Kathmandu: Salt Trading Corporation has reported a decline in profit despite an increase in revenue.

According to the company’s fourth-quarter financial report for the last fiscal year, the net profit stood at NPR 63.2 million. In the previous fiscal year 2079/80, the profit was NPR 78.8 million.

The company’s sales revenue increased by 52%, rising from NPR 8.78 billion in the previous fiscal year to NPR 13.35 billion in the last fiscal year.

The decline in profit despite the increase in revenue is primarily attributed to rising expenses. The company’s profit was impacted by higher sales costs, increased employee bonuses, and rising interest expenses. Sales costs rose from NPR 7.82 billion in the previous fiscal year to NPR 12.26 billion last year. Additionally, NPR 8.4 million was allocated for employee bonuses last year, which had not been allocated in the previous fiscal year. Interest expenses also increased from NPR 445 million in the previous year to NPR 580 million last year. This increase in interest expenses occurred despite a general decrease in interest rates across the banking sector.

The company’s earnings per share (EPS) currently stand at NPR 19.71, down from NPR 28.26 in the previous fiscal year. As of Thursday’s market close, the company’s share price was NPR 6,899 per share.