Post by : Meena Ariff

Shares of major Indian tobacco companies sharply declined on Thursday following the government’s announcement of a new tax increase on cigarettes. This new tax hike will make cigarettes more expensive for an estimated 100 million smokers across India, the world's most populous nation.

ITC Limited, the dominant player in the tobacco market and manufacturer of the popular Gold Flake brand, saw its stock price fall by 9.2%. Shares of ITC closed at 365.50 rupees, marking the lowest level since April 2023. The steep fall also represented the company’s worst trading day in nearly six years, underscoring investors’ concerns about the potential negative impact of higher taxes on cigarette sales and revenues.

Godfrey Phillips India, the authorized distributor of Marlboro cigarettes in the country, experienced an even sharper decline. Its shares plunged 14.1%, the largest drop since November 2016. The heavy sell-off reflects fears that the tax hike will reduce demand for premium cigarette brands, which are already sensitive to price increases.

The government’s tax increase aims to discourage tobacco consumption by raising the cost of cigarettes, aligning with public health goals to reduce smoking rates. With over 100 million smokers in India, this policy change is expected to significantly affect the tobacco industry’s sales volumes and profitability.

Market participants reacted quickly to the tax announcement, leading to a broad sell-off in tobacco stocks. Analysts note that the higher taxes will likely lead to reduced affordability of cigarettes, prompting smokers to cut back or switch to cheaper alternatives, thereby impacting company earnings.

This tax move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to combat tobacco use and its related health risks, while also increasing revenue from tobacco excise duties. The immediate effect on tobacco companies' stock prices highlights the market’s sensitivity to regulatory changes in this sector.

Investors and industry watchers will continue to monitor the impact of this tax increase on consumer behavior and company financials in the coming months.

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