Why Did Berger Paints’ Q2 Profit Plummet by 24% to Rs 206 Crore?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, Nov 4 (NationPress) Berger Paints India Limited disclosed a significant 23.6% year-on-year (YoY) decline in its consolidated net profit, amounting to Rs 206 crore for the quarter concluding on September 30 (Q2 FY26). This compares to a profit of Rs 270 crore during the same quarter of the preceding fiscal year (Q2 FY25), as per the company’s filing with the stock exchange.
Revenue from operations saw a modest increase of 1.9%, reaching Rs 2,827 crore compared to Rs 2,774 crore a year prior.
However, the company's profitability was adversely affected as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 19%, declining to Rs 352 crore from Rs 434 crore the previous fiscal year.
The operating margin also decreased to 12.4% from 15.6% last fiscal year.
On a standalone basis, Berger Paints reported revenue of Rs 2,458.5 crore, mere 1.1% growth from Rs 2,430.7 crore in the same quarter of last year.
Standalone EBITDA dropped by 18.8% to Rs 311.2 crore, and net profit fell 23% to Rs 176.3 crore from Rs 229 crore in the last fiscal.
For the first half of the fiscal year ending September 30, the consolidated revenue rose by 2.8% to Rs 6,028.3 crore.
However, EBITDA declined by 7.9% to Rs 880.7 crore, and net profit decreased 16.4% to Rs 521.4 crore.
On a standalone basis, half-yearly revenue saw an increase of 1.6% to Rs 5,321.1 crore, while EBITDA fell 6.5% to Rs 810.7 crore.
Net profit for this period was recorded at Rs 470 crore, down 12.1% from Rs 534.5 crore a year earlier.
Abhijit Roy, Managing Director and CEO of Berger Paints India, indicated that the company encountered subdued demand due to a prolonged monsoon season affecting sales across various markets.
Nevertheless, Berger succeeded in achieving high single-digit volume growth alongside slight revenue growth.
Roy further mentioned that profitability was impacted by decreased sales of exterior paints, an unfavorable product mix, and increased investments in brand-building initiatives during the quarter.
On Tuesday, shares of Berger Paints India closed 0.58% lower at Rs 536 each on the BSE.