Hindustan Unilever Limited reported unaudited standalone earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2017. For the quarter, the company reported total income of INR 87,420 million compared to INR 84,000 million a year ago. Profit before exceptional items and tax was INR 17,060 million compared to INR 13,330 million a year ago. Profit before tax was INR 16,850 million compared to INR 14,860 million a year ago. Profit for the period was INR 13,260 million compared to INR 10,380 million a year ago. Earnings of INR 6.13 per basic and diluted share compared to INR 4.79 per diluted share a year ago. For the quarter, the company reported EBITDA at INR 16,800 million is up 24%, and comparable margins are up 110 basis points. The strong sales programs have been sustained, with support reduction of its costs. PAT was INR 11,980 million is up 30%. Net profit was INR 13,260 million up 28% against INR 10,380 million for the same period last year. However, the net income rose marginally by 4% at INR 87,420 million during the quarter compared with INR 84,000 million in the corresponding quarter last year which the company has attributed to the inclusion of excise duty and other net input taxes along with the GST refunds of INR 1,190 million during the quarter.

For the nine months, the company reported total income of INR 266,900 million compared to INR 260,440 million a year ago. Profit before exceptional items and tax was INR 53,310 million compared to INR 45,350 million a year ago. Profit before tax was INR 53,330 million compared to INR 47,770 million a year ago. Profit for the period was INR 38,860 million compared to INR 33,070 million a year ago. Earnings of INR 17.95 per basic and diluted share compared to INR 15.28 per basic and diluted share a year ago.

The company revised effective tax rate guidance for the fiscal year 2018. The company given a effective tax rate guidance in the beginning part of the year that this would be at 30.5%. It's looking more like a 30%.