Asian Paints shares fell 5.10 per cent to hit a low of Rs 2,235. The stock has corrected 23 per cent in the past three months, and is now trading at 41 times FY27 EPS, as per analyst estimates.

Earnings downgrades, sluggish urban demand, and intensifying competition are weighing on Asian Paints. As Birla Opus scales up and consumer downtrading continues, can the market leader defend its dominance without sacrificing margins?

Asian Paints on Tuesday reported a 23.3 per cent drop in consolidated net profit to ₹1,110.48 crore for the third quarter (Q3) of the financial year 2024-25 (FY25), from ₹1,447.72 crore reported during the same period last year. Sequentially, however, profit rose nearly 60 per cent from ₹694.64 crore.

Rise in competitive intensity for market share, talent, and shelf-space, and mind share will keep Asian Paints' margins under pressure. To add to that, weakness in urban demand and a rise in competition in terms of mergers and acquisitions may also hurt earnings, ultimately leading to rating downgrade, Citi said.

Asian Paints shares fell 5% after weak Q3 earnings, with net profit down 23% YoY. Brokerages slashed target prices, citing competition, pricing pressures, and demand slowdown. Some expect further declines,

Asian Paints reported a 6% decline in its revenue for the quarter compared to the year-ago period. The revenue of ₹8,549 crore was lower than the CNBC-TV18 poll of ₹8,830 crore.