HUL Posts Fastest Sales Growth in Three Years, Warns of Price Hikes Due to Iran War Impact

Mumbai: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) warned of fresh price increases resulting from surging crude oil-linked commodity costs triggered by the Iran war, even as stable consumer demand helped India's largest consumer goods maker post its fastest growth in three years in the March quarter.

The maker of Surf Excel and Dove, whose performance is considered a proxy for broader consumer sentiment in India, on Thursday reported a 7% year-on-year sales growth in the January-March period to ₹16,207 crore. Volume, a measure of the quantity of products consumers bought, increased 6%. Profit after tax before exceptional items rose 4% to ₹2,711 crore.

Priya Nair, managing director at HUL, said demand trends remained stable with an increasing trend in the quarter, driven by fiscal and monetary support measures, benign inflation and improving rural indicators.

"We are now seeing a sequential step-up in terms of our growth. This is really because of the measures we have taken. There are two factors—one is having fiscal monetary measures, which have overall led to better consumer demand, and… doubling down on the moves we have made," said Nair.

She said growth during the fourth quarter of 2025-26 was driven by sharper allocation of resources behind a few large priorities, modernising brands with more premium and niche offerings, and strengthening omnichannel capabilities across quick commerce, e-commerce and general trade.

HUL has committed Rs 2,000 crore in capital expenditure to premium formats and has reorganised operations under a unified India structure to speed up decision-making. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased 6% from a year earlier.