Vedanta Q3 PBT at Rs 3,806 cr, up 9.4% on lower costs, exceptional gain

Sales down 10% to Rs 21,126 cr mainly due to lower commodity prices, muted volumes in zinc, oil & gas and copper

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd reported a consolidated profit before tax of Rs 3,806 crore in the December quarter, up 9.4 per cent from same period last year on the back of lowered costs and a small exceptional gain of Rs 168 crore.

Net sales of the company declined 10 per cent on a year-on-year basis to Rs 21,126 crore in the period under review primarily due to lower commodity prices and muted volumes in zinc, oil & gas and copper business, partially offset by exploration cost recovery in oil & gas.

Lower cost of production mainly in aluminium lent firm support to