business grew 18.5 percent with strong underlying volume growth of 9.8 percent. “Growth has been broad based, and ahead of market,” the company said. “All segments have delivered double digit growth for the third consecutive quarter.” Other quarter highlights: soaps and detergents grew by 21.8 percent; personal products grew 18.2 percent; beverages grew 14.6 percent, with all brands delivering double digit growth; and inflation and commodity costs continued high. The company said higher costs were managed through “aggressive savings programs coupled with judicious pricing.”