On Wednesday, October 28, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced its July‑to‑September quarter results for the financial year 2026‑27, reporting an overall improvement in financial performance while noting that margins remained under pressure. The fast‑moving consumer goods firm disclosed that its consolidated net profits attributable to owners rose nearly 4% to ₹2,790 crore in the September quarter, compared with ₹2,685 crore in the same period a year earlier. The company highlighted that the growth in profits was largely driven by revenue gains, despite elevated raw material costs and other expenses adding pressure on margins.

HUL’s core operations revenue advanced 14.7% year‑on‑year to ₹18,037 crore in the second quarter, up from ₹15,715 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The company’s operating profit, or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), improved 8.9% YoY to ₹3,900 crore, rising from ₹3,581 crore in the prior year. However, the EBITDA margin contracted 116 basis points to 21.62% in Q2 FY27, down from 27.78% in Q2 FY26.

Overall expenses increased nearly 16% in the quarter, with raw material costs surging 13.6% to ₹6,408 crore, compared with ₹5,638 crore a year earlier. Despite the rise in costs, the company managed to lift its operating profit, reflecting efficient cost management in other areas. The management noted that the overall environment remains resilient, with healthy macro indicators supporting a positive consumption growth environment in the domestic market.

Priya Nair, CEO and Managing Director of HUL, stated that in the September quarter the company delivered 15% underlying sales growth, its highest in the last 14 quarters, with a turnover of ₹18,071 crore. She added that underlying volume growth was strong at 7%, reflecting sustained momentum driven by a focus on crafting desirable brands and strengthening future‑fit go‑to‑market strategies.

HUL’s board of directors declared a ₹19 per share interim dividend for the financial year 2026‑27, with a face value of ₹1 per share. The official record date for the dividend payment was set for Thursday, November 12, and the payment will be credited to eligible shareholders on Wednesday, November 25. This dividend return marks the first dividend to investors in the current financial year, following a ₹22 per share dividend declared in June 2026.

Following the earnings release, HUL shares rose 2.3% to an intraday high of ₹1,861.20 on Wednesday, October 28, before reversing gains and trading around 1% lower at ₹1,800. The company’s market capitalisation stood at ₹4.16 lakh crore as of that trading session. The stock reaction reflected investor focus on the fine print of the financials and the company’s dividend announcement.