Hatsun Agro Product Limited has received a credit rating upgrade from CRISIL Ratings Limited, enhancing its financial standing in the market. The dairy products company announced this development through a regulatory filing to stock exchanges on January 14, 2026.

Rating Enhancement Details

CRISIL Ratings Limited upgraded the company's credit rating on its bank loan facilities, reflecting improved creditworthiness. The rating enhancement covers substantial financial exposure for the company.

Regulatory Compliance

The company disclosed this information under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The communication from CRISIL Ratings Limited was received on January 14, 2026, and promptly shared with both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

Credit Rating Significance

The upgrade from AA-/Positive to AA/Stable indicates CRISIL's enhanced confidence in Hatsun Agro Product's financial stability and repayment capacity. The 'AA' rating denotes high safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations, while the 'Stable' outlook suggests the rating is unlikely to change in the near term.

Company Background

Hatsun Agro Product Limited operates in the dairy and food products sector with multiple brand portfolios including Arun Ice Creams, Hatsun dairy products, and various other food brands. The company maintains its registered office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and has established a significant presence in the South Indian dairy market.

The rating upgrade on bank loan facilities worth ₹2,120.00 crores demonstrates the company's strengthened financial position and improved credit profile as assessed by CRISIL Ratings Limited.

Hatsun Agro Product has taken disciplinary action against its Chief Financial Officer following an inadvertent disclosure of sensitive financial information through social media. The incident has prompted immediate compliance measures and the formation of an investigation committee to address potential regulatory violations.

Incident Details and Timeline

On January 5, CFO H Ramachandran inadvertently disclosed draft third quarter financial results on his personal WhatsApp status. The sensitive information was visible to approximately 19 people in his contact list, including company insiders, before he deleted the status within an hour of posting.

Company Response and Compliance Measures

Hatsun Agro Product issued a caution letter to the CFO, emphasizing the need for greater care in handling unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI). The company stated it has directed strict adherence to regulatory requirements to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The Company Secretary and Compliance Officer compiled a comprehensive list of all persons who viewed the WhatsApp status, including their PAN details. This information was updated in the company's Structured Digital Database (SDD) as part of the designated persons list.

Immediate Protective Actions

To comply with SEBI regulations under the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015, the company took several immediate steps:

• Trading window was immediately closed for all persons exposed to UPSI
• PAN details of affected individuals were frozen at the NSDL Issuer Services Portal
• All actions were documented for compliance and monitoring purposes

Investigation Committee Formation

An Insider Trading Investigation Committee (ITIC) was constituted on January 6 to thoroughly investigate the matter. The committee comprises:

• Vice Chairman: C Sathyan
• Managing Director: J Shanmuga Priyan
• Company Secretary and Compliance Officer: C Subramaniam

The committee has documented all actions taken, including the detailed timeline of events and the complete list of identified persons who were exposed to the sensitive information.

Market Impact and Upcoming Results

Shares of Hatsun Agro Product settled 1.70% lower at ₹930.55 on the BSE ahead of the disclosure, compared to a 0.30% decline in the benchmark Sensex. The company's board is scheduled to consider and approve the December quarter results on January 19.

The incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining strict confidentiality protocols for financial information, particularly in the digital age where social media platforms can inadvertently become channels for sensitive data disclosure.