Merck Q1 net at Rs 16 cr

MUMBAI: Drug firm Merck Ltd today posted a net profit of Rs 15.93 crore for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, as against Rs 18.54 crore for the same period a year ago.

Total income (net of excise) stood at Rs 79.78 crore for the three months ended March 31, 2007 where as the same was at Rs 107.43 crore for the corresponding period in 2006, Merck informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Merck said the figures for previous year/quarter are not comparable, due to sale of Life Science and Analytics (excluding bulk drugs) business with effect from April 1, 2006.

Shares of Merck closed at Rs 403.15, up 0.80 per cent on the BSE.