Colgate Palmolive Q4 net up 15% on volumes, price hike
Colgate Palmolive India's fourth quarter net profit rose 15% year-on-year to Rs 131 crore, helped strong volume growth led by toothpastes and price hikes taken to offset price hikes.
Moneycontrol Bureau
Colgate Palmolive India's fourth quarter net profit rose 15% year-on-year to Rs 131 crore, helped by strong volume growth led by toothpastes and price hikes taken to offset input cost pressures.The company's net sales in Jan-March were up 18% to Rs 686 crore. "In an inflationary environment, the company's continuing efforts and focussed programmes to enhance efficiencies and reduce costs continue to yield strong, positive results, helping to maintain margin and fund investments in building and strengthening brand equity and the business. Prudent price increases and cost management has enabled the company to maintain its gross margin at 60% for the quarter," it said on Wednesday.For the full year, Colgate Palmolive's net profit was up 11% to Rs 446 crore, while net sales were up 18% to Rs 2,624 crore. Overall volumes grew 12% in 2011-12, with toothpastes growing at 14%. Its volume market share in toothpastes rose to 54% from 52.2% in Jan-April 2012, Colgate said. Volume market share in mouthwash category also rose to 26.2% from 25.7%, it said.Colgate Palmolive shares were down 1.8% at Rs 1,197.90 on NSE in afternoon trade. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
