CAL Research said in the December quarter aggregate profits rose 5.9 percent.
With 265 companies reporting, aggregate revenues had grown 7 percent to 473 billion rupees in the March 2014 quarter amid weak consumer spending, the report said.
CAL Research said aggregate earnings of the bank, finance and insurance sector grew 8 percent in the March 2014 quarter, compared to a 12 percent fall in profits last year.
Diversified holdings showed a profit gain of 5 percent to 13.7 billion rupees.
Profits of hotel and travels were up 18 percent to 4.5 billion rupees, amid a recovery in tourist arrivals.
Beverage food and tobacco was down 16 percent, chemicals and pharmaceuticals were down 163 percent largely on account of a net loss at CIC Holdings, footwear and textiles down 73 percent.
Though inflation was low in the past 12 months, the currency depreciated sharply in 2012 from 110 to 130 rupees to the US dollars. Credit growth has also been weak.
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/news/sri-lanka-listed-company-profits-slightly-down-in-march-quarter/1068888458