India’s biggest cigarette maker ITC Ltd posted a nearly 6 per cent rise in quarterly profit on Friday. (File Photo)

India’s biggest cigarette maker ITC Ltd posted a nearly 6 per cent rise in quarterly profit on Friday, helped by lower costs.

Profit rose to Rs 26.40 billion ($406.03 million) in the second quarter ended September 30, from Rs 25 billion a year earlier, the company said. 

Analysts on average had expected a profit of Rs 26.44 billion, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon data.

The company, which also makes Sunfeast biscuits and Classmate stationery, said its expenses for the quarter fell about 39 per cent to Rs 63.14 billion.