For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2012, Grasim Industries registered a decline of 8% in its net profit, which remained at Rs 809 crore as against Rs 879 crore in the same period of last year.

In a declaration, ndustries accredited the drop in profit to lower realizations and elevated input costs, chiefly caustic soda and coal.

During the three month period, sales volumes of viscose staple fibre (VSF) climbed up 11% headed by higher exports, in spite of slump in the eurozone and novel capacitances in the Chinese market.

But, rates of viscose staple fibre and other contending fibres remained on the top a year ago and VSF realization for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2012 remained down 16.

Cement sales volumes zoomed 9% at 12.06 million tonnes.

Net sales surged 13% at Rs 7,205 crore from Rs 6,398 crore in the same period of last year.

The company's operating profit stood at Rs 1,883 crore during Jan-March period.

For the year 2011-12, the company's board of directors have declared a dividend of Rs 22.5 per share when its net profit rose 16% to Rs. 2,647 crore.

The operating profit went up by 17% to Rs. 6,320 crore as against Rs. 5,395 crore in the same period of 2011.