Nirmal Bang, one of the leading equity research-cum-broking house, has recommended a buy on Hindustan Unilever Ltd with a target of Rs 275 in today's session.

The report further stated that, if the counter is successful to breach 265, then it will hit a target of Rs 281.

In addition, the firm has suggested a support level for the scrip at Rs 254.

The shares of the company on Tuesday (Sep 01) ended at Rs 261.70 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Current EPS & P/E ratio stood at 9.63 & 27.38 respectively. The share price has seen a 52-week high of Rs 306 and a low of Rs 185 on BSE.

Hindustan Unilever (HUL), one of the largest FMCG companies, posted a marginal fall in its standalone net profit for the three month period ended June 30, 2009.

The company's results failed to meet analysts' expectations. The analysts had estimated the profit to be at Rs 5,545 million.

During the period under review, the company's net profit declined 2.68% to Rs 5,431.90 million as against Rs 5,581.80 million in the same period of the last year.

Net sales during the period surged 7.77% to Rs 44,756.80 million as compared to Rs 43,786.20 million, whereas the company's total income for the quarter increased 6.27% to Rs 45,026.30 million.

During the quarter, the company's operating margin climbed 243.17 basis points to 15.94% as against the last period.

Interest cost fell 2.07 times to Rs 51.70 million whereas depreciation cost zoomed 12.05% to Rs 424.90 million over previous year period.

Moreover, HUL during July 2009 said that it is considering a change of its media planning and buying agency that is presentlt managed by Mindshare, a WPP group company in India.

The move is a part of the worldwide review being attempted by its Anglo Dutch parent company, Unilever.