HLL''s income, profit declines

Our Corporate Bureau
11 February 2005

Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) has posted a net profit of Rs333.67 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 as compared to Rs494.72 crore for the same quarter in the last financial year. Total Income has increased from Rs2,684.53 crore in Q4 2003 to Rs2,692.38 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2004.

The company has posted a net profit of Rs1,197.36 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from Rs1,771.79 crore for the year ended December 31, 2003. Total Income declined marginally to Rs10,245.79 crore for the year ended December 31, 2004 from Rs10,598.18 crore in FY-03.

The consolidated results are: The Group has posted a net profit of Rs1,208.40 crore for the year ended December 31, 2004 where the same was Rs1,687.34 crore for the year ended December 31, 2003. Total Income also declined to Rs10,901.81 crore for the year ended December 31, 2004 from Rs11,268.77 crore in FY-03.( Note: The results for the year are not comparable to those of the previous year due to the sale of edible oils and fats business effective from August 29, 2003.)

The board of directors at the meeting held on February 11, 2005, recommended a final dividend of Rs2.50 per equity share of Re1 for the year 2004, subject to approval of the shareholders. Together with the interim dividend of Rs2.50 per share the total dividend for the year works out to Rs5.00 per share. Distribution tax will be borne by the company.

The register of members of the company will remain closed from June 09, 2005, to June 23, 2005, (both days inclusive) in connection with the payment of final dividend.

The company''s AGM is scheduled to be held on June 24, 2005.