The transaction has generated a book profit of Rs 13.24 crore which has been shown as an extra-ordinary item after the net profit. These details were disclosed after the board meeting held last week to approve the audited accounts for the year ended March 31, 2000.

Rhone Poulenc (India) has registered a 21 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 25.99 crore for the year ended March 31, 2000 from Rs 21.56 crore in the previous year. Net sales went up by 11 per cent to Rs 235.71 crore from Rs 211.97 crore in the previous year.

Expenditure cost increased by around 8 per cent to Rs 200.67 crore from Rs 185.63 crore over the previous year. The negligible interest cost declined by 23.08 per cent while depreciation increased by 13.77 per cent over the previous year.

Operating and gross margin improved from 18.77 and 18.75 per cent from 16.50 and 16.20 per cent respectively. The 50 per cent increase in taxes over the previous year accounted for a low net margin of 11.03 per cent, as against 10.17 per cent over the previous year.The board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 2.50 per share, which is in addition to the interim dividend of Rs 28.50 per share, aggregating to a total dividend of Rs 31 per share for the year.

Rhone Poulenc (India), 40 per cent owned by French parent Rhone Poulenc, has internationally merged with Hoechst to form Aventis SA, France.