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ASIANPAINT Consumer 23 Jul 2024

Asianpaint Ltd — Q1 FY25

Asian Paints reported a challenging Q1 FY25 with standalone revenue declining -3% YoY and volume growth of 7% (vs 10% last year), missing the double-digit target.

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Revenue ₹8,970 Cr -3%
EBITDA
EBITDA Margin
Duration
Read Time 1 min read

✓ Verified against BSE filing

2-Minute Summary

✦ AI-Generated from Full Transcript

Asian Paints reported a challenging Q1 FY25 with standalone revenue declining -3% YoY and volume growth of 7% (vs 10% last year), missing the double-digit target. The weak performance was driven by heatwaves, general elections, and adverse product mix (higher share of lower-margin economy products). Gross margins contracted to 42.9% due to raw material inflation and mix. Management noted a recovery in June and expects double-digit volume growth in Q2, aided by festive demand and rural uptick. However, employee costs surged 23% YoY due to hiring for distribution expansion, pressuring EBITDA. Risks include sustained input cost inflation (1.8% in Q1, further 1.5% expected) and potential demand slowdown in real estate. The company has taken a 1% price hike and may take more, but the value-volume gap is expected to remain at 5-6%.

Promises0 met · 3 missedRisks3 trackedTranscriptfull text
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Sustained raw material inflation

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Quarter Snapshot

Volume Growth 7%
-3pp YoY

Volume growth decelerated from 10% in Q1 FY24 to 7% in Q1 FY25, missing double-digit target.

Retail Touchpoints 1.65L
+5K QoQ

Distribution network expanded to 1.65 lakh retail touchpoints, supporting rural penetration.

NPD Contribution 12%
flat YoY

New product development contributed 12% to top line, consistent with prior periods.

Beautiful Homes Stores 61
+15 YoY

Store count increased to 61, driving growth in kitchen and bath categories.

What Changed vs Last Quarter

Comparing Q1 FY25 vs Q4 FY24
1 new guidance2 dropped2 new risk3 risk resolved
NEW
Further price increases of ~1.5% expected

Management anticipates additional raw material inflation of 1.4-1.5% in Q2 and will take further price hikes accordingly.

UPDATED
Double-digit volume growth expected in Q2 FY25

Management expects volume growth to return to double digits in Q2, driven by festive season and rural recovery.

UPDATED
Value-volume gap to remain at 5-6%

The gap between volume growth and value growth is expected to stay in the 5-6% range, aided by price increases and mix improvement.

DROPPED
PBDIT margin guidance maintained at 18-20%

Management reiterated its medium-term PBDIT margin guidance of 18-20%, with levers including supply chain efficiencies and backward integration.

DROPPED
Neo Bharat launch to boost economy segment

The new latex-based product priced at distemper level is expected to drive significant volume growth in the bottom-of-pyramid market.

NEW RISK
Employee cost overhang

Employee costs surged 23% YoY due to hiring for distribution expansion, and management indicated these costs will persist, potentially weighing on EBITDA margins.

NEW RISK
Adverse product mix from rural growth

Higher growth in economy segments (distempers, Neo Bharat) and slower premium sales could continue to drag value growth and margins.

RISK GONE
Down-trading from premium to economy segments

Q4 saw some down-trading, especially in rural areas, which could persist if inflationary pressures continue, impacting product mix and margins.

RISK GONE
Competitive intensity from new entrants (Birla Opus)

Analysts raised concerns about new competition with aggressive pricing. Management downplayed the threat, but the risk of market share loss remains.

RISK GONE
Slowdown in B2B business due to elections

Government project spending slowed in Q4 due to election code, and recovery may be delayed, impacting the B2B segment.

🤫 Topics management stopped discussing

Continued weakness in kitchen & bath business

Mentioned in Q1 FY24, Q2 FY24, Q3 FY24

Kitchen business was flat, bath business declined 5% YoY. Despite being small, these segments have not grown as expected and remain unprofitable.

PBDIT margin band of 18%-20% for FY24

Mentioned in Q1 FY24, Q2 FY24, Q3 FY24

Company reiterated its PBDIT margin guidance of 18-20%, with plans to deploy higher marketing spends.

Geopolitical tensions could reverse raw material deflation

Mentioned in Q3 FY24, Q4 FY24

Management noted that crude and monomer prices are volatile, and any geopolitical disruption could lead to input cost inflation, pressuring margins.

Global business headwinds in Nepal and Egypt

Mentioned in Q1 FY24, Q3 FY24

Nepal continues to be a worry with no turnaround expected in Q4; Egypt faces forex availability issues and currency depreciation.

Home decor to reach 7%-8% of decorative sales by FY26

Mentioned in Q1 FY24, Q3 FY24

Home décor business currently at 4% of decorative revenue; target is to reach 8-10% over time.

Fast read

Guidance and risk preview

Top guidance Double-digit volume growth expected in Q2 FY25

Management expects volume growth to return to double digits in Q2, driven by festive season and rural recovery.

Top risk Sustained raw material inflation

Input costs rose 1.8% in Q1 and are expected to rise another 1.5% in Q2, pressuring gross margins if price hikes are not fully passed through.

View Risks →