Nestle India Q3 net profit jumps 46% YoY to Rs 1,018 crore on record sales; interim dividend of Rs 7 declared

• Nestle India Q3 profit up 46 percent, sales hit record Rs 5,643.5 crore
• Interim dividend of Rs 7 per share approved, payable from February 26, 2026
• Confectionery, beverages saw double-digit growth; exports, e-commerce surged

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Nestle India on Thursday reported a strong set of earnings for Q3 FY26, posting record quarterly sales and a sharp rise of over 46 percent in profit. The FMCG major also announced an interim dividend of Rs 7 per share for the financial year 2025-26.

Nestle India reported profit after tax of Rs 1,018.1 crore for the October-December quarter, up 46.2 percent on-year. Total sales surged 18.5 percent year-on-year to an all-time high of Rs 5,643.5 crore, driven by broad-based, volume-led growth across product categories and channels, it said. The company’s board approved an interim dividend of Rs 7 per equity share of face value Re 1, payable from February 26, 2026.

Nestle India’s EBITDA margin stood at 21.3 percent during the fiscal third quarter, supported by operating leverage, even as the company stepped up consumer-facing media and advertising spends by 42 percent year-on-year. Earnings per share for the quarter came in at Rs 5.28.

Chairman and Managing Director Manish Tiwary said the company delivered its strongest volume growth in nearly five years, aided by capacity expansion, brand investments and a recovery in consumption following GST rate rationalisation. He added that all four product groups reported positive volume-led growth, with three recording robust double-digit growth.

Among categories, confectionery emerged as the fastest-growing segment, supported by strong rural demand, premiumisation and higher in-home consumption. Powdered and liquid beverages recorded their 18th consecutive quarter of double-digit sell-out growth, while prepared dishes and cooking aids posted strong double-digit value growth on accelerated volumes. Milk products and nutrition delivered mid-single-digit growth, with improving trends across consumer-facing channels.

The company also reported strong momentum across channels. General trade saw a sharp acceleration led by rural markets, e-commerce growth remained robust with quick commerce gaining traction, and the out-of-home business continued to expand across core food and beverage categories. Exports posted high double-digit growth, driven by demand across product groups, with coffee performing strongly.

On costs, Nestle India flagged that milk prices remain firm despite the flush season, while edible oil prices are elevated and expected to remain range-bound in the first half of 2026. However, coffee prices have stabilised at lower levels compared with last year due to favourable crop yields.

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