FMCG major, Hindustan Unilever reported profits in line with expectations with profit after tax at Rs 787 crores, for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2013. Total Income for the entire year has increased from Rs. 22394.68 crores for the Year ended March 31, 2012 to Rs 26417.1 crores for the Year ended March 31, 2013. Volume growth at the company came in at an encouraging 6 per cent for the fourth quarter against estimates of 5.5 per cent.

Soaps and detergent business growth was at 13 per cent, while the EBIT margin for the same was at 12 per cent. According to analysts the improvement in margins, despite higher advert spends and better then expected volume growth was encouraging.

The board of the company has recommended a dividend of Rs 6 per share.

The stock of Hindustan Unilever surged 4.21 per cent following the announcement of the results.

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