Mumbai, Sept. 8: Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Ltd today declared a bonus issue in the ratio of one equity share for every two held.

The board of directors has also recommended an equity dividend of Rs 20 per equity share for 2002-03.

However, the company posted a net loss of Rs 1.78 crore in the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2003, compared with a net profit of Rs 14.72 crore in the corresponding quarter in the previous year. Its total income increased from Rs 93 crore to Rs 99.15 crore in the fourth quarter.

In 2002-03, the company posted a net profit of Rs 68.04 crore compared with Rs 77.02 crore in the previous year. Its total income in 2002-03 increased from Rs 430.38 crore to Rs 453.04 crore.

Chairman Bharat Patel said, “A combination of marketing investment and distribution thrust in the past year is driving sales growth to a higher level in recent months.”

In a notice to stock exchanges, P&G said marketing investment in the fourth quarter was expected to accelerate the sales of its Vicks and Whisper brands in the forthcoming year.