Colgate-Palmolive (India) has said that its net profit has fallen 4 per cent to Rs. 111 crore during the third quarter of the current financial year mainly due to advertisement expenses.

It is the first time in five straight quarters that the company had recorded a fall in net profit. The company's revenues grew 13.9 per cent to Rs. 763 crore during the third quarter from October to December, 2012. Markets analysts had predicted revenues of Rs. 136 crore and operational income of Rs. 794 crore for the company in the quarter.

Colgate-Palmolive said that its total expenditure increased 17 per cent to Rs 645 crore during the third quarter and its advertising expenses increased 45 per cent to Rs. 100 crore during the quarter compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

During the first nine months of the financial year till December, the company's recorded an increase of 9 per cent in volume compared to the same period of the previous year. Its standalone sales turnover was recorded at Rs. 689.78 crore, net profit was Rs 115.58 crore, and other income Rs 9.74 crore.

The shares of the company opened at Rs. 1,360 and hit a low of Rs 1,334 on National Stock Exchange (NSE). The shares were trading at Rs. 1,339 during this afternoon on the stock exchange.