Gillette India, the market leader in shaving products for men, has reported a net profit of Rs68.72 crore, or Rs21.09 per share, for the financial year ended December 2005 as compared to Rs61.22 crore, or Rs18.79 per share, for 2004, an increase of 12.25 per cent. Total revenues for the year increased to Rs470.96 crore as against Rs425.19 crore, a growth of 10.76 per cent.

Other income for the full year at Rs17.93 crore declined marginally as compared to Rs18.88 crore during the previous year.

Operating profits for the year 2005 were at Rs124.91 crore as compared to Rs113.93 crore during 2004. Operating margins for 2005 at 27.57 per cent were marginally lower than 28.04 per cent for 2004.

For the quarter ended December 2005, the company has reported a net profit of Rs14.95 crore, or Rs4.59 per share, as against Rs6.83 crore, or Rs2.1 per share, for the previous year quarter. Total revenues for the quarter increased to Rs121.15 crore from Rs104.22 crore during the pervious year quarter.

Gillette had reported a net profit of Rs19.33 crore, or Rs5.93 per share, during the quarter ended September 2005 on total revenues of Rs121.85 crore.

Last quarter operating margins were lower at 24.88 per cent as compared to 29.36 per cent for the third quarter.

In a significant deal last year, US-based Gillette merged with Procter & Gamble. However, it has been decided that Gillette India would maintain its separate legal identity in India and would not merge with P&G India. It was also decided to restructure the operations of Gillette India in line with the policies and practices of P&G.

Gillette is trading at Rs968.95 (up 3.16 per cent) at 11.56 AM on the NSE today.