New Delhi, Oct. 29 -- Shares of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) were on track to post their worst annual performance in over two decades, as investors largely stayed away from consumer goods stocks this year amid a challenging sector outlook marked by rising input costs, slowing growth expectations and concerns over consumer demand.

So far in 2026, the stock has lost nearly 20%, falling to Rs.1,858 apiece and dragging the company's market capitalisation below Rs.4.5 lakh crore. The stock last witnessed a comparable annual decline in 2004, when it crashed 30%. Since then, it has recorded a double-digit annual loss only once, in 2024.

Reflecting the sustained selling pressure, HUL shares have closed in the red in each of the past five months, wi...