Q3 Results: Marico To Prioritise Market Share Over Margin, Says Saugata Gupta

Fast moving consumer goods maker Marico Ltd. is not willing to sacrifice its market share to expand its operating margin in the short term.

That's according to its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Saugata Gupta, who is confident that the company can still maintain margin above the 18-percent mark.

Owner of household brand names like Parachute hair oil and Saffola edible oil, Marico's operating margin expanded to 18.8 percent in the December-ended quarter from 18.5 percent in the year-ago period.

Cost of raw materials fell 3.4 percent year-on-year during the quarter. Gupta, however, expects volatility in input costs on crude-linked raw materials going forward.

Here are the key highlights from its Q3 earnings:

• Net sales up 14.6 percent at Rs 1,861 crore
• EBITDA up 16.3 percent at Rs 350 crore
• EBITDA margins at 18.8 percent versus 18.5 percent
• Net profit up 13 percent at Rs 252 crore

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