Q4Fy15 was not very kind on ITC with all its segments, except hotels, showing a fall in profit. Cigarette business, which contributes 74% to total income showed a 5% (YoY) rise in topline but 5% drop in EBIT. Agri business topline was down 10% and EBIT was down 31% and paper showed a flat revenue with a 11% fall in EBIT. Hotel showed a 5% rise in topline and EBIT was up by a big 55%.

The company ended the quarter with a 4% rise in net sales at Rs.9188 crore. After a 10% rise in expenses, EBITDA was down 6% at Rs.3243 crore and margins dropped from 38.74% to 34.90%. Other income too dropped 36%. Tax outgo was down 15% and the company ended the quarter with a 10% fall in net profit at Rs.2361 crore.

ITC ended FY15 with a 9% rise in consolidated net profit at Rs.9663 crore on a 10% rise in net sales at Rs.38,433 crore. Cash at end at end of FY15 was at Rs.7896 crore, up by 126% and reserves stood at a huge Rs.30,934 crore. For a company of this size, debt of Rs.256 crore makes it seem almost debt free.