Dabur India Limited faces mixed analyst sentiment as Morgan Stanley maintains its Underweight rating with a target price of ₹412, despite the company's steady Q4 FY26 performance. The brokerage firm cites mid-single digit revenue growth and geopolitical headwinds affecting international operations as key concerns, even as domestic demand shows sequential improvement.

Morgan Stanley's Assessment

Morgan Stanley's analysis highlights several key factors influencing their cautious stance on Dabur India:

The brokerage acknowledges the sequential improvement in domestic demand to high-single digits but remains concerned about the Middle-East disruption from geopolitical tensions and maintains a cautious near-term outlook despite gradual domestic recovery.

Q4 FY26 Performance Highlights

Dabur India's Q4 FY26 update shows consolidated revenues growing in mid-single digits with operating profit growing ahead of the topline. The India FMCG business demonstrated resilience with sequential recovery in demand, likely to record high-single digit growth during the quarter.

Home & Personal Care Drives Growth

The Home & Personal care business sustained its double-digit growth trajectory and is expected to grow in mid-teens. This growth is anticipated to be led by Hair Oils, Shampoo and Home Care categories, which are likely to record growth in twenties. Key brands expected to report healthy volume-led growth include Dabur Amla franchise, Vatika Shampoo, Dabur Almond, Odonil, Odomos, Meswak, and Gulabari.

International Challenges Impact Outlook

The international business faced significant headwinds, particularly in the Middle East due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict impact. While other key markets including Turkey, Bangladesh and UK performed well with double-digit growth in constant currency terms, the company expects its international business to record low-single digit growth in INR terms.

Despite the gradual domestic recovery and sequential improvement in demand, Morgan Stanley's cautious stance reflects concerns about geopolitical disruptions and their impact on the company's international operations, particularly in the strategically important Middle East markets.

Dabur India has published an official Hindi notice in Jansatta newspaper regarding the upcoming meetings for equity shareholders and unsecured creditors scheduled for May 2, 2026, to seek approval for the proposed Scheme of Amalgamation with Sesa Care Private Limited. The company issued this notice under reference SEC/SE/2026-27 dated April 01, 2026, in continuation to their earlier communication dated March 31, 2026.

NCLT Order Facilitates Merger Process

The meetings have been scheduled pursuant to an order dated March 12, 2026, passed by the Hon'ble NCLT, New Delhi Bench in Company Application No. (CAA) – 1(ND)/2026. This represents a crucial regulatory milestone in the merger proceedings, indicating that the proposed corporate restructuring has progressed through the necessary legal and regulatory channels required for such transactions under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Meeting Schedule and Regulatory Framework

Dabur India issued the official notice to stock exchanges BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations. The communication outlines the comprehensive regulatory framework governing the proposed Scheme of Amalgamation between Sesa Care Private Limited (Transferor Company) and Dabur India Limited (Transferee Company).

Hindi Publication and Document Accessibility

The company has published the notice in Hindi language in the Jansatta newspaper (Hindi edition) on April 01, 2026, ensuring wider accessibility for stakeholders. The copy of the newspaper publication is being made available on the company's official website at www.dabur.com to ensure maximum accessibility. The meetings are being conducted in accordance with applicable general circulars issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs regarding conducting meetings through VC/OAVM with e-voting facility.

Digital Infrastructure and Compliance Framework

To facilitate comprehensive participation, Dabur India has implemented digital mechanisms for the upcoming meetings in compliance with Section 108 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. The company has appointed National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) to provide remote e-voting facilities, enabling equity shareholders and unsecured creditors to cast their votes electronically on the merger proposal. The notice was signed by Ashok Kumar Jain, Group Company Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer.

Tribunal Appointments and Next Steps

The NCLT has appointed Dr. Shashank Saksena as the Chairperson for both meetings, including any adjournments thereof, and Mr. Pratish Sinha (Advocate) as the Scrutinizer. The proposed Scheme, if approved at the meetings, will be subject to subsequent approval of the Tribunal and such approvals, permissions and sanctions of regulatory or other authorities as may be necessary for the completion of the amalgamation process.