Oct. 31, 2009 (The Hindu Business Line) --
(right), Chairman, Hindustan Unilever (NYSE:UL) Ltd, and Mr Nitin Paranjpe, Chief Executive Officer, announcing the company’s results in Mumbai on Saturday. —
Net profit fell to Rs 428.53 crore from Rs 546.61 crore during the same year-ago period, even as net sales recorded a five per cent rise to Rs 4,228 crore (Rs 4,027 crore).
The company said the net profit was not comparable to the previous period, when there were exceptional gains from property disposal (Rs 131 crore), and the restructuring cost of Rs 166 crore to settle workers’ dues at a closed unit.
Operating profit grew 16.48 per cent to Rs 605.72 crore (Rs 520 crore), while operating margins improved by 140 basis points, with tight cost management and operating leverage, said a company statement. “We have sustained good growth momentum in the domestic consumer business, driven by innovations and sharper execution,” said Mr Harish Manwani, Chairman, at a press meet on Saturday.
The domestic FMCG business grew seven per cent during the period under review, with one per cent coming from volume growth and the rest from higher prices.
The home and personal-care segment grew five per cent and the food business 13 per cent. Exports fell 34.72 per cent to Rs 255 crore (Rs 391 crore).
The company also stepped up advertising and promotions spend by 38 per cent to Rs 570.92 crore, driven primarily by product re-launches across various segments. The benefits will take effect in future quarters, Mr R. Sridhar, Chief Financial Officer, said.
“There has been some pressure on low-priced soaps and detergents, which contribute to about a quarter of local sales. The remaining categories have seen double-digit growth,” he added.
