The Hindu Business Line : Aventis Pharma Q4 net up at Rs 30 cr

AVENTIS Pharma Ltd, the Indian arm of France-based Aventis SA, has clocked a net profit of Rs 30 crore for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003. The comparable net profit for the corresponding period in the previous year is Rs 16.8 crore.

Total sales increased from Rs 160.2 crore in the fourth quarter for the year 2002 to Rs 175.9 crore in the corresponding period for the year 2003.

Meanwhile, the company has posted a net profit of Rs 98.6 crore for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to a net profit of Rs 61.1 crore for the year 2002.

Total income has increased from Rs 625.5 crore in the year 2002 to Rs 667.6 crore in the year 2003.

The board of directors has also recommended a final dividend of 125 per cent and after considering interim dividend of 35 per cent already paid, the total dividend for 2003 works out to 160 per cent, the company told the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Last year's dividend was 160 per cent for 2002, which had included a special dividend of 80 per cent.