Colgate Q4 Results Review: ICICI Securities Downgrades To 'Sell', Sees 32% Potential Downside — Here's Why

At 45x FY27E P/E, ICICI Securities reckons Colgate stock has the potential to derate (further meaningfully) to 30x, despite 12% underperformance vs Nifty (last 12 months).

Colgate’s Q4 FY25 revenue declined 2% YoY, with an estimated mid-single digit drop in volumes - highlighting continued weakness in the core business.(Photo: Usha Kunji/ Source: NDTV Profit)

While Colgate continues to push premiumisation and pricing to protect margins, the lack of volume recovery and pressure on core segments suggest that margin stability could be tested going ahead.

NDTV Profit’s special research section collates quality and in-depth equity and economy research reports from across India’s top brokerages, asset managers and research agencies. These reports offer NDTV Profit’s subscribers an opportunity to expand their understanding of companies, sectors and the economy. 

ICICI Securities Report

We've been long critical of Colgate Palmolive India Ltd.'s (consistent) strategy of-

  1. not investing (enough) for toothpaste category growth (our opinion),

  2. not aggressive (enough) in diversifying outside of oralcare (parent has a good home and personal care portfolio though),

  3. over-earning, in our opinion (operating margins at ~37% after adding back royalty).

Disappointing Q4 FY25 is just the beginning (revenue declined 2% YoY) of a prolonged winter. In the near-past, it has pursued a price-hike driven revenue growth strategy, which we have always believed to be unsustainable (reminds us of ~2010 era in Nestle India).

At 45x FY27E P/E, we reckon stock has the potential to derate (further meaningfully) to 30x, despite 12% underperformance vs Nifty (last 12 months).

Downgrade to Sell (from Hold) with a target price of Rs 1,800.

Click on the attachment to read the full report:

ICICI Securities Colgate Q4Fy25 Results Review.pdf
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Also Read: Gujarat Gas Q4 Results Review: Volume Growth At IPNG Remains A Concern; Systematix Maintains 'Hold'

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