Varun Beverages Reports 20% Net Profit Growth Despite Flat Volume Growth in India
Varun Beverages Limited (VBL), a major PepsiCo bottler, reported Q3 results with a 2% revenue increase to ₹4,896.70 crore and a 20% rise in net profit to ₹742.00 crore. Sales volume grew 2.4% to 273.8 million cases, driven by 9% growth in international markets, particularly South Africa, while India volumes remained flat. EBITDA was flat at ₹1,150.00 crore with margins narrowing to 23.4%. VBL is expanding into alcoholic beverages in South Africa and establishing a subsidiary in Kenya. The company's shares traded 3.27% higher following the announcement.

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Varun Beverages Limited (VBL), a major PepsiCo bottling partner, has released its quarterly financial results, showcasing a mix of growth and challenges across different metrics.
Revenue and Volume Analysis
VBL reported a 2% year-over-year increase in revenue for the quarter, reaching ₹4,896.70 crore. The consolidated sales volume grew by 2.4% to 273.8 million cases. However, the growth was not uniform across all markets:
- India volumes remained flat
- International volumes grew by 9%, primarily driven by strong performance in South Africa
Profitability Metrics
Despite modest revenue growth, VBL significantly boosted its bottom line:
- Net profit rose by 20% to ₹742.00 crore, up from ₹619.00 crore in the same quarter last year
- This increase was attributed to lower finance costs and higher other income, including interest on deposits and favorable currency movements
- Gross margins improved by 119 basis points to 56.7%, due to increased water mix in international markets
EBITDA Performance
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) remained flat at ₹1,150.00 crore. However, EBITDA margins narrowed by 60 basis points to 23.4%.
Strategic Initiatives
VBL is pursuing several strategic initiatives to drive growth and diversification:
- Expansion into alcoholic beverages through a partnership with Carlsberg for distribution in South Africa
- Incorporation of a subsidiary in Kenya for beverage manufacturing and distribution
Market Response
Following the earnings announcement, VBL's shares traded 3.27% higher at ₹469.00, indicating a positive market reception to the results.
Outlook
While VBL has shown resilience in growing its revenue and net profit, the flat volume growth in India and slight margin compression may warrant attention. The company's strategic initiatives to diversify its product portfolio and expand geographically could potentially drive future growth and profitability.
Investors and analysts will likely keep a close eye on how these new ventures and expansions impact VBL's financial performance in the coming quarters, especially given the seasonal nature of the beverage industry.
Historical Stock Returns for Varun Beverages
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +9.06% | +6.39% | +9.65% | -6.40% | -18.71% | +752.06% |
















































