The BSE FMCG index has accounted for 25% outperforming benchmark Sensex, and gained over 20%. Since 24 March, shares of Emami-Ltd and other major healthcare products have accounted for over 50%.
Moreover, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd which is involved in producing toiletries, detergents, and soaps, have upscaled to 33% with a massive portfolio of products ranging from pulses, coffee, salt, tea, spices, and others, whereas, Tata Consumer Products Ltd., share price reached 36%.
The share price of Tata Consumer Products Ltd., projects the portfolio of products ranging from pulses, spices, tea, coffee and has settled to 23% and expected to go beyond it.
Due to this rally in FMCG stocks may attribute a panic purchasing as consumers are stocking up food and beverages, and other essentials in advance due to the lockdown.
Abneesh Roy, Senior Vice President of Edelweiss Securities states that the FMCG market has always played a major role and overcomes the challenges in the hard times.
He further added that due to the COVID-19 and official decision of lockdown by the government, people are staying at home and are worried about how long this lockdown would be running. Moreover, they are more concerned about the essentials, medical, and other products which are required in the routine. Understanding the situation of citizens, the demand for foods and beverages, and other essentials have increased the demand for the FMCG market.
FMCG companies have been the biggest advertisers in the overall market, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the advertising rates have also decreased to nothing.
There are most of the FMCG players who are running at low capacity with 20-30% due to the minimum count of workers. ITC has put cigarette manufacturing on hold while it continues to get back the essentials normally.
