Date:27/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/27/stories/2005042707581900.htm

Business - Briefly

Nicholas pays 150 per cent

MUMBAI: With ambiguity over value added tax (VAT), the consolidated net profit of Nicholas Piramal for the year ended March 31, 2005 has dipped by 17 per cent to Rs. 164.05 crores from Rs. 199.60 crores in the last fiscal. The board has declared a dividend of Rs. 3 per share (150 per cent) of the face value of a share of Rs. 2 each, the company said in a release. The group's total income has declined by five per cent to Rs. 1,341.65 crores from Rs. 1,417.22 crores. The group has posted a consolidated loss of Rs. 13.43 crores for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2005 where as the consolidated profit was Rs. 80.80 crores for the same period last year.