Hero Honda net up 49 pct

Net sales rose to 40.92 billion rupees from 34.12 billion year-ago.

A poll of brokerages had forecast net profit at 5.55 billion rupees on net sales of 40.9 billion rupees.

The company sold nearly 1.2 million motorcycles and scooters in the quarter,up about 19 percent from a year ago.

Shares in Hero Honda,valued at $8.6 billion,rose 13.2 percent in the March quarter,compared to a 0.4 percent rise in the main index and 3.2 percent rise in the sector index. ($1=44.7 rupees)