Cipla Ltd, the third largest pharmaceutical company in India, has reported net profit growth of only 8.8 per cent during the year ended March 2007 on account of increase in material cost and overheads significantly in the fourth quarter. The company's net profit amounted to Rs 660.82 crore as compared to Rs 607.64 crore in the previous year. Its net sales increased by 19.6 per cent to Rs 3572.14 crore from Rs 2985.88 crore. The operating profit margin worked out to 22.4 per cent during 2006-07 as against 21.8 per cent. However, the net margins stood at 18 per cent as compared to 19.5 per cent in the last year.

The earning per share, after considering enhance equity capital resulted from the bonus issue and allotment of share in respect of GDRs, worked out to Rs 8.52 as against Rs 8.11 in the last year.

The company's total exports went up by 17.6 per cent to Rs 1780.74 crore from Rs 1513.64 crore in the previous year. Its formulations exports amounted to Rs 1297.82 crore as compared to Rs 1029.81 crore and export of APIs declined slightly to Rs 482.92 crore from Rs 483.83 crore. Exports contribute over 50 per cent to its sales.

The company's subsidiary at Jebel All, Dubai did not undertake any business operations during 2006-07.