Colgate-Palmolive (India) (500830) Q4 25/26 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Q4 FY26 net sales grew 9% year-over-year to INR 1,583 crore, with domestic growth at 9.2% and broad-based gains across core and premium portfolios.

• Margin profile remains resilient and superior to peers, supported by best-in-class oral health technology and increased investments in premium products.

• Full-year FY26 sales were flat at INR 5,984 crore, but H2 showed a recovery with over 5% growth.

• Brand health remains strong, with stable or increasing top-of-mind awareness and dentist recommendations.

• Strategic focus on driving category consumption, premiumization, and innovation.

Financial highlights

• Q4 FY26 gross margin at 69.6%, EBITDA margin just over 32%, and NPAT at INR 353 crore, up 9.2% year-over-year (excluding one-offs).

• Full-year revenue at INR 5,984 crore, flat year-over-year; full-year EBITDA margin at 31.2%; NPAT INR 1,325 crore, down 1.8% year-over-year (excluding one-offs).

• Brand investments up 10% year-over-year in Q4, with advertising at 12.6% of sales.

• Dividend payout virtually 100% of NPAT, with INR 48 per share declared for FY26.

• Cash flow for the year at INR 1,806 crore; cash and cash equivalents at year-end INR 1,42,604 lakh.

Outlook and guidance

• Expect continued balanced growth between volume and pricing, with premium mix contributing more.

• Gross margins expected to remain stable; EBITDA margin will depend on advertising levels.

• Low single-digit price increases planned to offset cost pressures.

• Management confident of sustaining growth momentum, focusing on category consumption and premiumization.

• Ongoing investments in premium business delivering growth 3x the overall company rate.