United Breweries net profit falls 10% in Q1FY27 despite revenue growth
United Breweries reported a standalone net profit of ₹16,639 lakh for Q1FY27, down 9.96% YoY, despite a 10% rise in revenue to ₹5,91,745 lakh. Gross margins fell to 41.0% due to Middle East war impacts, though premium volumes surged 17%. Management revised the war cost impact estimate downward to ₹350-400 crore.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
United Breweries reported a standalone net profit of ₹16,639 lakh for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, marking a 9.96% decline from ₹18,371 lakh in the corresponding period of FY25. The profit contraction occurred despite a 10.01% year-on-year increase in revenue from operations to ₹5,91,745 lakh, driven by strong volume growth and a favourable geographic mix. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results on August 04, 2026, pursuant to Regulation 30 and Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
The company's gross profit margin stood at 41.0%, down 155 basis points year-on-year, primarily due to a 300 basis point impact from Middle East war headwinds. EBITDA for the quarter came in at ₹2,830 million versus ₹3,100 million in the year-ago period, with the EBITDA margin at 9.22% compared to 10.85% in Q1FY26. Free operating cash flow (FOCF) rose 38% to ₹548 crore, aided by disciplined working capital management and a deliberate 20% reduction in inventory levels.
Financial Performance Highlights
The following table summarises the key standalone financial metrics for the quarter:
| Metric | Q1FY27 (₹ in Lakhs) | Q1FY26 (₹ in Lakhs) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue from Operations | 5,91,745 | 5,37,888 | +10.01% |
| Total Income | 5,96,809 | 5,38,983 | +10.73% |
| Total Expenses | 5,74,348 | 5,14,237 | +11.69% |
| Profit Before Tax | 22,461 | 24,746 | -9.23% |
| Net Profit | 16,639 | 18,371 | -9.96% |
| EPS (Basic) | ₹6.29 | ₹6.95 | -9.49% |
Sell-out volumes increased by 13% in Q1FY27, while sell-in volumes grew by 9%. Premium volumes expanded by 17%, excluding two states where the company mitigated war-related impacts. Heineken Silver volumes surged 28%, and Kingfisher Ultra grew 11%. Premium margins turned accretive for the first time, reflecting successful localisation efforts over the past two years.
Outlook and Growth Targets
United Breweries aims for high single-digit volume growth in FY27, accompanied by a double-digit revenue increase and continued strength in premium segment trends. The company expects strong double-digit volume growth for Q2, Q3, and Q4, assuming no major policy issues arise. On the cost front, the financial impact from the Middle East conflict has been revised downward to ₹350 crore–₹400 crore, compared to the earlier estimate of ₹400 crore–₹500 crore, signalling some easing of external headwinds.
What the Numbers Show
The divergence between top-line growth and bottom-line contraction highlights the pressure on margins from external geopolitical factors. While revenue grew 10%, total expenses rose 11.69%, indicating that cost increases outpaced pricing power in this quarter. The year-on-year EBITDA margin compression from 10.85% to 9.22% underscores the persistent drag from higher input costs and war-related disruptions, even as the result marginally exceeded the analyst estimate of 9%. The 38% jump in free operating cash flow demonstrates effective liquidity management despite the profit dip.
Key Operational Updates
- Capacity Expansion: A new canning line was commissioned in Telangana. Capital investments in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are progressing as planned.
- Strategic Partnerships: United Breweries announced a partnership with ABB in Punjab and completed the closure of the Ludhiana brewery as part of its North Grid optimisation programme.
- Legal Matters: The appeal against the Competition Commission of India's penalty order remains sub judice before the Supreme Court. The company has deposited ₹18,762 lakh as fixed deposits with the NCLAT Registrar. No provision has been recorded as the final obligation is uncertain.
- Bihar Plant: The company applied under the BIADA Amnesty Policy 2025 to restart operations. It received in-principle approval on January 13, 2026, and submitted a detailed project report on March 31, 2026. The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment in Bihar is ₹5,694 lakh.
- Dividend: The Board proposed a dividend of ₹10 per equity share for the year ended March 31, 2026, amounting to ₹26,441 lakh, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting.
Historical Stock Returns for United Breweries
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +0.14% | -1.41% | -3.58% | -15.68% | -27.30% | -7.26% |
How might the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court appeal against the CCI penalty impact United Breweries' capital allocation strategy and investor confidence in FY27?
What specific operational efficiencies or pricing adjustments are planned to offset the remaining ₹350–₹400 crore impact from Middle East geopolitical headwinds in the coming quarters?
Will the commissioning of the new Telangana canning line and investments in Maharashtra and UP be sufficient to sustain the targeted high single-digit volume growth amidst rising input costs?


































