Colgate‑Palmolive Q2 Net Profit ₹341.5 Cr Misses Estimates, Shares Slide

Shares of Colgate‑Palmolive Ltd. slid 2.32 % to ₹1,685 on the BSE, a drop of ₹40 on a 2‑hour session that began at ₹1,725. The dip followed the announcement of a Q2 net profit that missed consensus.

The company reported a net profit of ₹341.5 cr for the September quarter, a 4.1 % YoY rise from ₹328 cr in the same period last year, yet below the CNBC‑TV18 estimate of ₹367 cr.

Revenue jumped 12.2 % YoY to ₹1,705.7 cr from ₹1,520 cr, still shy of the ₹1,734 cr estimate. The gap reflects higher cost of goods sold and compressed margins.

EBITDA rose 1.9 % YoY to ₹474 cr, but the margin slipped to 28 % from 31 % a year earlier. Analysts had projected ₹518 cr EBITDA and a 30 % margin, indicating a 4 % margin compression.

On November 2, the board announced a ₹24 interim dividend per ₹1 face‑value share, to be paid on November 19 to shareholders on record. The dividend adds to an annual payout of ₹48 per share.

Chief Executive Manish Anandani said the firm remains on track for double‑digit top‑line growth, citing a 40‑basis‑point gross‑margin expansion to 69.6 %. Guidance for the next quarter is pending, but the company signals a focus on cost discipline and premiumisation to lift profitability.

Looking ahead, investors will watch the upcoming earnings release on December 20, where the company is expected to discuss margin recovery and potential price‑adjustment strategies amid commodity price swings.