HUL sales rise 15% to hit 14-quarter high, but inflation clouds demand outlook
Hindustan Unilever moved higher in a monetary policy development.
· Economic Times Markets, ET Stocks
Hindustan Unilever posted a turnover of ₹18,071 crore for the September quarter, highlighting a 15% rise. Even with a price increase of 7.5%, the company's volume growth remained stable at 7%. Homecare emerged as the standout performer, boasting a robust 22% sales growth. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation climbed to ₹4,089 crore, an 8% boost.
The analysis
Hindustan Unilever reported ₹18,071 crore and ₹4,089 crore, with movement of 7%, 8% and 15% attached to those lines. Those are the figures as filed — what moves the price is how they sit against what the market already expected, not their absolute size.
Against that, the stock is -0.1% on the day at ₹1,815.80, and has returned -10.2% over three months. It sits 27% below its 52-week high, which means a good deal of bad news was already in the price. The fmcg sector has moved -9.7% over the same period, so Hindustan Unilever is running 0.5 points behind its peers.
For Hindustan Unilever, the question is how much of this is already reflected in the price and how much re-rates the fmcg peer set alongside it.
Why it matters
- Rate decisions ripple straight into banks, NBFCs and every rate-sensitive sector — from real estate to autos.
- Earnings versus expectations is what actually re-rates a stock; the surprise matters more than the absolute number.
Market context
- In focus: Hindustan Unilever (HINDUNILVR), in FMCG.
- Over three months: Hindustan Unilever -10.2% against FMCG -9.7% (0.5 points behind).
- At least 25% below the 52-week high: Hindustan Unilever (27%).
- Trading well above normal today: Hindustan Unilever at 2.2 times its 20-day average volume.
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | 3M | From 52-wk high | Volume vs 20-day | Market cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindustan UnileverHINDUNILVR · FMCG | ₹1,815.80 | -0.1% | -4.2% | -10.2% | -27.3% | 2.2× | — |
FMCG
1M -6.0% · 3M -9.7%
Hindustan Unilever
Prices as of 28 Oct 2026, 16:11 IST. Sector moves are the average of the stocks we track in each sector.
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