United Spirits Q1 net profit at Rs 137.71 cr

Country's largest spirit maker UnitedSpirits Ltd (USL) on Tuesday posted a net profit of Rs 137.71 crore for thefirst quarter ended June 30, 2011.

The company had reported a net profit of Rs 121.05 crore inthe same period previous financial year, USL said in a filing to the BombayStock Exchange (BSE).

The company's total income stood at Rs 1,944.49 crore forthe first quarter ended June 30.

During the same period previous fiscal the company's totalincome was Rs 1,470.61 crore.

The figures for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 are aftergiving effect to the merger of Balaji Distilleries Ltd and therefore notcomparable with the figures of the same period previous fiscal, it added.

The company's board, which met on Wednesday, has recommendeda dividend of Rs 2.50 per share, including on 5,200,639 shares allotted to theshareholders of Balaji Distilleries on January 14, 2011, consequent to itsmerger with the company.

USL has a portfolio of more than 140 brands, of which 20 aremillionaire brands and has manufacturing and bottling units at 84 locations, acrossthe country.

Shares of USL on Wednesday today closed at Rs 983.05 apieceon BSE, down 0.82 per cent from the previous close.