May 17, 2005
PAT AT RS.1236.95 CRORES GROWS BY 53%
REVENUES FOR THE YEAR UP BY 32%
DIVIDEND INCREASED TO 125% INCLUDING A SPECIAL DIVIDEND OF 25%
Quarter ended March 31, 2005
The Company reported revenues (net of excise) of Rs.5338.87 crores for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, an increase of 29% over revenues of Rs.4143.45 crores in the corresponding quarter of last year. The Profit Before Tax (PBT) was Rs.465.28 crores as against a Profit Before Tax of Rs.438.42 crores in Q4 of FY 2004.
The Profit After Tax (PAT) for the fourth quarter, after provision of Rs.77.11 crores (Rs.145.95 crores) towards current and deferred tax was Rs.388.17 crores as compared to Rs.292.47 crores in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, an increase of 33%. However, the operating margins witnessed significant pressure due to an unprecedented increase in material costs like steel and other commodities.
The total sales volume for Q4 of FY 05 at 120410 grew by 24% over 97358 numbers sold in Q4 of FY 04. Sales of Commercial Vehicles in the domestic market increased by 16% to 55132 in the quarter, while Passenger Vehicle sales at 54080 recorded a growth of 26% over the Q4 of the previous fiscal. Exports grew by 60% to 11198 in the quarter.
Financial Year ended March 31, 2005
The Company’s revenues (net of excise) for the Financial Year 2005 improved by 32% to Rs.17419.13 crores (previous year Rs.13223.22 crores). The PBT for the year grew by 28% to Rs.1651.90 crores (previous year Rs.1292.34 crores). After providing Rs.414.95 crores (previous year Rs.482 crores) towards current and deferred tax for the year, the PAT was Rs.1236.95 crores, an increase of 53% over the PAT of Rs.810.34 crores achieved in the previous year.
The Company recorded significant increases in the sales volume across all product groups. The total sales volume for the year 2005 at 399566 nos. grew by 27%. Commercial Vehicle sales in the domestic market were 189993 nos., an increase of 25% as against the industry growth of 22%. Consequently, the Company improved its overall market share in the Commercial Vehicle segment to 59.7% from 58.5% in the previous year.
Total sales of Passenger Vehicles at 179076 nos. grew by 28% as compared to the industry volume growth of 17%, resulting an increase in the Passenger Vehicle market share to 16.9% from 15.5% in the previous year.
Exports for the year recorded an impressive growth of 38% at 30497 nos. in the current year as against 22046 nos. in the previous year.
Consolidated Financial Results for the year ended March 31, 2005
The Company reported consolidated revenues (net of excise) Rs.19532.84 crores an increase of 40% as against Rs.13924.72 crores in the previous year. The PBT for the financial year 2005 was Rs.1848.09 crores as against Rs.1444.87 crores in the previous year recording a growth of 28%. The consolidated PAT after considering an amount of Rs.490.62 crores (previous year Rs.530.77 crores) towards current and deferred tax, adjustment for share of minority interest and profit in associate companies was Rs.1385.34 crores as against Rs.915.29 crores in the previous year, recording a growth of 51%.
Dividend
The Board of Directors has, recommended a dividend Rs.12.50 per share (including Rs.2.50 as a special dividend) of Rs.10/- each for the financial year 2004-05 (Previous year Rs.8 per share), subject to approval of the Shareholders. Tax on Dividend will be borne by the Company.
The Audited Financial Results for the quarter and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2005 are enclosed.