MUMBAI:Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has managed to keep its balance sheet gleaming, reporting a five per cent jump in profit after tax to Rs 10,644 crore for FY’25, even as topline growth remained modest at two per cent. 

The year’s big soap opera? A slick pivot to premiumisation, digital demand drivers, and a hard scrub of its product portfolio.

For the March quarter (MQ’25), HUL clocked an underlying sales growth (USG) of 3 per cent, with volumes up two per cent. The FMCG major’s EBITDA margin stood at 23.1 per cent, slipping 30 basis points year-on-year, largely due to higher investments in innovation and future-facing channels. PAT for the quarter rose four per cent to Rs 2,497 crore.

The home care division sparkled, with mid-single digit volume growth buoyed by strong performance in fabric conditioners and a renewed push on premium liquids like Surf Excel Smart Shots. Liquids, in fact, are the brand’s current crush – the portfolio grew in double digits and is now being democratised with new formats and price points.

Beauty & wellbeing rose three per cent with hair care flexing double-digit volume muscle. Despite softness in mass skin care, the segment rode high on emerging channels and product launches like Liquid IV hydration sachets and summer-targeted sun care under Lakme and Vaseline.

The personal care vertical delivered three per cent USG despite a slight volume dip. Skin cleansing lathered up high-single digit growth in the non-hygiene segment, while Closeup ventured into whitening territory with its ‘White Now’ range. Lifebuoy took centre stage at the Maha Kumbh with a refreshed ‘skin protection’ pitch.

Food sales slipped one per cent, thanks to a drag in nutrition drinks, still reeling from pricing resets and category challenges. But there was flavour elsewhere – tea and coffee brewed growth, while ice cream melted hearts with double-digit volume gains and indulgent launches like Magnum Pistachio.

CEO Rohit Jawa highlighted a year of “competitive performance” driven by “portfolio transformation, premiumisation and digital-first growth”. Big moves included the Minimalist acquisition, Pureit exit, and ice cream demerger approval. HUL also declared a hefty Rs 53 per share dividend (including a special Rs 10) – a total payout of Rs 12,453 crore.

Looking ahead, the company expects demand to warm up in FY’26. With commodities stabilising, HUL is betting on low-single digit price growth and a volume-led playbook to deliver double-digit EPS growth.

While volume may not have exploded, HUL’s strategic polish, from digital detours to premium suds, helped it stay competitive, confident, and cash-rich. Not bad for a company that just turned 90.