Biocon net down 12 pc, but declares 50 pc dividend

Mumbai, Apr 20 (UNI) India's premier biotechnology company -Biocon today reported a 12 per cent decline in net profit to Rs 174 crore for the year ended March 31, 2006 from Rs 198 crore in the previous financial year.

However, the company announced a 50 per cent dividend at Rs 2.50 per share of Rs 5.

Biocon's total income increased by 9 per cent to Rs 793 crore in FY-06 from Rs 728 in FY-05, the company informed the NSE.

It reported per share earning at Rs 17.40 for 2005-06.

On the results, Bicon CMD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said, ''I am pleased that we have sustained a healthy 30 per cent operating margin for the financial year 2005-06 despite a fiercely competitive environment.'' UNI SA GK AW1702