Colgate Palmolive Q3 PAT likely to jump 40.5%

FMCG major Colgate Palmolive (India) is expected to report a profit after tax of Rs 93 crore in the third quarter of FY12, a massive growth of 40.5% as compared to Rs 66.2 crore in a year ago quarter.

Sales are seen going up by 13.6% to Rs 655 crore from Rs 576.6 crore during the same period.

Operating profit margin is likely to go up by 235 basis points at 18.5% in the quarter ended December FY12 versus 16.15% in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal.

Highlights

* Q2 saw volume growth of 15%; Q3 may see a slight moderation but still a robust 12%

* Margin improvement on lower promotion spends + 4-5% price hikes in Q3

* Q3 last year saw peak promotion spends at over 21%/sales; should decline to 13-14%

* Low base for reported PAT, margin expansion should aid the 40% bottomline growth