Jan. 24: Associated Cement Companies Limited (ACC) has posted a net profit of Rs 192.48 crore for the quarter ended December 31, a growth of 263 per cent over Rs 53.08 crore achieved during the corresponding quarter last fiscal.

The total revenue of the company was Rs 1,106.61 crore for the quarter, an increase of 12 per cent from Rs 987.18 crore achieved during the similar period last fiscal.

For the first nine months of this fiscal, the net profit of the company stood at Rs 544.18 crore, while the total revenue for the year was Rs 3,317.56 crore.

On a consolidated basis, the group has recorded a net profit of Rs 513.73 crore for the first nine months of the current fiscal. The total revenue for the period was Rs 3,472.61 crore.

The cement industry has recorded a growth of 10 per cent for the fiscal compared with 8.7 per cent in the year- ago period.

According to ACC, with the continued emphasis on infrastructure and housing sector, coupled with a good monsoon in most parts of the country, industry is expected to continue doing well.

The cement prices are expected to remain stable and could also improve based on the overall growth in the economy and improved demand-supply dynamics.

Cipla earnings up

Cipla Ltd has reported a 39.50 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 175.31 crore for the quarter ended December 31 compared with Rs 125.67 crore for the same quarter last fiscal. Total income has increased 34.16 per cent to Rs 855.07 crore for the third quarter from Rs 637.32 crore in the year-ago period, the company has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Dr Reddy's posts profit

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd has posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 63.72 crore for the quarter ended December 31 compared with a net loss of Rs 3.54 crore suffered in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. The group's consolidated total income grew to Rs 620.60 crore from Rs 455.57 crore a year ago, up 36.22 per cent, the company has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

On an individual basis, the company has reported a net profit of Rs 54.25 crore compared with Rs 4.34 crore in the year-ago period.

GlaxoSmithKline net surges

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd has reported a 71.33 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 21.40 crore for the quarter ended December 31 compared with Rs 12.49 crore for the same quarter in 2004-05.

Total revenue has increased 14.65 per cent to Rs 249.98 crore for the fourth quarter ended December 31 from Rs 218.02 crore in the year-ago period, the company has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.