In the world of business, advertising plays a crucial role in reaching out to consumers. Hindustan Unilever (HUL), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, understands this well. The company has always been at the forefront of innovative advertising strategies. In the quarter ending on March 31, 2024, HUL took a significant leap in its advertising expenditure. The total ad spend for this quarter was Rs 1,586 crores. When compared to the same period last year, which saw an ad spend of Rs 1,290 crores, this marks a substantial increase of 22.9%. This increase in ad spend is a clear indication of HUL’s commitment to strengthening its brand presence and reaching out to more consumers.
While the company has been aggressive in its advertising strategy, it has also been mindful of its financial performance. For the quarter ending March 31 of the financial year 2023–24 (Q4 FY24), HUL announced a six percent decrease in standalone net income. The net income for this quarter was Rs 2,406 crore, a slight dip from the Rs 2,552 crore profit announced during the same period last year. This decrease in net income could be attributed to various factors, including increased operational costs and investments in advertising and marketing.
Despite the slight dip in net income, HUL has seen an increase in its total revenue. According to a filing on BSE, the FMCG company’s total revenue increased to Rs 15,441 crore in Q4. This increase in revenue is a positive sign, indicating that the company’s products continue to enjoy strong demand in the market.
Looking at the company’s performance for the entire fiscal year 2023–24, there are several positive takeaways. The overall net profit for the year totaled Rs 10,277 crore. This marks a slight 1.5 percent rise from the previous year’s reported net profit of Rs 10,120 crore. Furthermore, the company’s overall income for FY24 stood at 62,707 crore. This shows a growth of 2.64 percent compared to the 61,092 crore recorded in FY23. These figures indicate that HUL has managed to maintain steady growth despite the challenging market conditions.
On the expenditure front, the firm’s overall costs increased by 2.3 percent to Rs 48,783 crore, compared to Rs 47,683 crore in the previous year. This increase in costs could be attributed to various factors, including increased advertising spends and operational costs. Despite the increase in costs, the company declared a dividend of Rs 24 for each share, indicating its commitment to rewarding its shareholders.
The stock market is often seen as a barometer of a company’s financial health. On Wednesday, prior to the release of the company’s financial results, HUL’s stock price on BSE ended at Rs 2,260.05. This stock price is a reflection of the market’s confidence in HUL’s financial performance and future growth prospects.
Rohit Jawa, CEO and MD of HUL, provided valuable insights into the company’s performance and future outlook. He expressed optimism about consumer demand gradually improving due to a normal monsoon and better macro-economic indicators. He emphasized the company’s focus on operational excellence, investment in brands, and long-term capabilities. He also highlighted the company’s journey of ‘Transform to Outperform’, aimed at serving the evolving aspirations of Indian consumers. This vision for the future is a testament to HUL’s commitment to innovation and growth.
Also Read: The Unseen Impact of Misleading Ads: A Deep Dive into the Patanjali Case
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