Dabur Q4 net up 17% at Rs 235 crore

Consumer care biz grows over 15% while food business logs 20% growth

Dabur Ltd today reported 17.32% increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 235.29 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31 on account of strong performance in the FMCG segment.

The company had reported net profit of Rs 200.55 crore in the January-March quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal.

Dabur's net sales in Q4, 2013-14 moved up by 15.53% to Rs 1,769.02 crore, compared to Rs 1,531.09 crore in the year-ago period.

Dabur's consumer care business grew by 15.22% at Rs 1,486.05 crore, while foods business grew by 19.92% to Rs 231.08 crore.

"Strong demand from the hinterland following the mega initiative to double our rural distribution footprint helped Dabur India Ltd sail through a challenging business environment and moderation in consumption expenditure," the company said in a statement.

Retail business was up 20.46% at Rs 19.07 crore while other businesses declined marginally by 0.24% to Rs 32.82 crore.

Dabur India CEO Sunil Duggal said: "The business has performed well on all operating parameters. Dabur has been reporting strong and consistent performance despite intensifying competitive pressures and the challenging market environment being witnessed for some quarters now.

"Going forward too, our focus will be on pursuing an aggressive and profitable growth strategy."

On overall expenses, Dabur reported 15.70% jump at Rs 1,505.31 crore in Q4, as against Rs 1,300.94 crore in Q4 of 2012-13.

International business ended the fourth quarter with 20% growth, led by GCC, Egypt and Levant (comprising Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon & Syria) markets.

For the entire 2013-14, Dabur's net profit stood at Rs 913.92 crore, as against Rs 763.42 crore in the previous financial year.

Dabur scrip was trading at Rs 177.70 on the BSE in the afternoon trade, down 1.36% from the previous close.