HUL Q4FY18 results preview: Rise in rural demand to aid performance

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) is likely to announce its fourth quarter results later in the day today. According to analysts, HUL will gain from: 1) expected pick‐up in rural demand; 2) lower goods and service tax (GST) rates on more than two-third of its portfolio; and 3) benefits from sustained cost‐savings programs.

In the previous quarter (Q3FY18), the company, reported 28% year-on-year (YoY) rise in net profit at Rs 13.26 billion. The FMCG major had reported a net profit of Rs 10.38 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.

On a year-to-date basis, the stock has rallied around 9.6% and has