• Input costs and pricing: Berger is currently exhausting high-cost inventory, with lower crude-linked raw material prices expected to benefit margins after a three- to four-month lag. The company expects to remain profit-neutral for two months before turning profit-accretive, and may consider a 2% to 3% price cut after Diwali if lower input costs persist.
• Revenue growth outlook: Delayed monsoon rains supported strong exterior paint demand in Q1, supporting industry-wide double-digit growth. Berger expects to outpace the industry and maintain double-digit full-year revenue growth even if minor price reductions occur in the second half.
• EBITDA margin guidance: Full-year operating margins are projected to remain within the 15% to 17% band, ending marginally ahead of last year's 15.5% level.
• Bengal market outlook: Accelerated infrastructure projects and upcoming industrial incentive policies following the state's political change are expected to noticeably boost regional economic and paint demand over the next three to four months.