With investors concentrating on listed companies, the performance of the unlisted companies,which also contribute to the performance of India Inc, is often ignored. About 201 unlisted companies have been monitored by the Financial Express Research Bureau. These companies have posted a growth in their bottom line by about 39.5% in 2009-10 against a decline of 8% in 2008-09. The top line growth of the unlisted companies turned out to be negative of 7.6% in 2009-10 against an increase of 31.8% in 2008-09.

In actual value terms the sale of these companies increased from Rs 1.01 lakh crore during 2007-08 to Rs 1.32 lakh crore during 2008-09 and decreased thereafter to Rs 1.22 lakh crore during 2009-10. The other income of the companies steadily increased from Rs 7,255 crore to Rs 10,602 crore. But the net profit decreased from Rs 9,676 crore during 2007-08 to Rs 8,907 crore during 2008-09 and increased thereafter to Rs 12,424 crore during 2009-10.

The operating profit of these companies increased from Rs 22,656 crore during 2007-08 to Rs 23,346 crore during 2008-09 and further to Rs 27,167 crore during 2009-10. The operating profit margin of these unlisted companies steadily decreased by 493 basis points to 17.66% during 2008-09 increased thereafter by 458 basis points to 22.24% during 2009-10.

Around 53% of the total unlisted companies have reported strong profits in 2010 over 2009 and 41% of the companies have witnessed a fall in their profitability. Companies like Aricent Tech, Pearl Global, TCSe-Serve, Madras Aluminium, Yokogawa India and Lucas-TVS made a strong profit in 2009-10. The net profit of Aricent Tech increased by 1446.9% to Rs 236.36 crore during the period.

Lucas-TVS, a auto ancillaries-electrical company, saw 152.8% jump in their net profit. In 2008-09 the net profit was Rs 21.45 crore and in 2009-10 it was Rs 54.23 crore. TCSe-Serve, an IT-enabled Services/Business Process company, have seen their profits increasing from Rs 106.87 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 614.07 crore in 2009-10.

On the other hand, some major companies like Essar Steel, Kores (India), Aircel Cellular, Bennett, Coleman and Neelachal Ispat have shown a decline in profitability in 2009-10.

Essar Steel has seen 87.9% decline in their net profit. In 2008-09, the net profit was Rs 185.20 crore and in 2009-10 it was just Rs 22.45 crore.

Aircel Cellular, a telecommunications-service provider company, have seen their profits dwindled from Rs 107.01 crore to Rs 30.68 crore during the above period.

Among the industries, some major industries like construction, engineering, pesticides, electricity, textiles and transmission line tower have registered more than 25% growth in sales during 2009-10. The sales of construction group of companies increased by 48.7% to Rs 3,156 crore during 2009-10.

On the other hand significant growth in operating profit was seen in the case of auto ancilleries, construction, IT, metal/mining/minerals, engineering, textiles and transmission line tower. The operating profit of metal/mining/minerals group of companies increased by 90.9% during 2009-10.

On the other hand a decline in sales was seen in the case of IT, printing & stationery, refineries and steel.

In terms of operating profit a decline was registered in the case of electric equipment, food products, electricity, printing & stationery, steel and telecommunications.