BLB's net profit rose by 433.3 per cent to Rs 112 lakh during the secondquarter, from Rs 21 lakh in the year-ago period. Its net sales increased by97.5 per cent to Rs 12,455 lakh during the period. The net sales of the 352companies increased by 10.7 per cent to Rs 12,354 crore duringJuly-September '99. This has happened probably due to the significant risein net sales of companies like Apar Industries, Anukaran Commercials, ApolloFinvest, Compucom Software, Kemicare Products, Maskara Industries, MTJPolyester, National Flask Indus, and Unimin India.

The operating profit of the companies also rose by 12.8 per cent to Rs 2,660crore in July-September '99, from Rs 2,357 crore. The companies' grossprofit also rose by 17.3 per cent to Rs 1,180 crore in the period, from Rs1,006 crore. Their profit before tax (PBT) rose by 19.9 per cent to Rs 684crore in July-September '99. Though the net profit of the 352 companies roseby 27.8 per cent to Rs 524 crore during July-September '99, from Rs 410crore, their profit after tax (PAT) to sales ratio increased from 3.68 percent to 4.25 per cent during the period.

Of the 352 companies, 79 firms' gross profit fell. Prominent among them areCeenik Exports (-80.9 per cent), Devarsa Gas Chem (-84.0 per cent), andRecon (-91.9 per cent).

Forty companies more than doubled their gross profit during the secondquarter. Significant among them are Apar Industries, BLB, Eider Commercials,Ginni Filaments, Jaiprakash Enterprises, KV Foundations, Nagreeka Exports,National Flask Industries, Oasis Securities, Silcal Metallurgic, and SoniInfosys.

In PBT, 53 companies saw a rise of 100 per cent or more during the secondquarter. Mention may be made of B Arunkumar's International, HimalayaInternational, Nirav Commercials, RPG Life Sciences, and Twinstar Software.However, 71 companies have recorded a lower PBT during July-September '99 Inthe case of PAT, significant losses made by companies during the periodinclude: Flotglass India (-Rs 11.40 crore), Gujarat Alkalies (-Rs 10.31crore), Lloyds Metals (-Rs 11.00 crore), Mafatlal Finance (-Rs 18.06 crore),Maskara Industries (-Rs 11.79 crore), Modern Threads (-Rs 14.09 crore), andSIV Industries (-Rs 31.51 crore). As many as 69 companies recorded lower netprofits during July-September '99. On the other hand, 54 companies saw arise of 100 per cent or more. Mention may be made of Aftek Infosys, KesoramIndustries, Rajendra Electricals, Suman Motels, and VLS Finance.

Among the 352 companies, the top five in respect of PAT sales ratio duringthe second quarter were Vakrangee Software (49.23 per cent), Consortex Karl(48.86 per cent), Moser Baer (40.30 per cent), Aftek Infosys (37.56 percent) and Engineers India (34.29 per cent). AGGREGATES: This addition of 352companies with the previous week's 866 firms' second-quarter results shows arise in sales and profits. The 1,218 companies' sales rose by 19.8 per centto Rs 146,611 crore, from Rs 122,419 crore. The companies have registered a6.4 per cent rise to Rs 4,296 crore (Rs 4,037 crore) in other income duringJuly-September '99. The companies' operating profit risen 16.6 per cent toRs 34,339 crore, from Rs 29,438 crore.

The PBT and PAT figures of the companies increased by 17.4 per cent to Rs12,005 crore (Rs 10,221 crore) and 19.0 per cent to Rs 9,707 crore (Rs 8,160crore) respectively. The ratio of PAT to sales ratio marginally fell from6.67 per cent to 6.62 per cent.