This 121 years old company declared its Q3Fy15 numbers just a few minutes before market closure. It was a steady performance, no fireworks or sparks. On a 20% (YoY) rise in net sales at Rs.48 crore, driven by good volume growth in OTC business, the company ended the quarter with a net profit of Rs.6.58 crore, up 20%. Operating costs rose 18% and this saw a 64% jump in advertising and selling expenses. EBITDA rose 75% at Rs.14 crore and margins were up from 20% to 29.17%.

Its OTC business, which contributes 96% to topline, showed a 18% rise in revenue and 11% jump in EBIT. Beverages revenue was up 17% and there was a loss at EBIT level. The company is trying to propel itself further through wider geographical spread and aggressive marketing. With its strength in headache balm, Amrutanjan, the company is now trying to cash-in on its Roll-on format and it plans to market this product pretty strongly this fiscal. Its beverage, Fruitnik is doing OK but continues to make losses. The company has undertaken some restructuring of distribution and this has helped shore up the margins. Fruitnik is currently available in South India and plans to expand it into UP, West Bengal and Maharashtra. The company’s equity is pretty small at Rs.2.92 crore and reserves is at Rs.94 crore.