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India's Asian Paints tumbles as Q2 profits, sales volumes dissatisfy

Asian Paints' shares slumped one of the most in over four years on Monday, as cost cuts throughout its items and floods in some parts of India dented secondquarter sales volumes and dragged revenue below analysts' estimates.

The stock fell as much as 9.3% on the day to the bottom of the benchmark Nifty 50 index, and was set for its worst day because March 2020.

Asian Paints, India's largest paintmaker by market share, has formerly flagged weak demand for its premium items as inflation-hit consumers pick more affordable options.

To win them back, and with competition in the sector tightening following Grasim Industries' entry, incumbents have been forced to cut rates.

Volume slowdown, market share loss and faster-than-expected scale-up for brand-new entrants are crucial dangers for Asian Paints, Morgan Stanley analysts stated in a note.

Asian Paints on Saturday said revenue almost cut in half to 6.95 billion rupees in the three months ended Sept. 30, missing out on experts' estimate of 10.19 billion rupees, information assembled by LSEG showed.

Analysts at Jefferies were worried about competitors, stating it blurred the outlook, while Nomura added that total sales for the company will still look anaemic despite sales volumes most likely enhancing in the second half of this financial.

Its sales volumes declined 0.5%, trailing a 3.6% development at peer Berger Paints and 4% at Kansai Nerolac.

Net sales fell 5% to 80.03 billion rupees, listed below the revenue estimate of 85.06 billion rupees. Berger Paints' sales was largely flattish and Kansai posted a 5% drop, said Macquarie.

Out of 34 analysts covering the company, at least 2 devalued the stock after outcomes while two cut respective target prices, per LSEG information.

Berger and Kansai Nerolac shares decreased 2.6% and 2.3%,. respectively, on Monday.

(source: Reuters)