New Delhi, March 1 -- Indian companies navigated yet more revenue-profit divergence in the December quarter, and India's ranking declined significantly among its emerging-market peers in January. Meanwhile, India and the UK have resumed trade negotiations amid protectionist policies by the US.

India Inc. recorded a slower year-on-year revenue growth of 4.4% in the December quarter, down from 7.3% and 9.1% in the two previous quarters, according to a Mint analysis of 3,577 BSE-listed companies. Meanwhile, net profits grew 12.4%, outpacing about 9% growth in the preceding quarters.

Companies maintained profitability thanks to favourable input costs, with raw material expenses as a share of revenue falling to 37%-the lowest in six quarters...