Maruti Suzuki India reported higher than expected earnings in the third quarter. Its net profit surged 221.92% to Rs 687.53 crore on a 62.50% rise in sales to Rs 7372.65 crore in Q3 December 2009 over Q3 December 2008.

Net profit of Grasim Industries rose 80.81% to Rs 595.88 crore in on a 14.79% rise in sales to Rs 3051.89 crore in Q3 December 2009 over Q3 December 2008.

State Bank of India, Sterlite Industries, Mahindra and Mahindra, Hero Honda Motors, and Hindalco Industries among the key result announcement on Monday, 25 January 2010.

The Khorakiwala family, promoter of the troubled pharma company Wockhardt, has reportedly sold nearly 18 acres of land at Mulund for Rs 200 crore to a city-based developer, Runwal Group, and a real estate fund.

Real estate firm DLF has reportedly sold its 15-acre property in a Bangalore suburb for Rs 120 crore after plunging footfalls and poor margins nixed the company's plans for a large-scale mall in the locality.

The government is reportedly considering an across-the-board increase in excise duty in its annual budget as it faces pressure to withdraw fiscal stimulus measures in the wake of a high fiscal deficit. One option being considered is an increase in Cenvat rate by 2% while leaving the service tax rate unchanged at 10%.

India Cements, Voltas, Jet Airways, Pantaloon Retail, Power Grid Corporation, Andhra Bank, DB Corp, GSPL, LIC Housing Finance, Indiabulls Financial Services, Indiabulls Securities, Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra), Deepak Fertilizers, Wockhardt, GSK Consumer, Godrej Industries, Cadila Healthcare, Shriram EPC, Himatsingka Seide, Lakshmi Machine Works, and Super Spinning Mills, among others will declare their December 2009 ended results on Monday.

Net profit of Punj Lloyd rose 31.52% to Rs 117.49 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 89.33 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales rose 18.20% to Rs 2116.60 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 1790.72 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Net profit of Asian Paints rose 256.60% to Rs 178.69 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 50.11 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales rose 26.83% to Rs 1277.71 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 1007.44 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Net profit of United Breweries Holdings rose 1112.99% to Rs 84.06 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 6.93 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales rose 30.92% to Rs 92.31 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 70.51 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Net profit of Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals rose 5.91% to Rs 79.75 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 75.30 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales declined 7.76% to Rs 1141.67 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 1237.70 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Net profit of Bharat Forge rose 773.33% to Rs 37.99 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 4.35 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales rose 13.61% to Rs 495.85 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 436.44 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Net profit of Vijaya Bank declined 20.65% to Rs 124.57 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 156.99 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Total operating income declined 2.35% to Rs 1344.31 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 1376.73 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Essar Oil reported net loss of Rs 226.00 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against net loss of Rs 1230.00 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales rose 19.45% to Rs 10146.00 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 8494.00 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Ispat Industries reported net profit of Rs 18.87 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against net loss of Rs 651.71 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales rose 91.07% to Rs 2104.70 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 1101.51 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.

Net profit of Garware Offshore Services rose 3.21% to Rs 10.29 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 9.97 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008. Sales declined 4.66% to Rs 43.40 crore in the quarter ended December 2009 as against Rs 45.52 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2008.