Homegrown FMCG major Dabur India has reported 1.2 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 362.67 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2017.

The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 358.35 crore in the same period last fiscal, Dabur India said in a BSE filing today.

Revenue from operations during the period under review stood at Rs 1,958.93 crore. Revenues stood at Rs 1,981.62 crore in the year-ago period. The figures are not comparable due to GST implementation in July this year, the company added.

Dabur India said the board of directors has also declared an interim dividend of 125 per cent of Rs 1.25 per share, aggregating a total payout of Rs 265.02 crore, including tax, for 2017-18.

Dabur India Chief Executive Officer Sunil Duggal said: “The overall business environment continued to be challenging particularly with the overseas geographies like the Middle East and Africa facing geopolitical headwinds.”

In India, the trade channels have largely normalised post the introduction of GST and consumer offtake has been reporting a steady growth, he added.

On the outlook, he said the medium to long-term prospects, particularly for India, remained robust.

“We are confident that domestic consumer demand will gain pace in months to come. With consumer demand for nature and Ayurveda-based products on the rise, Dabur’s positioning as the ‘Science-based Ayurveda’ specialist will pave the way for future growth,” Duggal added.

Segmentwise, during the second quarter, oral care business grew 23 per cent led by Dabur Red paste; skin care and salon business reported a 16 per cent growth, it said.

Foods business ended the second quarter with 12 per cent growth, while digestives segment also reported a nearly 12 per cent increase.

Shares of Dabur India Ltd were trading at Rs 324.80 apiece, up 1.04 per cent from the previous close on the BSE.