Pidilite Industries Returns to Double-Digit Volume Growth, Expands Margins, Ventures into Lending and Paints

Pidilite Industries has announced encouraging financial results for the second quarter (Q2), achieving an Underlying Volume Growth (UVG) of 10.3%, its first double-digit growth in five quarters. This performance signifies a recovery in demand and operational efficiency. The company successfully converged volume and value growth, with gross margins improving by 24 basis points and operating margins expanding by 52 basis points year-on-year (YoY), even with an 80% increase in advertisement costs.

The core Consumer & Bazaar (C&B) segment, which constitutes about 80% of revenue, saw a robust 10.4% UVG. This growth was supported by declining material costs and increased advertising and sales promotion (A&SP) spending. The Business-to-Business (B2B) segment also showed healthy growth with 9.9% UVG. Rural demand continues to lead urban demand, a trend supported by strategic customer engagement initiatives like ‘Pidilite Ki Duniya’, although urban markets are showing initial signs of recovery. Key product categories like tile adhesives and floor coatings are performing well, though competition in tile adhesives is intensifying.

Internationally, Pidilite’s business grew moderately by 4.5% YoY, facing challenges from global uncertainties. Domestically, subsidiaries maintained strong momentum with 10.7% YoY revenue growth despite external challenges.

**New Business Forays:** Pidilite has entered the lending business by acquiring Pargro Investments for Rs 10 crore, aiming to support its ecosystem partners. It has also launched Haisha Paints, entering the interior decorative paints market and leveraging its existing distribution network. While these ventures are in nascent stages, they show potential for future growth.

**Outlook & Valuations:** The company's growth outlook remains strong, buoyed by factors like a favourable monsoon, potential GST 2.0 benefits, and increased construction activity. However, the stock is trading at a premium valuation of 57 times estimated FY27 earnings, suggesting limited room for error.

**Impact** This news is likely to have a positive impact on Pidilite Industries' stock performance, reinforcing investor confidence in its growth strategy and market leadership. The return to double-digit growth and margin expansion are strong indicators of business health. The new ventures add diversification potential. However, the high valuation might temper immediate upside. The impact rating is 7/10.

**Heading: Difficult Terms Explained** **Underlying Volume Growth (UVG):** This measures the growth in the quantity of goods sold, excluding the impact of any acquisitions or divestitures. **Basis Points (bps):** A unit of measure equal to one-hundredth of a percentage point (0.01%). **Year-on-Year (YoY):** A comparison of financial data from the current period to the same period in the previous year. **Advertisement and Sales Promotion (A&SP):** Spending by a company on marketing and advertising activities. **Business-to-Business (B2B):** Transactions or business conducted between two companies. **Consumer & Bazaar (C&B):** Refers to Pidilite's segment serving general consumers and retailers. **GST 2.0:** Potentially refers to expected future improvements or changes in the Goods and Services Tax regime in India. **Loans:** Borrowed money that is expected to be paid back with interest.