J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals has posted a net profit growth of 100.6 per cent during the third quarter ended December 2009 to Rs 28.56 crore from Rs 14.24 crore in the corresponding period of last year mainly due to gain of Rs 0.16 crore from foreign exchange as against a exchange loss of Rs 29.09 crore in the last period. Its earnings before interest, depreciation, taxation and foreign exchange adjustments declined by 18.7 per cent to Rs 44.47 crore from Rs 54.68 crore in the similar period of last year. Its net sales declined by almost 10 per cent to Rs 198.07 crore from Rs 219.97 crore due to lower exports to its key market ie Russia/CIS countries.
For the nine months period ended December 2009, the company's net sales declined by 11.2 per cent to Rs 504.35 crore from Rs 568 crore in the same period of last year. However, its net profit moved up by 11.6 per cent to Rs 74.02 crore from Rs 66.35 crore. The earnings per share improved to Rs 8.78 from Rs 7.87 in the last period.
The company continued to consolidate its operations in international market consequent of challenges posed by the economic slow down and was completely focused to protect the bottom line. However, during the nine months exports to rest of the world markets achieved reasonable growth. In the domestic market, the key focus brands continued to grow and the company achieved good growth in sales of focus brands during the said nine months. The strategic investment made in Biotech Laboratories (Pty) Ltd of South Africa will help to increase sales in lucrative South African market.
The vigorous cost control measures has helped reduce expenses significantly, while the stringent receivables and inventory management coupled with control over expenses resulted in 55.4 per cent lower interest cost during the third quarter.