Pay Commission, monsoon to aid growth in H2FY17: Jagran

Jagran Prakashan reported steady first quarter earnings with revenue rising 9 percent to Rs 462 crore and profit after tax (PAT) coming at Rs 73.6 crore, up 27.5 percent. However, its digital business losses grew wider to Rs 3.9 crore as against Rs 1.9 crore in the quarter. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, RK Agarwal, CFO of the company said that while Q1 was good, he expects the growth momentum to come back in second half of FY17. Implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and good monsoon will aid growth in second half, he said. Agarwal also reiterated the company’s guidance of 15 percent operating profit and 11-12 percent overall growth in FY17. Transcript to follow..