News: DuluxGroup boosts H1 profit, forecasts grow

.

DuluxGroup Limited (ASX:DLX) has improved its first half net profit by 33.6 per cent to $56.1 million and forecast profit growth ahead for the full year.  

The paint maker has attributed the result to strong growth in Australian and New Zealand markets, a full six month contribution of earnings from Alesco and cost management.  

The result comes after the company booked a 14 per cent decline in its full year profit in November 2013 partly due to the impact of acquiring Alesco. 

Managing Director Patrick Houlihan says despite mixed market conditions over the last few years the company is well placed now that its core markets have largely returned to growth.

A fully franked interim dividend of 10 cents per share has been declared, up 25 per cent from the year before.