Colgate 3Q net sales up 14%, net profit up 29%

FMCG player Colgate-Palmolive recorded a net profit growth of Rs 78 crore for the third quarter ending December 31, 2008 -- a 28 per cent rise over the Rs 61 crore for the corresponding quarter in the previous year. The stock price was consistent with 0.83 per cent upward movement at Rs 423.25 on the BSE.

The revenue of the group which has leadership position at 49.6 per cent market share (January 2008 - December 2008) in the toothpaste category with brands like Colgate Dental Cream touched Rs 419 crore as compared to Rs 367 crore for the same quarter a year ago.

The Toothbrush category market share saw an increase of 2.8 per cent taking Colgate’s share to 38 per cent during Jan08–Dec08. In the toothpowder category, the company’s market share has also increased by 2.9 per cent to 48.9 per cent during Jan08-Dec08.

On a sequential (compared to the trailing quarter) basis, the company's net profit grew 22 per cent from Rs 64 crore. Its revenue grew 1.6 per cent QoQ.

The growth of 14 per cent achieved over the same quarter of the previous year has been led by a steady 14 per cent volume growth in the toothpaste category.