Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited : 3q Net Sales Up 20%, Net Profit Up 74%

3q Net Sales Up 20%, Net Profit Up 74%

Mumbai, January 23, 2012

Financial Highlights

3Q 2011-12 : Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited today reported Net Sales of Rs. 669.6 Crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, a 20% increase over the same quarter of the previous year. Reported Net Profit After Tax for the quarter is Rs. 115.6 Crore and an Earnings Per Share of Rs. 8.50, an increase of 74% over the same quarter of the previous year.

9M 2011-12 : Net Sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 are Rs.1,937.9 Crore, a 18% increase over the same period of the prior year. Reported Net Profit After Tax for the nine months is Rs 315.7 Crore an increase of 9% over the same period of the previous year.

Driving Growth
The Company achieved 20% growth over the same quarter of the previous year, led by a strong 15% volume growth in the toothpaste category, with the Company maintaining its leadership position at 52.5% market share (Dec'10-Nov'11). Major brands such as "Colgate Dental Cream", "Colgate Sensitive", "Colgate Active Salt", "Colgate Total"," Colgate MaxFresh" and "Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief" have contributed to the strong volume growth.

The mouthwash category continued its dynamic growth with the market share reaching 27.4% (Dec'10 - Nov'11).

Oral Health Month
The Company rolled out its annual national awareness program - '' (OHM) spread over two months - December 2011 and January 2012 in association with the Indian Dental Association (IDA). OHM focuses on creating awareness to fight cavities and instill the importance of good oral hygiene through free dental check-ups, across the country.  In the eighth year of OHM, a unique 'Adopt a School' initiative has been kicked off, where school children as 'Little Dentists' own and spread the message of good oral care habits in community schools.  OHM aims to create oral care awareness in approximately 10,000 schools reaching out to 20 lakh school children across India."

Innovation
The Company has had a series of launches in the toothbrush category. Colgate 360° Sonic Power- a battery operated toothbrush that combines high speed sonic vibrations with multi height bristles to remove plaque was launched. It removes more germs than any flat trim manual toothbrush. Another launch has been Colgate ZigZag Anti-Germ - a toothbrush with multi angled bristles coated with special "Anti-Germ Bristles" technology that fights germ growth on bristles for upto 90 days.

In the Kids category, two new toothbrushes namely Colgate Barbie and Colgate Spiderman have been launched that are specially designed for the needs of children having a combination of baby and adult teeth.  Barbie and Spiderman have also been introduced in the Kids Toothpaste category with Colgate Barbie toothpaste and Colgate Spiderman toothpaste.

Funding Growth
Despite the continuing inflationary environment and slowdown in the overall economy, the Company has continued with its growth momentum. Its focussed programs to enhance efficiencies and reduce costs continue to yield strong, positive results helping to maintain margin and fund investments in building and strengthening brand equity and the business. Prudent price increases and cost management has enabled the Company to maintain its Gross margin at 60% for this quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2011.

The Company is in process of setting up a new toothpaste manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat. In the current quarter, the Company has paid Rs. 42.6 Crore towards the allotment of leasehold land for the said facility. DIVIDEND

In December 2011, the Company declared and paid its second interim dividend of Rs. 9 per share. Including the First Interim Dividend of Rs. 8 per share paid in June 2011, the Company has paid a total of Rs. 17 per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2011.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2011, the Company had declared a Total Dividend of Rs. 22 per share.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is India's leading provider of scientifically proven oral care products with multiple benefits at various price points. The range includes toothpastes, toothpowder, toothbrushes and mouthwashes under the "Colgate" brand, as well as a specialized range of dental therapies under the banner of Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. These have become an essential part of daily oral hygiene and therapeutic oral care in India. The Company also provides a range of personal care products under the 'Palmolive' brand name.
Colgate has been ranked as India's #1 Most Trusted Brand across all categories for four consecutive years from 2003 to 2007 and in 2011 by Brand Equity's Most Trusted Brand Survey. It is the only brand to be in the top three from 2001-2011. Prior to this, Colgate was also rated as the #1 brand by the A&M - MODE Annual Survey for India's Top Brands for eight out of nine years during the period 1992 to 2001. For more information about Colgate's business and products, visit the Company's website on the internet at .