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Indian jeweller Titan posts slower sales as surge in gold prices dent demand

Titan Company in India reported a 18% increase in domestic sales for the second quarter, compared to the 25% that it recorded during the same time last year. This was due to the rising gold prices which hampered demand for high-carat jewellery.

In its quarterly business update, the Bengaluru based company reported that the jewellery business, which accounts for close to 90% overall revenue, had grown 19% on an annual basis.

Gold spot prices increased 16.4% during the third quarter, as investors sought out the safest commodity amid global economic instability.

The company reported that higher gold prices led to "a marginal year-on-year decrease" in the number of buyers, even though ticket prices increased as fewer people bought more expensive items.

Titan said that the growth of studs in its Tanishq, Mia, and Zoya jewellery portfolios collectively reached the mid-teens. This was higher than the growth of plain gold jewellery.

The company reported that investment-grade gold coin sales continued to be strong for the quarter as Indians continued to choose bullion as an asset of value. Since coins have lower profit margins than jewelry, this shift has slowed the growth of overall margins in recent quarters.

Sales growth in the company's second largest business by revenue was 12%. Analog segment sales grew 17%.

Tanishq, which has more than doubled its business in America, was the main driver of the 86% growth.

(source: Reuters)