AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd (ASX:AXA) has reported a 19% fall in first-half net profit after tax to $219 million for the six months to June 30.
The wealth manager has posted that operating earnings increased 6% to $270 million and, profit after tax and before investment experience and non-recurring items, was up 8% to $286 million for the first half of the year.
An interim dividend of 9.25 cents per security, 10% franked, has been declared.
AXA APH also says it has not been distracted by the proposed transaction to sell the Australian and New Zealand businesses of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings to National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB).
NAB is currently hoping to gain approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to buy AXA APH, allowing it to sell the company's Asian assets to the company's French parents, AXA SA.
AXA Asia Pacific Holdings reported a profit of $679 million for the year to 30 December 2009.
AXA Price at posting:
$5.26 Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
