Research And Views Archives

Unilever v/s Procter & Gamble: War of the Worlds
(Sector Info)

Jul 4, 2013

In this series, Equitymaster examines ongoing battle between global FMCG majors

Colgate: A SWOT analysis
(Company Info)

Mar 16, 2005

A name synonymous with the Indian oral care industry, Colgate, is the undisputed market leader in toothpastes with over 45% share in the Rs 21 bn (90,000 TPA) oral care segment. The company's parent has a presence in over 200 countries worldwide. In India, Colgate ranks No.1 in top of the mind recall in many consumer surveys. Let's take a look at the company's journey over the years and what's in for it in the future.

Gillette: Razor's edge
(Company Info)

Mar 14, 2005

Synonymous with shaving and a dominant brand in personal grooming, oral care and portable power products, Gillette USA, operates in India through it's 52% subsidiary Gillette India Ltd. Since India is an upcoming economy, let's see what the company's strategy is for this region and evaluate its journey so far.

P&G and Gillette deal: Implications?
(Company Info)

Jan 28, 2005

Reportedly, Proctor and Gamble (P&G) has plans to acquire Gillette globally. Though this is yet to be confirmed, we analyse in this article, the implications of the same on the Indian subsidiaries respectively.

Gillette: Ad push bruises margins
(Company Info)

Oct 15, 2004

Revenue growth of shaving products major, Gillette India, seems to be back on track. After reporting a staid 5% topline growth during the June quarter, the company is back to double digit growth at 16% YoY. However, operating margins took a toll on the company's profitability (down over 8% YoY). On a nine month basis, Gillette has reported nearly 13% topline and around 24% bottomline growth.

FMCG perspective
(Sector Focus)

Jan 2, 2004

The indices continue their bull run, backed by expectations of continued buoyancy in the economy, favourable political environment as well as expectations of higher allocation to India by foreign funds. One sees renewed interest in the FMCG sector, which was one of the key laggards in 2003. Why so?

Gillette: Turnaround continues
(Company Info)

Aug 6, 2003

Gillette India’s 2QFY04 topline performance might look disappointing at one glance but for the fact that previous period figures are incomparable due to demerger of the company’s Geep battery business and discontinuation of some of the product lines. Despite that, if one were to consider the company’s profits growth and improved operating margins, the picture looks promising.

FMCG: March quarter 2003 update…
(Sector Info)

May 3, 2003

The year 2002 was a tough one for the FMCG companies. We saw in our recap on the FMCG sector that our sample of 5 leading companies finished 2002 with a 6% dip in topline. However, improvement in operating efficiencies helped the sample achieve a respectable 13% bottomline growth (excluding extraordinary items) during the year.

Gillette: 'Mach'o first quarter numbers
(Company Info)

Apr 22, 2003

Gillette India Ltd. has started FY04 on an encouraging note. The company has reported Rs 82 m as net profit during the March quarter, as compared to Rs 26 m loss in the correponding quarter last year. The company's sales were up 19% YoY during the quarter.

Gillette: Geared to benefit
(Company Info)

Feb 21, 2003

Shaving products major, Gillette India, has reported a significant 40% decline in net sales during the December quarter. However, the company has reported a significant improvement in bottomline. Gillette India finished 4QFY03 with a lower loss of Rs 33 m, as compared to a significant Rs 332 m net loss during 4QFY02.

Gillette: 'Shaving' focus pays
(Company Info)

Oct 29, 2002

Shaving products major, Gillette India, has reported YoY 13% decline in net sales during the September quarter. However, the company has reported a significant improvement in bottomline. Gillette India finished 3QFY03 with Rs 81 m net profit, as compared to Rs 36 m net loss during 3QFY02.

FMCG: A retrospect
(Sector Focus)

Oct 5, 2002

The FMCG sector is facing one of the toughest market conditions currently. Economic slowdown, bad monsoon and consequently, consumer down trading have taken a toll on companies. To gauge the extent of difficulty, let’s take a look at the first half of 2002 (January – June, 2002).

Gillette: The nick is healing…
(Company Info)

Aug 1, 2002

Shaving products major, Gillette India, has reported a much better performance in June quarter, both YoY and as compared to the March quarter. Net sales was up 7% YoY and the company reported Rs 43 m as net profit compared to a Rs 10 m loss in 2QFY02.

FMCG march quarter: A review
(Sector Info)

Jul 4, 2002

The consumer products sector has been in a downturn for over a year now. Going by the consolidated March quarter performance of the top 5 companies, the situation has not really improved. The top 5 companies referred to here are Hindustan Lever (HLL), Colgate, Gillette, P&G and Reckitt Benckiser.

Gillette: The bleeding continues
(Company Info)

Apr 29, 2002

Shaving products major, Gillette India, has reported a 26% dip in topline growth during the March quarter. The sales for the quarter were lower on account of discontinuation of export sales of Duracell batteries coupled with overall general slowdown in some of the key product categories.

Gillette: Signs of healing
(Company Info)

Apr 2, 2002

On the surface Gillette India had a bad 2001. The company finished its financial year with Rs 278 m as net loss. The company also reported a 4% dip in turnover YoY. However, 2001 may well be the base on which Gillette India will launch its expected recovery in 2002.

FMCG: Looking for the rural trigger
(Sector Info)

Nov 30, 2001

The consumer products sector has reported a much better performance in terms of turnover growth in the September quarter as compared to the June quarter this year. The sample of the top five companies in the sector reported a 7% turnover growth as compared to just over 2% growth in the June quarter.

Gillette India: Got 'nicked' this time too!
(Company Info)

Oct 25, 2001

Gillette India has posted a net loss of Rs 6 m (excluding extraordinary VRS expenses)for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 as compared to a net profit of Rs 56 m in the previous year. However, the figures are not comparable as in September quarter last year the effect of Gillette's merger with Duracell and Wilkinson was not accounted for.

Reckitt: Vision 2004
(Company Info)

Oct 4, 2001

Reckitt Benckiser India Ltd. (formerly Reckitt & Colman India) is India's leading player in the mosquito coils, shoe care, fabric care, lavatory care and anti-septic liquid segments. With more international players eyeing the domestic household care market, the going might get tough for the company.

FMCG: June quarter synopsis
(Sector Info)

Aug 16, 2001

The June quarter was nothing to write home about for the Indian consumer products sector. The FMCG sample that consists of HLL, Henkel, Gillette, Colgate and Reckitt recorded a marginal 2.3% topline growth during the quarter, with a net profit growth of 17% YoY (excluding extraordinary income).