HUL Q3 FY26 ad spends pegged at Rs 1,522 cr; PAT down 30% YoY

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) pegged its advertising and promotion spends at Rs 1,522 crore in Q3 FY26, up 2.4% year-on-year (YoY) from Rs 1,486 crore, though down 6.7% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) from Rs 1,632 crore in Q2 FY26, as per its unaudited consolidated results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.

The FMCG major reported a 5.7% YoY rise in revenue from operations to Rs 16,197 crore in Q3 FY26, compared to Rs 15,322 crore in Q3 FY25. On a sequential basis, revenue rose 3.1% from Rs 15,715 crore in Q2 FY26.

Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 16,580 crore, up 5% YoY from Rs 15,788 crore, and up 3.2% QoQ from Rs 16,066 crore.

Total expenses increased 6.4% YoY to Rs 13,078 crore, compared to Rs 12,294 crore in Q3 FY25. Expenses also rose 4% QoQ from Rs 12,580 crore in Q2 FY26.

Profit before tax (PBT) declined sharply to Rs 2,919 crore, down 27.6% YoY from Rs 4,033 crore and down 21.2% QoQ from Rs 3,702 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter came in at Rs 2,118 crore, down 30% YoY from Rs 3,027 crore and down 24.1% QoQ from Rs 2,791 crore.

The drop in profitability was driven by exceptional items, with the company reporting an exceptional loss of Rs 576 crore during the quarter, compared to an exceptional gain of Rs 538 crore in Q3 FY25 and an exceptional gain of Rs 219 crore in Q2 FY26.

Nine-month performance: ad spends pegged at Rs 4,752 cr

For the nine months ended December 31, 2025 (9M FY26), HUL pegged advertising and promotion spends at Rs 4,752 crore, up 4.1% YoY from Rs 4,566 crore in the same period last year.

Revenue from operations rose 4.3% YoY to Rs 47,464 crore in 9M FY26, compared to Rs 45,505 crore in 9M FY25. Total income increased 3.8% YoY to Rs 48,604 crore, versus Rs 46,846 crore a year ago.

Total expenses climbed 5.3% YoY to Rs 38,223 crore, compared to Rs 36,290 crore in 9M FY25.

Profit before tax (PBT) declined 10.4% YoY to Rs 9,888 crore, compared to Rs 11,030 crore in the year-ago period, while PAT fell 11.2% YoY to Rs 7,650 crore from Rs 8,610 crore.

Category update: Home Care leads, Beauty & Wellbeing and Foods grow 6%

In its business update, HUL said Home Care delivered 3% underlying sales growth (USG) with mid-single digit underlying volume growth (UVG). The company noted the segment continued to see a negative price impact due to pricing actions taken during the year.

Beauty & Wellbeing reported 6% USG with low-single digit UVG, led by volume-led growth in Hair Care. Personal Care grew 6%, driven by Skin Cleansing and Oral Care. Foods also delivered 6% USG, led by high-single digit UVG, while Tea saw mid-single digit UVG but low-single digit revenue growth due to price reductions in a deflationary commodity environment.

Commenting on the performance, Priya Nair, CEO and Managing Director, said, “During the quarter, demand trends reflected early signs of recovery, underpinned by supportive policy measures. Against this backdrop, we delivered a competitive performance, with 6% Revenue Growth and 4% Underlying Volume Growth. We continued to build desirability at scale with our brands, accelerate market development in high-growth demand spaces and strengthen our capabilities to scale Channels of the Future with a dedicated organisation for Quick commerce. As market leaders in FMCG, our commitment to build modern brands, lead category creation and invest disproportionately to build future moats, places us in good stead to deliver sustained volume-led growth and create long-term shareholder value.”