Dabur Q3 net up 16% at Rs 282.78 crore

FMCG firm Dabur today posted 16.42% increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 282.78 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, even as subdued demand continued to impact the sector.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 242.88 crore in the same period of 2013-14 fiscal.

Its consolidated net sales in third quarter of current fiscal grew by 9.16% at Rs 2,073.57 crore, as against Rs 1,899.5 crore in the year-ago period, Dabur India said in a BSE filing.

"Despite a sharp fall in growth rates in most consumer products segments, Dabur continued to focus on brand-building and market expansion programmes and reported strong growth in its core categories, which have been significantly ahead of the market," Dabur India Ltd Chief Executive Officer Sunil Duggal said.

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

During the quarter, revenue from Dabur's consumer care business grew by 7.97% to Rs 1,790.8 crore while revenue from food business grew by 13.41% to Rs 219.83 crore.

Its smaller vertical retail business and other segments grew by 33.45% to Rs 25.65 crore and 33.60% to Rs 37.29 crore respectively.

The company said its international business growth during the quarter was led by Egypt at 29%, Levant (comprising Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria markets) at 17% and GCC at 14%.

Dabur shares were trading at Rs 256.25 apiece in afternoon trade, down 0.79% from previous close on BSE.