A 67% increase in net profit for the third quarter ended December 2008 at Rs 6.93 crore as against Rs 4.15 crore posted in the corresponding quarter last year was today posted by United Breweries Holdings.

It should be noted however, that total income of the company in the quarter saw a decline by 11% to Rs 91.75 crore when compared to Rs 102.91 crore in the same quarter last year.

There has been a decrease by 8% at Rs 51 crore in the company's total expenditure in the quarter as compared to Rs 55.25 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

The company, based in Bangalore, presently holds close to 40 per cent share in the Indian beer market.