NPT lifts first-half earnings 6.1%

NPT lifts first-half earnings 6.1% as retail rental income climbs

By Paul McBeth

Nov. 24 (BusinessDesk) - NPT, the listed property investor, increased first-half earnings 6.1 percent as rental income from its retail buildings dragged up revenue, while a lift in the value of its overall property portfolio almost doubled profit.

Operating profit before gains and losses, typically the preferred measure for property investors as it removes changes in the value of their portfolios, rose to $3.3 million in the six months ended Sept. 30 from $3.1 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Gross rental income rose 3.8 percent to $8.2 million, led by a 5.8 percent gain in income from its retail properties to $4.4 million. Revenue from its industrial and commercial buildings was flat at about $2 million and $2.1 million respectively.

Net profit advanced to $5.1 million, or 3.13 cents per share, from $2.6 million, or 1.59 cents, a year earlier, largely due to a $2.7 million increase in the value of its investment properties. That portfolio was valued at $163.4 million as at Sept. 30.

The board declared a quarterly dividend of 0.875 cents per share, payable on Jan. 8 to shareholders on the register at the close of trading on Dec. 18.

The shares were unchanged at 63 cents, having increased 1.6 percent so far this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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