Ranbaxy net swings 95pc

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd today posted a 95 per cent jump in its net profit at Rs 515.4 crore for the year ended December 31, 2006 from Rs 264.2 crore in the previous year.

The pharma major registered a 17 per cent increase in its sales at Rs 6,065.2 crore during the year as compared to Rs 5,188 crore an year ago.

The sales growth was driven by North America and the BRICS markets which together accounted for 65 per cent of the total sales as against 61 per cent in the corresponding period.

These markets had combined sales of 869 million dollars, recording an increase of 25 per cent. The international business recorded sales of 1,060 million dollars, up 18 per cent and contributed 79 per cent to the total sales, the company said.

The company's Board of Directors approved payment of second interim dividend of 120 per cent amountng six rupees per share at par value of five rupees each for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Earlier in November 2006, it paid an interim dividend of 50 per cent of Rs 2.50 per share. This takes the total dividend for the year to 170 per cent or Rs 8.50 per share. In view of this, no final dividend has been recommended by the Board.

UNI