Earnings Beat: ITC’s Q2 Profit Inches Up 2.7% Despite Revenue Contraction

Diversified conglomerate ITC Ltd announced a consolidated profit of ₹5,126.11 crore for Q2 FY26, marking a modest 2.7% increase over last year. The uptick stemmed largely from resilient cigarette volumes and disciplined cost management, offsetting weaker paper and hospitality divisions. Consolidated revenue declined slightly to ₹21,255.86 crore. Management highlighted a focus on innovation in FMCG and efficiency across manufacturing. Market experts noted ITC’s steady financials reinforce its defensive appeal even as investors track peers like Reliance Industries for cues on sector-wide earnings sentiment.