Colgate first-quarter net rises 23% to Rs 25.4 cr

FMCG major Colgate-Palmolive India on Friday announced a 23 per cent jump in its net profit at Rs 25.4 crore for the first quarter (April-June) of financial year 2004-05 compared with Rs 20.65 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Net sales during the quarter increased by seven per cent to Rs 242.7 crore. The company's operating profit margin has increased by 3.5 percentage points to 16.7 per cent of sales.

The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the first quarter grew by 35 per cent to Rs 40.6 crore.

During the quarter, Colgate-Palmolive India declared a first interim dividend of 15 per cent for the year ending March 31, 2005.

According to company release, this dividend "" which translates into Rs 1.50 per share "" will be payable by July 23.

Last year, the company had paid a total dividend of 60 per cent or Rs 6 per share including a one-time special 25th anniversary dividend of 12.5 per cent or Rs 1.25 per share.