This has happened probably due to the increase in net profit witnessed in the case of Dynacons Systems, Jai Corpn, Raj Rayon and Sterlite Optical.

The net profit of Dynacons Systems rose by 483.3 per cent to Rs 1.40 crore from Rs 0.24 crore in the corresponding period last year. The sales figure, too, increased by 212.6 per cent during the same period.

The total net sales of these 270 companies rose by 17.9 per cent to Rs 8,649 crore (Rs 7,337 crore in July-September 1999). Operating profit marginally rose by 1.5 per cent from Rs 1,551 crore to Rs 1,575 crore. Gross profit also rose by 6.3 per cent to Rs 744 crore (Rs 700 crore). This has occurred probably due to the significant increases in gross profit of Dai-Ichi Karkaria (416.7 per cent), International Travel House (976.5 per cent) and Zicom Electronics (196.2 per cent).

The profit before tax (PBT) increased by 6.6 per cent to Rs 454 crore (Rs 426 crore). Twenty-seven companies have recorded an increase of 100 per cent and more. Significant among them are Ashpura Minechem (817.2 per cent), Hatsun Agro (266.7 per cent), Kirloskar Brothers (188.7 per cent) and Madhyadesh Papers (219.1 per cent). However, 72 companies have recorded a lower PBT.

At the profit after tax (PAT) level, 26 companies have reported an increase of more than 100 per cent, with Dynacons Systems recording an increase of 483.3 per cent. As many as 71 companies recorded a lower net profit.

Significant losses made by the companies during the second quarter are Bihar Sponge Iron (Rs 14.15 crore), Ferro Alloys (Rs 13.54 crore), Gujarat Sidhee Cement (Rs 20.91 crore), IFB Industries (Rs 16.53 crore), Oudh Sugars (Rs 13.96 crore) and Saurashtra Cement (Rs 17.42 crore). The PAT to sales ratio of these 270 companies declined from 4.32 per cent in July-September 1999 to 3.91 per cent in July-September 2000. A significant increase in the ratio can be seen in the case of Ashpura Minechem (1.48 per cent to 71.89 per cent), Associated Profiles (3.49 per cent to 11.36 per cent), Indocount Finance (3.45 per cent to 16.67 per cent), International Travel House (7.37 per cent to 168.3 per cent), Jai Corpn (4.4 per cent to 20.32 per cent), Morepen Hotis (28.26 per cent to 84.51 per cent) and Sita Enterprises (4.76 per cent to 77.78 per cent).

A downward trend can be seen in the case of Amex Information Techno (30.56 per cent to 3.13 per cent), Asian Tea & Exports (14.78 per cent to 3.5 per cent), Octagon Techno (45.45 per cent to 14.29 per cent), Tasty Bite (17.09 per cent to 7.37 per cent) and Vegetable Products (13.46 per cent to 0.87 per cent).

The average earning per share (EPS) of these 270 companies marginally increased by 1.3 per cent to Rs 0.71 in July-September 2000.

Aggregates
This week's additions of 270 companies with previous weeks 705 companies' second quarter results also showed an increase in profits and sales. The total of 975 companies' sales increased by 22.9 per cent to Rs 1,78,581 crore from Rs 1,45,258 crore. Other income of these companies increased by 8.2 per cent to Rs 4,722 crore (Rs 4,364 crore). The operating profit registered a rise of 13.5 per cent to Rs 42,831 crore (Rs 37,749 crore).

Gross profit also increased by 17.2 per cent to Rs 22,605 crore (Rs 19,283 crore). PBT and PAT showed a growth of 20.1 per cent and 16.3 per cent to Rs 15,207 crore (Rs 12,662 crore) and Rs 11,811 crore (Rs 10,160 crore) respectively. The profit margin (PAT to sales) declined to 6.61 per cent (6.99 per cent) in July-September 2000. The average EPS of these 975 companies increased by 10.8 per cent to Rs 2.46 from Rs 2.22.