• Sale was lower by marginal 2% to Rs 2427.76 crore.
  
• The 140 bps expansion in OPM to 44.6% was largely due to sharp fall in fuel cost as well as staff and other costs. Staff cost as proportion to sales net of stocks down by 10 bps to 1.9%. The fuel cost was down by 70 bps to 40.3% and similarly the other expenses were down by 70 bps to 13.1%. Thus facilitated by expansion in OPM, the operating profit was up by 2% to Rs 1083.84 crore despite lower sales.

• Other income (net) was an expense of RS 27.18 crore compared to an income of Rs 130.01 crore in the corresponding previous period. Thus the fall at PBIDT was 12% to Rs 1056.66 crore.

• The interest cost was lower by 6% to Rs 689.95 crore. And the depreciation was up by 12% to Rs 194.30 crore. Thus the PBT was down by 40% to Rs 172.41 crore.

• The taxation was a write back of Rs 78.06 crore compared to provision of Rs 69.50 crore in the corresponding previous period. Thus spurred by tax write back the net profit stood higher by 16% to Rs 250.47 crore.

Yearly performance

Consolidated sales were lower by 5% to Rs 9839.82 crore. But with operating profit margin expand by 380 bps to 47.1%; the operating profit was up by 3% to Rs 4633.05 crore. After accounting for lower other income, higher interest and higher depreciation cost the PBT was down by 14% to Rs 1231.34 crore. The taxation was down by 39% to Rs 196.53 crore. Thus the PAT was up by 6% to Rs 1034.81 crore.