Hindustan Unilever Limited announced its results for the quarter and year ended 31st March 2025.
March Quarter Results
HUL reported an Underlying Sales Growth[a] (USG) of 3% and an Underlying Volume Growth[b] (UVG) of 2%. EBITDA margin at 23.1% declined 30 bps year-on-year. Profit After Tax before exceptional items (PAT bei) and Profit After Tax (PAT), both grew by 4%.
Home Care: Competitive mid-single digit volume growth
Home Care delivered 3% 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 digit. 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. Further strengthening our offering in the premium portfolio, Surf Excel Smart Shots with superior formulation and benefits was relaunched in the quarter.
Beauty & Wellbeing: Low-single digit growth led by strong competitive performance in channels of the future
Beauty & Wellbeing turnover grew by 3% with low-single digit UVG. Hair Care delivered double digit growth led by volume. The growth was broad based across Core, Future Core and Market Makers segments. Skin Care and Colour Cosmetics declined in low-single digit impacted by mass skin performance. Investment in channels of the future continue to yield positive results with the segment delivering double-digit competitive growth in these channels. Forayed into hydration market in the quarter, with the introduction of Liquid IV. To leverage the onset of the summer season, sun-care products under Lakme and Vaseline were launched. Glow & Lovely underwent a complete 6P relaunch to reposition the brand with an elevated proposition, supported by extensive digital media deployment.
Personal Care: Low-single digit growth driven by non-hygiene segment in Skin Cleansing
Personal Care grew 3% with low-single digit volume decline. Skin cleansing grew in low-single digit driven by calibrated pricing actions taken due to commodity inflation. 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. Expanding play in the premium segment, Close-up White Now toothpaste range was launched. Lifebuoy was relaunched at the Maha Kumbh with an enhanced ‘Skin Protection’ proposition and superior product formulation.
Foods: Growth in Beverages, Packaged Foods and Ice Cream offset by Nutrition Drinks
Foods turnover declined by 1% with low-single digit price growth offset by volume decline. Tea delivered low-single digit growth driven by pricing and maintained its value and volume leadership. 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 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. Expanding our Future Core and Market Makers portfolio, 3 new flavours of Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Ready-to-drink Bru tetra pack and an exciting range of Ice Creams including Magnum Pistachio and Kwality Walls Twister were launched in the quarter.
Financial Year 2024-25
Turnover of FY’25 at Rs. 60,680 Crores grew 2% driven by UVG of 2%. EBITDA margin remained healthy at 23.5%. PAT at Rs. 10,644 Crores grew 5% year-on-year while PAT bei grew by 1%. The Board of Directors have proposed a final dividend of Rs. 24 per share, subject to approval of shareholders at the AGM. 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 Crores.
Rohit Jawa, CEO and Managing Director, HUL commented: In FY'25, our turnover surpassed Rs. 60,000 Crores, with an Underlying Sales Growth of 2% and an EPS growth of 5%. 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. 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.