Indian consumer goods maker Marico NSE:MARICO said on Thursday it expects consolidated first-quarter revenue to grow in the low-twenties percentage range, helped by robust performance across its core, digital and international businesses.
Here are the details:
The maker of Parachute coconut oil and Saffola edible oils said its India business delivered double-digit underlying volume growth, reaching a multi-quarter high.
The company expects strong growth in operating profit, driven by robust business performance and lower copra prices, despite a sharp increase in advertising and promotional spending.
Parachute posted double-digit volume growth, its highest in several quarters, while the value-added hair oils segment recorded revenue growth in the twenties, supported by premium offerings and distribution expansion, the company added.
Marico said its international business logged mid-teens percentage growth in constant currency terms, led by Vietnam and the Middle East and North Africa region, while demand in Bangladesh eased amid elevated inflation.
Marico reported a 22% rise in revenue in the fourth quarter, helped by price hikes and steady demand, although it warned of shrinking margins after Middle East tensions drove up input costs.
Marico said on Thursday it is closely monitoring the evolving inflationary conditions and the impact of El Nino on the monsoon.
Consumer goods companies are navigating a mixed operating environment, with weaker monsoon rains and higher input costs threatening rural demand, analysts at Nomura said in a note.
But healthy reservoir levels and record grain stocks are expected to provide some support, they added.