Godrej Consumer net rises 44%

Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) reported a 44% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 318.1 crore for the September quarter, against Rs 221.4 crore  in the year-ago period. Net sales increased 11% to Rs 2,358 crore. Its India business for the quarter grew 7% to Rs 1,319 crore; the international business grew 15% to Rs 1,144 crore from a year before.

The net profit growth was led in part by a lower exceptional loss in the quarter, narrowing to Rs 0.5 crore from the earlier period's Rs 77.5 crore. Total expenses rose 11% to Rs 2,009 crore; that on advertising and a publicity shot up 21%.

Raw material expenditure, however, grew only 8%.

Chairman Adi Godrej said the company had delivered a  strong operating performance in the quarter despite a strong base in the previous year. The stock price was down 0.2% on the BSE exchange, closing the day’s trade at Rs 1,528.