Hindalco Q4 net up 40 pc, dividend at Rs 2.20 per share

Mumbai, Apr 29 (UNI) Hindalco Ltd, a Aditya Birla Group company, has posted a net profit of Rs 626 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 as compared to Rs 448 crore for the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal, showing an increase of 39.73 per cent.

Briefing newsmen here today, Hindalco's Managing Director Debu Bhattacharya said the company's total income for the quarter stood at Rs 3657 crore as compared to Rs 2516 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. He ascribed the improved performance to increased copper production, realisation of alumina from aluminium and 100 per cent capacity utilisation of the plant capacities.

Mr Bhattacharya pointed out that the copper production went up 18 per cent at 1.07 lakh tonnes, while alumina realisation from aluminum went up by about 25 per cent, but at the same time expressed concern that the high cost of energy is expected drag through the fiscal 2007 business.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2006, the company has posted a net profit of Rs 1,655.5 crore as compared to Rs 1,329.4 crore in the previous fiscal, showing an increase of 25 per cent.

Its total income for the year under review stood at Rs 11,396.5 crore as compared to Rs 9,523.1 crore in fiscal 2004-05.

Hindalco board has recommended a dividend of Rs 2.20 per share as against last year's Rs 2 per share. Accordingly, the total outgo including tax on dividend would be Rs 247.25 crore as against Rs 211.59 crore in the last year.

UNI SN PP SKB1622