ITC Ltd Friday reported a 15.3 percent increase in post-tax profit at Rs.18 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31.

The pre-tax profit also increased by 15.3 percent at Rs.26 billion while profit after tax stood at Rs.21 billion, according to a company release here.

The ITC board of directors recommended a dividend of Rs.31 per share as against the previous year's Rs.20 per share.

The gross turnover grew by 13 percent to Rs.133 billion, driven by good growth across all businesses of the company.

Cigarette sales grew by 8.4 percent over the previous year, the release said.

The non-cigarette businesses grew by 29.5 percent on a strong performance by the hotel business, the amalgamation of ITC Hotels and Ansal Hotel with the firm besides the ramp-up of the new FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) business.