Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 118.12 points, or 0.68%, to 17,476.06.

On BSE, 2.77 lakh shares were traded in the counter as against an average daily volume of 7.58 lakh shares in the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs 248.15 so far during the day, which is also a record high for the counter. The stock hit a low of Rs 241.60 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 177.80 on 6 May 2011.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month until 17 April 2012, gaining 13.91% compared with the Sensex's 0.62% fall. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 18.17% as against 5.42% rise in the Sensex.

India's largest cigarette maker by sales has an equity capital of Rs 781.84 crore. Face value per share is Re 1.

ITC's net profit rose 22.45% to Rs 1700.98 crore on 14.2% increase in net sales to Rs 6195.43 crore in Q3 December 2011 over Q3 December 2010.

ITC is India's largest cigarette maker by sales. It has a diversified presence in cigarettes, hotels, paperboards & specialty papers, packaging, agri-business, packaged foods & confectionery, information technology, branded apparel, personal care, stationery, safety matches and other FMCG products. While ITC is a market leader in its traditional businesses of cigarettes, hotels, paperboards, packaging and agri-exports, it is rapidly gaining market share even in its nascent businesses of packaged foods & confectionery, branded apparel, personal care and stationery.