Mumbai, July 31: Consumer goods company Hindustan Lever Ltd said on Thursday that its quarterly profit rose 12.47 per cent on improved sales of profitable home and personal care products, beating market expectations. The Indian unit of Anglo-Dutch Unilever Plc and maker of household brands like Lux and Lifebuoy soaps, Fair & Lovely skin lightening cream and Surf and Wheel detergents, said net profit was Rs 451 crore for its second quarter ended June 30.
That compared with a reported net profit before extraordinary income of Rs 401crore a year earlier.

Hindustan Lever's shares jumped 21 per cent in April-June on expectations a good monsoon would spur demand, outpacing the 18 per cent rise in the key Bombay Stock Exchange index. Bureau Report