Business Bulletin Weekly 01 May 2023
In today's business bulletin, we will see that Hindustan Unilever has increased its profit by 10%, but they are concerned about their raw material costs. Additionally, the Indian power sector is struggling with debt and power theft, but there is hope for improvement. Recently, NCPCR has summoned Bournvita for their 'misleading' ads and packaging. Furthermore, MG Motor has launched its new electric car "Comet," which will compete with the legacy of the Tata Nano. Last but not least, Coca-Cola's business is booming, as their sales crossed $11 billion in Quarter 1.
FMCG King HUL Increases Profit by 10%, but Concerned about Raw Material Cost
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) - the maker of Surf detergent and Bru Coffee - has reported a 10% annual increase in net profit for the January-March quarter, reaching Rs 2,552 crore.
However, volumes have only increased by 4% compared to the previous quarter, and the company's growth is still related to price hikes. HUL's CEO, Sanjiv Mehta, stated that the current operating environment is challenging due to high inflation and adverse weather conditions, but there has been some relief as inflation has eased in some key commodities. Raw material costs have also decreased to some extent, but HUL has been informed that key commodity prices remain elevated compared to their long-term averages.
The normal monsoon is uncertain due to bad weather conditions, so HUL will focus on competitive volume growth and maintaining a favorable price-value equation. The company also aims to increase investments in advertising and promotions. However, HUL shares fell by approximately 1.5% during Thursday afternoon trading, and other FMCG stocks such as Dabur and Marico were also in the red zone.
Overall, HUL's profit growth appears positive, but the rising costs of raw materials are a major concern for the company. It is hoped that the operating environment will become less challenging, requiring HUL to maintain competitiveness in the market through innovative approaches.
Challenges and Solutions for State Electricity Boards in India
The biggest reason for the poor condition of state electricity boards is extravagant spending and political interference. "The gap between the average cost of supply and the tariff is increasing. Many DISCOMs have improved their ACS-ARR gap based on receiving subsidies in FY22, but for some DISCOMs, the gap has further widened," said Anish Mandal, partner at Deloitte India.
Political pressure leads to demands for subsidies and low tariffs, which weakens SEBs' ability to pay their dues and sign new contracts with power generating companies.
According to Power Finance Corporation, the total debt of the power distribution sector reached Rs 6.2 lakh crore in 2022, a 24% increase since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. However, progress has been made. The speed of debt addition has slowed down, especially due to central government pressure, state governments increasing electricity charges, loan takeovers by state governments, and improved subsidy disbursement and dues collection.
But there is still much work to be done. Power theft and losses during transmission are significant. According to estimates, India suffers a loss of Rs 1.32 lakh crore every year due to power theft. According to data from the Central Electricity Authority in 2018, 27% of the power generated in India is lost due to dissipation or theft.
What is the solution? "Smart meters, smart grid implementation, efficient power procurement, better infrastructure, etc.," said Mandal. "In addition, utilities will have to make more use of technology to reduce commercial losses."
NCPCR has summoned Bournvita for 'misleading' ads and packaging!
It seems that trouble has come for Bournvita! The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked this popular health drink brand to withdraw all 'misleading' ads, packaging, and labels. Why? Because a video stated that this drink contains excessive sugar, and we all know that it is not suitable for children!
This video was posted by a social media influencer, Revant Himatsingka, who mentioned that Bournvita has a lot of sugar. They removed this video after receiving a legal notice from Mondelez India (the owner of Bournvita), but it had already been viewed 12 million times!
NCPCR has instructed Mondelez International to review and withdraw all 'misleading' ads, packaging, and labels, along with providing a detailed explanation/report on this matter so that they can inform the commission.
Bournvita has responded to this viral video, stating that they have earned consumer trust for the last 7 decades because it is a scientifically formulated product that follows quality standards and complies with the country's laws. However, they now need to be more transparent about their ingredients and sugar content. We will now see what happens next!
MG Motor's New Electric Car "Comet" Takes On Tata Nano's Legacy
MG Motor has launched its new electric vehicle, the Comet EV, with an introductory price of Rs. 7.98 lakh. The Comet aims to challenge the market dominance of the Tata Nano and target the urban youth demographic who are concerned about their carbon footprint. The Comet is a two-door vehicle that can accommodate a driver and at least three passengers. It features Apple iPod rotary dials and internet connectivity. The Comet has a certified range of 230 km per full charge, with a monthly charging cost of just Rs. 519 per thousand kilometers. Rajeev Chaba stated, "The Comet is not just a car; it demonstrates our determination to change the way we commute in our cities." The question is, will young customers embrace the Comet? The Comet EV is an affordable, stylish, and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation that could be the perfect ride for those seeking such qualities.
If you are in search of an affordable, stylish, and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation, the Comet EV could be the perfect ride for you.
Coca-Cola's Business Booming: Sales Cross USD 11 Billion in Q1!
Is Coca-Cola your favorite soda? Recently, your favorite company, Coca-Cola, reported sales of over USD 11 billion in its first quarter, surpassing the expectations of Wall Street's prominent analysts.
So, what's the secret of Coca-Cola's success? They are silently hiking their prices and changing their package sizes to make you buy more. Quite clever, indeed! Their business is also booming in China, where sales increased by 10% after the COVID-related shutdowns.
However, Coke is not experiencing all bubbles and fizz. Sales remained flat in North America because people are reducing their intake of water, tea, and coffee. In Europe, case volumes declined due to business suspensions in Russia and an earthquake in Turkey.
Coke has also made heavy investments in marketing. They conducted a marketing experiment with artificial intelligence company OpenAI and consulting firm Bain and Co., using ChatGPT and DALL-E. Additionally, they launched a promotion that allows you to create digital art using their archives. How cool is that?
Overall, it seems like Coca-Cola is on a sugar high, as their shares increased by 1% in premarket trading on Monday.