
FMCG firms set to post a steady Q4, but headwinds are building
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Mumbai: India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are set to report a largely steady March quarter, with demand holding up despite a complex operating environment. However, a volatile mix of commodity swings, geopolitical tensions and emerging inflationary pressures is beginning to cloud the outlook, even as companies rely on calibrated pricing and cost controls to protect margins.Large listed players such as Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), ITC Ltd, Nestle India, Dabur, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd and Marico Ltd are expected to reflect these cross-currents in their March quarter earnings, which will kick off later this month.“FMCG companies will be able to maintain a status quo in the domestic market this quarter,” said Ankur Bisen, senior partner and head of retail, consumer products, food and e-commerce sectors at consulting firm The Knowledge Company.
“The overall growth rate would depend on the company’s exposure to the export markets affected by the situation in the Middle East,” he added.The US-Iran war in West Asia started on 28 February 2026, so the quarter’s results may reflect the trickling in of the war disruption in its last month, March.The March quarter saw swings in input costs, with early relief in some commodities giving way to renewed pressure as the quarter progressed.Copra prices, a key input for coconut oil, have been a notable example. After surging by 130% over the past two years, prices fell about 35% this year due to increased supply from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Rising crude oil prices linked to the ongoing war in energy-rich West Asia have had a cascading impact across cost lines—from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and aluminium to plastics—flagging cost
. Read on livemint.com