HUL Q1 net likely up 10 pct on margin; growth around 5 pct

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL), which is set to announce its first quarter earnings on July 18, expects a profit of 10% year-on-year to Rs. 1,156 crore on margin expansion, according to average of estimates of analysts.

In a poll conducted by CNBC-TV18, the company revenue is seen rising 5.6% to Rs. 8,557 crore in the quarter ended June 2016 from Rs. 8,105 crore in year-ago period with volume growth around 4.5-5.5%.

Meanwhile, the gross margin is likely to be at around 52.5-53% for the quarter but expansion may taper going ahead as commodity prices are bottoming out.

As per the analysts, benefits from monsoon and 7th Pay Commission may be seen October 2016 onwards.

Operating profit may increase 9% to Rs. 1,641.8 crore and margin may expand 60 basis points to 19.2% compared to year-ago period.