Software major Infosys Technologies on Tuesday announced a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,659 crore (Rs 46.59 billion) for the year ended March 31, a 20.82 per cent growth over the corresponding period a year ago.

Infosys had a consolidated net profit of Rs 3,856 crore (Rs 38.56 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2007, the second-largest exporter of software services said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The consolidated total income rose to Rs 17,396 crore (Rs 173.96 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2008 from Rs 14,265 crore (Rs 142.65 billion) in the year-ago period.

The company declared a final dividend of Rs 7.25 on shares of Rs 5 each (145 per cent) and a special dividend of Rs 20 per share (400 per cent on an equity share of face value of Rs 5).

Besides, Infosys has decided to increase the dividend pay-out ratio to up to 30 per cent of net profits effective from fiscal 2009, the company added.

For the quarter ended March 31, the group reported a net profit of Rs 1,249 crore (Rs 12.49 billion) as compared to Rs 1,144 crore (Rs 11.44 billion) for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

Total income increased to Rs 4,681 crore (Rs 46.81 billion) for the quarter ended March 31, this year from Rs 3,891 crore (Rs 38.91 billion) for the corresponding quarter a year ago.

Shares of the company were trading at Rs 1,440, up 1.23 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange in early morning trade.