Raw material cost inflation was the single biggest factor that hurt the margins. The raw material cost surged 29% year-on-year led by the rise in prices of leaf tobacco and wood. The raw material cost as a proportion of sales rose from 40.2% in the same quarter last year to 44.6% this year.
Will RBI rate hikes intensify selloff in bank stocks? Analysts explain why fears may be overdone
Bank shares have endured steep declines as investors brace for imminent interest rate hikes from the RBI. Some analysts suggest that the recent selloff may