HUL may report double-digit growth in Q2 led by GSK Consumer

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever is expected to report strong double-digit growth in the September quarter following the merger of GSK Consumer Healthcare but organic growth could be in a single digit compared to the year-ago period.

Consolidated revenue and operating profit growth could be more than 15 percent for the quarter ended September 2020 YoY, while profit is expected to be more than 10 percent YoY.

"We model 2.7 percent growth in organic revenues (up 15.3 percent YoY including GSK Consumer Healthcare acquisition) in the domestic FMCG business led by 2 percent growth in underlying volume growth (organic). We expect improvement across most segments, including personal care. Colour cosmetics, deodorants and out-of-home consumption categories continue to be weak," said Kotak Institutional Equities, which sees around 10 percent YoY rise in profit.

The brokerage sees 1.5 percent growth YoY in personal care, 4 percent in the home-care segment and 4 percent in the packaged food and refreshments segment (organic). "A price-increase led growth in the tea segment will be offset by weak sales of out-of-home consumption products. GSK Consumer Healthcare portfolio would witness about 4 percent decline in sales due to disruption at two facilities."