Aptech reports lower loss
Aptech Ltd has reported a 35.2 per cent growth in revenues at Rs 50.70 crore for the first quarter against Rs 37.51 crore during the same period last year. The revenue from software stands at Rs 11.21 crore, a growth of 94 per cent while training division grew by 24 per cent, generating a revenue of Rs 38.5 crore. Aptech's training revenue in the first quarter accounts for only 12 per cent of the annual revenue. During January-March, trainingrevenues are low as the business is seasonal and the maximum business happens April onwards. The company has reported a lower loss of Rs 6.41 crore in the first quarter against loss of Rs 8.10 crore for the same period in the previous year.

BASF net up 6%
BASF has registered a six per cent increase in net profit at Rs 17.89 crore for the year ended March 1999 as against Rs 16.88 crore in the previous year. Sales jumped 16.09 per cent to Rs 341.56 crore (Rs 294.22 crore). Other income and total expenditure stood at Rs 3.87 crore and Rs 287.13 crores respectively. Depreciation was Rs 20.50 crore while provision for taxation was higher at Rs 3.65 crore.

Bellary Steels posts loss
Bellary Steels and Alloys Ltd (BSAL) has reported a net loss of Rs 1.02 crore for the three months period ended March 1999. During the quarter, the company registered a net sales of Rs 70.07 crore and other income of Rs 6 lakh. Bellary Steels incurred an expenditure of Rs 63 crore during the period. Figures forthe corresponding quarter ended March 31, 1998, were not available with the company.

Gramophone net up 42%
The Gramophone Company of India Ltd, popularly known as HMV, posted a net profit of Rs 3.84 crore (Rs 2.71 crore) in 1998-99, up 42 per cent. Total income was Rs 118.09 crore (Rs 113.44 crore). Despite recession in the music industry, the company achieved significant increase in bottomline by focussing on its core catalogue range of products, improving productivity as well as strong earnings from international markets. Its wholly owned subsidiary, RPG Music International Ltd, which markets music outside India, recorded a turnover of Rs 21.79 crore.

Natco Pharma posts loss
Natco Pharma Ltd (NPL) has reported a net loss of Rs 21.06 crore for the 18-month period ended March 1999, consequent to the sale of popular brands to Sun Pharma. As per the unaudited results announced in Hyderabad on Friday, the company has posted turnover of Rs 194.36 crore as against Rs 269.12 crore in theprevious 18-month period. The gross profit is at Rs 16.13 crore. It has created a provision for depreciation Rs 4.93 crore.

Pokarna Granites net up
Pokarna Granites Limited, an arm of Rs 80-crore Pokarna group, has reported a marginal increase in its net profit to Rs 3 crore for the year ended March 1999 as against Rs 2.74 crore during 1997-98. The board met on April 26 to finalise the unaudited financial results for the year. The gross sales have improved to Rs 20.7 crore (Rs 18 crore). According to official sources, the total expenditure shot up to Rs 15.1 crore from Rs 13 crore as the first half results were not encouraging due to wastage of time in installing new equipment. The gross profit increased to Rs 4.15 crore from Rs 3.7 crore.

TNPL back into black
Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL) has earned a profit after tax of Rs 13.57 crore for the year ended March 1999 as against a net loss of Rs 3.57 crore for the previous financial year. It achieved a turnover of Rs454.60 crore, up 7.9 per cent. Interest and finance charges was marginally lower at Rs 65.80 crore (Rs 67.60 crore). Gross profit after interest but before depreciation and taxation stood at Rs 60.94 crore (Rs 39.11 crore).

Bayer records loss
Bayer India has registered a net loss of Rs 93 lakh for the quarter ended March 1999. Sales were Rs 110.58 crore while other income stood at Rs 88 lakh. Total expenditure and interest were Rs 102.88 crore and Rs 6.90 crore respectively. Interest and depreciation stood at Rs 6.90 crore and Rs 2.61 crore respectively. The board has at its meeting held on April 12, approved a scheme of amalgamation of Jagat Chemicals with the company, effective January 1, 1999, subject to necessary approval.

Snowcem profit up
Snowcem India Ltd has posted a net profit of Rs 8.75 crore for the financial year ended March 1999, a 55 per cent increase over the previous year. The exterior paint company has recorded a turnover of Rs 111.26 crore, as against Rs 77.55 crorelast year. Gross profit amounted to Rs 10.79 crore, 43 per cent higher than last year.