Dabur Q4 net profit for 2011 surges 16% to $32.39m

Indian FMCG company Dabur has reported 16% rise in net profit to INR1.7bn ($32.39m) for the fourth quarter of 2011, up from INR1.47bn ($27.92m) during the same period last year.

Dabur also reported a 23% increase in consolidated net sales to INR13.63bn ($259m) when compared to INR11.08bn ($210.5m) in the corresponding period last year.

The company said that the profits were due to the strong growth noted in the key categories of hair oils, health supplements, food and home care.

Dabur’s net profit for the year ended 31 March 2012 was up 13% to INR6.44bn ($122.4m) as against INR5.6bn ($107.9m) during the same time in the previous fiscal.

The company said that despite macro headwinds such as rising input costs and business disruptions in certain geographies like Nepal, it posted considerable profits in segments such as hair care and oral care, according to economictimes.com.

Hair Oil business grew by 20.2% in the quarter led by growth in Amla and Vatika brands, while Skin Care business registered a gain of 17.6%.

Shampoo category reported a strong resurgence with a 16.8% growth for the quarter ending, while Health Supplements category ended the quarter with a near 11% growth.

The firm said that it also saw expansion in the professional grooming space with the launch of the country’s first body bleach under its Fem brand.

Dabur reported that its international business grew 27.2% during the 2011-12 fiscal, with Nigeria posting 34% growth, followed by Egypt with 29%, adding that the growth was led mainly by shampoos, hair creams and toothpaste.