Berger Paints (I) FY26 Annual Earnings Summary
4 quarters covered · ₹11,880 Cr revenue · ₹1,127 Cr PAT · 11.8% average EBITDA margin.
Quarter-by-quarter progression
Management promises made during the year
Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q1 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q1 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q2 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q2 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q2 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q3 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q3 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q3 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q4 FY26Current-quarter commentary contains related risk or weakness, so the promise appears not to have been delivered yet.
Q4 FY26Risks flagged during the year
If demand recovery post-Diwali is weaker than expected, volume and margin recovery could be delayed.
Q1 FY26 · mediumNew player (Birla) has gained ~5.5-6% market share, and JSW-Akzo merger could increase competition. Management notes initial euphoria is over but competition remains elevated.
Q1 FY26 · mediumEarly and heavy monsoon in May-June led to lower volume growth (5.5% vs expected high single-digit). July also heavy, potentially deferring demand recovery.
Q1 FY26 · mediumManagement highlighted currency volatility, tariff wars, and geopolitical tensions as key risk factors for the business outlook.
Q2 FY26 · mediumNew entrant continues aggressive advertising and consumer schemes, which may pressure market share and pricing.
Q2 FY26 · mediumForex volatility and potential tariff changes (e.g., titanium dioxide anti-dumping duty) could impact gross margins.
Q2 FY26 · mediumIncreased manpower and brand spends in urban markets have not yet translated into sales growth, raising execution risk.
Q3 FY26 · mediumDespite early signs of improvement, demand recovery has been gradual and may not accelerate as anticipated.
Q3 FY26 · mediumMix shift toward lower-ASP products like economy emulsions and tile adhesives is expected to continue, capping value growth.
Q3 FY26 · mediumThe new challenger's high share of voice and aggressive pricing may pressure margins and market share.
Q4 FY26 · mediumAnalysts raised concerns that a ~12% price increase could lead to demand slowdown, especially in a high-inflation environment. Management acknowledged the risk but expects minimal impact due to low elasticity.
Q4 FY26 · mediumCompetitive pressure from Birla Opus and other players remains high, though management noted that the new entrant has reduced price discounts and painter incentives, stabilizing the market.
What changed through the year
Q1 FY26 · Volume growth to return to 7-9% post-monsoon
Management expects volume growth to recover to 7-9% range after monsoon abates, with potential for high single-digit growth in H2.
Q1 FY26 · PBDIT margin to remain in 15-17% band
Management reiterated margin guidance of 15-17% PBDIT, with current standalone margin at 17.4% within the band.
Q1 FY26 · Value growth to converge with volume growth by Q4 FY26
Expects value growth to reach high single digits (9-10%) by Q4 FY26 or early Q1 FY27 as mix improves and price cuts annualize.
Q1 FY26 · 10,000+ tinting machine installations in FY26
On track to install over 10,000 tinting machines during the fiscal year, with 2,500+ already installed in Q1.
Q2 FY26 · Q3 value growth mid-single digit, Q4 double-digit
Management expects mid-single-digit value growth in Q3 and double-digit in Q4, driven by pent-up demand and improved weather.
Q2 FY26 · EBITDA margin to return to 15-17% in H2
Management guided EBITDA margin to improve to 15-17% in Q3 and toward the higher end in Q4, aided by raw material benefits and operating leverage.
Q2 FY26 · Gross margin expansion of ~1.5% from raw material tailwinds
Management expects ~1.5% gross margin expansion in H2 due to benign raw material prices and improving product mix.
Q2 FY26 · Volume-value gap to narrow to ~4-4.5% by Q4 FY27
Management expects the volume-value gap to stabilize around 4-4.5% from Q4 FY27 onward as high-growth categories mature.
Q3 FY26 · Volume growth to reach double digits
Management expects volume growth to reach double digits, with value growth lagging by 4-5% due to mix shift.
Q3 FY26 · Operating margins to remain within 15%-17% range
PBDIT margin is expected to stay within the guided range of 15%-17%.
Q3 FY26 · Capex of INR 1,800-2,000 crore for two new factories
Plans for two factories in Panagarh and Odisha, with total investment of about INR 1,800-2,000 crore.
Q4 FY26 · EBITDA margin guidance of 15-17% maintained
Management reiterated that operating margins will remain within the guided range of 15-17% on a standalone basis, supported by cost optimization and operating leverage.
Q4 FY26 · Cumulative price hikes of ~11-12% to offset raw material inflation
Price increases taken across products are expected to neutralize the impact of raw material cost inflation, with gross margins likely to see only a slight dip of ~1.5% which will be offset by scale efficiencies.
Q4 FY26 · Volume growth expected to hold at similar levels as last year
Management expects volume growth to remain at similar levels as FY26, with value growth significantly higher due to price hikes, supported by favorable base and stable competitive intensity.
Q4 FY26 · Continued investments in branding and distribution expansion
Company plans to increase media spend on sports channels and expand retail footprint, with tinting machine installations and store additions continuing at a healthy pace.