ITC

shares also saw strong buying interest, climbing 3 percent to an intraday high of Rs 439 per share, breaking a four-day losing streak. The company on Thursday reported a 2 percent year-on-year rise in standalone net profit before exceptional items and tax at Rs 6,416.85 crore for the January-March period of FY25, up from Rs 6,287.57 crore in the same quarter last year. The earnings reflect the impact of steady growth in its flagship cigarettes business and a pickup in rural demand, aided by a favourable monsoon. The numbers also take into account the demerger of its hotel business, which resulted in a one-time gain of Rs 15,179 crore.