Hindustan Unilever has reported an increase in its advertising and promotion expenditure (adex) for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, reflecting continued investment in brand building.
The company has recorded advertising and promotion spends of Rs 6,261 crore in FY26, compared to Rs 5,989 crore in FY25, marking an approximate 4.5% year-on-year increase.
The rise in adex has come alongside a 5% growth in consolidated turnover, which has reached Rs 63,763 crore in FY26, up from Rs 60,573 crore in the previous financial year.
Despite the higher spends and revenue growth, profitability has remained largely stable. Consolidated profit after tax has stood at Rs 10,652 crore in FY26, marginally lower than Rs 10,680 crore reported in FY25.
On the cost side, total expenses have increased to Rs 51,157 crore from Rs 48,256 crore a year earlier, with advertising and promotion continuing to be a key component of overall expenditure.
For the March quarter, the company has reported advertising and promotion spends of Rs 1,509 crore, compared to Rs 1,423 crore in the corresponding period last year.
The company has also reported that total sales from continuing operations have grown 5% during the financial year, while EBITDA has increased 2%, indicating moderated margin expansion amid continued investments.
Additionally, the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 22 per share, taking the total dividend for FY26 to Rs 41 per share.
