The company's board, which met here on Friday, has maintained the dividend at Rs 2.50 per share (25 per cent). The profit before interest and depreciation in 1998-99 amounted to Rs 148.74 crore as against Rs 126.06 crore in the previous year, said a company release. Gross profit after interest but before depreciation and taxation increased to Rs 69.67 crore from Rs 69.88 crore last year. Exports for the year amounted to Rs 270.58 crore, which includes deemed exports of Rs 101.47 crore, compared to last year's Rs 227.56 crore. Total expenditure stood at Rs 1545.17 crore as against Rs 1468.49 crore in the previous year.

Interest charges shot up to Rs 79.07 crore as compared to Rs 66.18 crore in the previous year while provision fordepreciation increased from Rs 39.36 crore to Rs 45.55 crore during the period. The company had estimated its year 2000 compliance costs at Rs 1.90 crore after having examined its and non-IT hardware and software, it added. The company had estimated its year 2000 compliance costs at Rs 1.90 crore after having examined its IT and non-IT hardware and software, it said.

Dabur net up
MUMBAI: The board of directors of Dabur India Limited today recommended a 30 per cent final dividend for 1998-99 as its net profit jumped 11.2 per cent to touch Rs 50.10 crore. The company's net profit in 1997-98 was Rs 45.04 crore. Net sales in 1998-99 were at Rs 915 crore, up 12.8 per cent from Rs 811 crore a year ago. The company had paid its shareholders an interim dividend of 20 per cent in December.