Dabur was full of zest in early trades after showing an 87.3% rise in net profit for the quarter ended 31 March 2003.
The scrip of the ayurveda-focused drugs maker climbed 3.28% to Rs 42.50 by 9:57 IST in the bargain. Volumes of 1,750 shares were recorded on the counter on BSE by that time.

On Saturday, the company said that its Q4 ended 31 March 2003 net profit leaped a huge 87.3% to Rs 16.56 crore (Rs 8.84 crore) on just a 5% increase in net sales to Rs 295.20 crore (Rs 281.17 crore).

For FY 2002-03, the company posted a 32% increase in net profit to Rs 85.10 crore (Rs 64.44 crore) on a 6% rise in net sales to Rs 1,232.30 crore (Rs 1,163.19 crore). On a consolidated basis, for the year ended 31 March 2003, the company's net profit grew 36% to Rs 93.02 crore (Rs 68.44 crore) on a 7% increase in net sales to Rs 1,370.86 crore (Rs 1,280.96 crore).

The key growth drivers for this performance were the company's FMCG and pharma businesses. Despite the poor monsoon last year, the FMCG segment recorded a 4.8% growth, while the pharmaceutical segment improved 12.8%.

Dabur has a range of products in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment from hair oil to drugs. The company has three business divisions - family products (FPD), healthcare products and Dabur ayurvedic specialities (DASL). It also makes a number of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

The company's portfolio includes personal care and healthcare products like hair care, oral care, tonics, digestives and childcare products. Some of the company's leading FMCG brands include Chywanprash, Hajmola and Vatika hair oil and shampoo. The company's pharmaceuticals business comprises allopathic, oncology, formulations and bulk drugs.

The company recommended a 90% (Rs 0.90 per share on a face value of Rs 1 per share) final dividend for FY 2002-03.

The company also recommended a swap ratio of 1:2 (one equity share of Re 1 each in Dabur Pharma for every two shares held in Dabur India). The Dabur India (DIL) shareholders will now hold shares in Dabur Pharma in addition to their existing shares in DIL. The shares of the de-merged pharmaceutical company will also be listed on the exchanges.

As on 31 March 2003, the promoters held 78.34% stake in Dabur, while institutions and the public held 8.15% and 9.7%, respectively.