CESC Q4 earnings jump 40.98%

[B. KARTHICK]

CESC announced a substantial rise in standalone net profit for the
quarter ended March 2008. During the quarter, the profit of the
company jumped 40.98% to Rs 860 million from Rs 610 million in the
same quarter last year. The company reported earnings of Rs 6.88 a
share during the quarter, registering 6.01% decline over prior year
period.

Net sales for the quarter rose 16.64% to Rs 6,380 million, while total
income for the quarter rose 18.06% to Rs 6,800 million, when compared
with the prior year period.

Quarterly Results - standalone (Rs in mn)
As at Mar - 08 Mar - 07 %Change
Net Sales 6380.00 5470.00 16.64
Net Profit 860.00 610.00 40.98
Basic EPS 6.88 7.32 (6.01)


During the quarter the company disclosed a fall in operating margin by
164.02 basis points to 19.75% on higher input cost. On the other hand,
there has been decrease of 13.89% in interest charge to Rs 310 million
and fall of 2.44% in depreciation charge to Rs 400 million over
previous year period.