Aditya Birla group flagship Grasim Industries on Tuesday reported 154 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 411.58 crore for the third quarter this fiscal as compared to Rs 161.87 crore for the same quarter of 2005-06.

Total income of the diversified company increased 38.70 per cent to Rs 2,323.78 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 from Rs 1,675.33 crore for the corresponding quarter a year ago, Grasim informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The group posted a net profit (after minority's share) of Rs 555.39 crore for the third quarter as compared to Rs 195.34 crore for the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

Total income of the group increased to Rs 3,752.83 crore for the third quarter this fiscal from Rs 2,550.04 crore for the corresponding quarter a year ago. Shares of the company were trading at Rs 2810.60, down 2.91 per cent on the BSE.

Grasim said it is focusing on expanding capacities and taking steps toward cost optimisation and effective financial management to raise performance levels.