Merck Ltd, a part of Merck KGaA, Germany, has suffered setback during the first quarter ended March 2007 on account of lower sales from its chemical division. The net profit declined by 14.1 per cent to Rs 15.93 crore from Rs 18.54 crore in the corresponding period of last year. Its net sales declined sharply by 30.6 per cent to Rs 70.41 crore from Rs 101.46 crore. The earning per share for the quarter under review worked out to Rs 9.45 as against Rs 11 in the last period.

Merck's pharmaceuticals sales improved to Rs 56.12 crore from Rs 52.45 crore in the similar period of last year. However, its sales of chemicals declined to Rs 15.26 crore from Rs 51.60 crore.

The company paid an interim dividend of Rs 10 per share during March 2007.