Natura registers 15.2% increase in revenue, but profit falls 6%

SÃO PAULO-Natura grew 15.2 percent in net consolidated revenues from January to March, reaching R $ 1.55 billion (9.1% high in Brazil and 53% increase in international operations).
Net profits fell 6% compared to the first quarter of 2013, to $ 117.2 million "as a result of investments (Capex) carried out in previous years, impacting the cost of depreciation, and the growth of financial results by a higher level of indebtedness, as planned, and by an increase in interest rates," according to the material results.
The profit was below analysts ' projections, which had expected average growth of 11.3%, to $ 139 million.