India's Kansai Nerolac Paints posts quarterly profit rise on auto demand, price hikes

Kansai Nerolac Paints

06/05/2026 12:43

May 6 (Reuters) - India's Kansai Nerolac Paints KANE.NS reported a 3.5% rise in fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, driven by strong automotive demand and supported by price hikes.

Here are some details:

The paintmaker is owned by Japan's Kansai Paint Co 4613.T

Consolidated net profit rose to 1.12 billion rupees ($11.84 million) for the quarter ended March, from 1.08 billion rupees a year earlier

Revenue from operations rose 7.5% to 19.54 billion rupees

Analysts had expected earnings to be supported by price hikes, and strong auto sales with margin pressures from higher raw material costs partly cushioned by existing inventory

Kansai Nerolac implemented a 2% to 3% price hike from March 25 to offset rising input costs

Total expenses rose nearly 6% to 1.81 billion rupees, driven by higher cost of materials consumed

"While demand momentum continues, how cost drivers pan out will need to be watched in light of the current geopolitical situation," Managing Director Pravin Chaudhari said

Rival Akzo Nobel India AKZO.NS and larger peer Asian Paints ASPN.NS have yet to report their earnings

($1 = 94.6100 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

 ((Devika.MadhusudhananNair@thomsonreuters.com;))