GlaxoSmithkline Q4 net up 18%, decleres 50% dividend

GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) today posted an 18.43 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 32.58 crore for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008. The company had reported a net profit of Rs 27.51 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

The total income grew 17 per cent to Rs 343.56 crore during the quarter under review, from Rs 294.29 crore in the same period last fiscal.

The board of the company has declared a dividend of Rs 5, at the rate of 50 per cent, on shares of face value of Rs 10, for the financial year ended December 2008.

For the financial year ended December 2008, the company reported 16 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 188.33 crore, against Rs 162.68 crore in FY07. The total income during the financial year ended December 2008, rose 20.64 per cent to Rs 1,592.30 crore, from Rs 1,319.93 crore in the year-ago period.

“Despite market sentiments, GSKCH continued its strong performance in 2008 by achieving high double digit sales growth for yet another year. This has been achieved through focus on existing brands and cost control measures,” said Zubair Ahmed, managing director, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

Shares of GlaxoSmithkline closed at Rs 575, up 2.58 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange.