Nicholas Piramal recovers to profit

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Nicholas Piramal India Ltd has posted a net profit after tax of Rs 37.59 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2006, against a net loss after tax of Rs 12.48 crore for the corresponding quarter last fiscal.

Its total income increased 48.12 per cent to Rs 343.15 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2006, as against Rs 231.67 crore in the year-ago period, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The Board recommended a 150 per cent dividend at Rs 3 per equity share of Rs 2 each for the financial year ended March 31, 2006.

This includes dividend for the full year on the equity shares issued on Rights Basis in August 2005.

For the year the company posted a 0.45 per cent increase in net profit after tax at Rs 170.35 crore for the year ended March 31, 2006, as compared to Rs 169.57 crore for the year ended March 31, 2005.

The company's total income for the year ended March 31, 2006, increased 13.58 per cent to Rs 1449.44 crore as against Rs 1276.07 crore for 2004-05.

The group posted a consolidated profit of Rs 15.17 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, (Q4 FY 05-06) against a consolidated loss of Rs 13.43 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

Its consolidated total income increased 73.18 per cent to Rs 432.26 crore for Q4 FY 2005-06 from Rs 249.59 crore for the same period in 2004-05.

The group posted a consolidated profit increase at Rs 120.65 crore for the year ended March 31, 2006, against Rs 164.05 crore for the year ended March 31, 2005.

The company's consolidated total income for 2005-06 grew to Rs 1621.72 crore from Rs 1341.65 crore in FY 04-05.

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