MUMBAI, Oct. 29 -- Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) reported flat profit in the September quarter, even as rising input costs threaten to squeeze its margins in the coming quarters. The country's largest consumer goods maker reported consolidated net profit of Rs.2,796 crore, unchanged from a year earlier. This was due to a one-off tax-related gains of Rs.273 crore in exceptional items in the base period. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) margin fell 140 basis points to 22.6%. The personal care segment, which includes brands such as Dove and Closeup and is the third-largest category by revenue, reported a year-on-year decline in Ebitda to Rs.449 crore from Rs.492 crore. Rising crude oil and commodity prices...