Nestle among Nuvama's top 5 consumer picks after Q4 earnings season. Do you own any?

Nuvama in its latest report highlighted that consumer companies saw demand improve in Q4 due to resilient rural consumption, an improving urban recovery and GST-led affordability. However, a delayed summer and unseasonal rains hurt seasonal lines (beer, talc, ice cream, cooling oil) and Middle-East tensions weighed on international businesses. The international brokerage listed five stocks as its top ‘Buy’ picks in the sector, along with three stocks which look good in terms of business recovery and valuation comfort.

Nestle shares have fallen around 2% in one week and 6% in one month, but gained over 7% in 2026 so far. The FMCG major reported a 27% year-on-year (YoY) rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,111 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared with Rs 873 crore a year ago. Revenue from operations grew 23% to Rs 6,748 crore, up from Rs 5,504 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Asian Paints in May reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,172 crore for the January-March quarter of FY26, registering a sharp 69% YoY jump from Rs 692 crore reported in the corresponding quarter last year. The paint-maker’s revenue from operations, meanwhile, rose 11% YoY to Rs 9,228.46 crore during Q4 FY26, as compared to Rs 8,349.59 crore in the year-ago period. The shares of the company recorded marginal gains in one week, but jumped 10% in one month.

Fevicol adhesives and Dr Fixit waterproofing products-maker Pidilite Industries in May reported a 36.6% YoY jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 584.2 crore for the January-March quarter of FY26. It reported revenue from operations at Rs 3,572 crore in Q4 FY26, marking a jump of 14.1% from Rs 3,130 crore reported a year ago. The shares of the company gained more than 8% in one month.

Berger Paints in May reported a more than 27% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of FY26 at Rs 335.3 crore, supported by strong volume growth and improved gross margins. India’s second-largest paint maker posted a 6.1% increase in consolidated revenue from operations to Rs 2,868 crore during the March quarter, while EBITDA rose 12.6% year-on-year to Rs 481.7 crore. Berger Paints shares declined around 2% in one week but gained around 5% in one month.

Marico shares have fallen more than 1.4% in one week but recorded marginal gains over one month. The stock has gained more than 6.5% in 2026 so far and 15% in one year. In the longer term, the shares of the company delivered over 48% returns over three years and 66% over five years.

Nuvama in its report named Colgate Palmolive, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Britannia Industries as well, saying they “look good”.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)