Hindustan Unilever’s Underlying Sales Growth Reaches 15% in September Quarter
Key Facts
Hindustan Unilever recorded underlying sales growth of 15% in the quarter ended September 2026, its highest level in 14 quarters, while underlying sales volume growth reached 7%, according to Business Standard. The result put both sales and volume growth at strong levels in a single quarter, with sales volume rising alongside underlying sales value. Results were announced on October 28, after which the company’s shares rose 2.3% to an intraday high, according to Upstox. Business Standard said underlying sales growth was “the highest in 14 quarters.” The results combined accelerating sales and expanding volumes with profit growth and a decline in operating margin.
On the earnings front, consolidated net profit attributable to owners of the parent rose 3.9% year on year to 2,790 crore rupees in the September 2026 quarter, from 2,685 crore rupees in the corresponding quarter of 2025, according to Business Standard. Profit after tax before exceptional items grew more, rising 9.5% to 2,795 crore rupees from 2,553 crore rupees a year earlier. The two figures show different profit trends: a limited increase in net profit attributable to owners, compared with a larger rise in profit before exceptional items. The newspaper reported that “profit after tax before exceptional items rose 9.5%.” This measure’s growth rate therefore exceeded that of net profit attributable to owners in the year-on-year comparison.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation rose 8% to 4,089 crore rupees in the quarter, compared with 3,785 crore rupees in the corresponding period, according to Business Standard. But the metric’s margin fell 140 basis points to 22.6%, from 24% a year earlier. The comparison means that growth in the value of operating earnings did not prevent their share of sales from falling: the metric grew while the margin contracted year on year. The newspaper reported that “the EBITDA margin contracted to 22.6%.” This puts margin pressure alongside underlying sales growth of 15% and operating earnings growth of 8%.
At the segment level, both personal care and foods recorded underlying sales growth of 9% during the quarter, according to Business Standard. Food sales volume growth was in the low single digits, indicating that segment sales growth outpaced its volume growth. In personal care, the skin cleansing category posted double-digit growth, according to the company’s statement; the statement did not specify a steady sales volume growth rate for the segment. The performance of the two segments breaks down the sources of underlying sales growth, while the available volume figures show a difference between foods and the company’s overall volume growth of 7%. Business Standard said the foods segment recorded “low single-digit volume growth.”
The board declared an interim cash dividend of 19 rupees per share for fiscal 2027, according to Business Standard. The company set November 12, 2026, as the record date, with payment scheduled for November 25. The schedule puts the record date after the results announcement on October 28, with the payment date about two weeks later. The company said payment was scheduled for “November 25.” The dividend adds a shareholder decision to quarterly results that included growth in sales, volumes and earnings, alongside a decline in operating earnings margin.
In a separate move from Indian market prices, EL7 data recorded a close for ticker ul at 65.05 on October 27, 2026. That is the closing value for the index on the specified date, while Upstox reported that Hindustan Unilever shares jumped 2.3% to an intraday high on October 28 after the results were released. The available material did not report a rupee share price or any subsequent move after the intraday gain. The market event attributed in the coverage remains the stock reaching an intraday high and rising 2.3% after the announcement.