Core growth slows

New Delhi, Oct. 28: The growth of six infrastructure industries slowed to 2.5 per cent in September, pulled down by contraction in output of coal and petroleum refinery. The six core sectors — crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel — had expanded 4.3 per cent in September 2009. Petroleum refinery output and coal production contracted 10.2 per cent and 2 per cent compared with a growth of 3.4 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively during the same month last year.

Inflation dips

New Delhi, Oct. 28: Food inflation fell sharply to 13.75 per cent — down 1.78 percentage points — for the week ended October 16, on improved supplies but economists said the Reserve Bank of India would still raise short-term rates. The annual food inflation was 15.53 per cent in the previous week and 12.15 per cent in the year-ago period.

Srei profit

Calcutta, Oct. 28: Srei Infrastructure Finance Company has reported a 194 per cent year-on-year growth in its consolidated net profit to Rs 78.15 crore, while the company’s net profit on a standalone basis grew 189 per cent to Rs 50.81 crore during the quarter.