The reported increases are seen as sufficient to offset the recent excise duty impact, while also adding to EBIT per stick, with stronger-than-expected hikes observed across nearly half of ITC’s portfolio.

ITC gained 2.03% on the bourses, although the stock remains down 20.35% over the past three months.

Godfrey Phillips India advanced 2.85%, even as it has declined 29.38% over the past three months.

Cigarette prices rose sharply from February 1 following the imposition of additional excise duty. From February 2026, cigarettes and tobacco products are subject to additional excise duty and cess over and above the highest 40% GST slab, replacing the earlier structure of 28% GST plus compensation cess. The Central Excise Act has also been amended to levy a per-stick excise duty on cigarettes, with rates linked to cigarette length, altering the cost structure for manufacturers.