Smaller companies bearing brunt of economic slowdown: RBI data

On the other hand, larger corporates have performed better during the April-September 2012-13 which witnessed moderation in economic growth to 5.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent in the year ago period.

"Smaller companies (sales up to Rs 100 crore) incurred losses in H1 of 2012-13, though larger companies recorded a higher rise in net profits," RBI said in its analysis based on the performance of 2,832 listed non-government non-financial companies.

The aggregate net profit margin of the corporate sector, the analysis said, was impacted by "poor performance of smaller companies".

On an average, the companies have a recorded a rise in net profit of 4.3 per cent during the first half of the current fiscal, which for 2,832 companies is estimated at Rs 91,800 crore.

The slowdown has been mainly on account of deeper moderation in sales figures of the manufacturing and non-IT services sectors.

The companies in the Information Technology (IT), however, performed better than peers in other segments.

The net profit margin of the IT sector, RBI said, was above 17 per cent in first half as compared to 5.7 per cent for manufacturing and 4.9 per cent for non-IT services sector.

Companies in sectors such as mining and quaring, electric machinery, petroleum refinery, power generation and supply and real estate, have suffered losses during the period.

On the other hand, the sectors which performed better include food and beverages; textiles; paper products; cement; whole sale and retail trade; radio, television and communications equipment. MORE