News: DLX DuluxGroup posts HY net profit of $63.7 million

May 17 (Reuters) - DuluxGroup Ltd (DLX) :

• Half year report 2016 - appendix 4d
• HY consolidated revenue from operations of $851.1 million versus $836.9 million
• HY net profit of $63.7 million versus $49.5 million
• Says interim dividend of 11.5 cents per share, fully franked, an increase of 4.5%
• Outlook for input costs is similar to what was seen in the first half
• Targeting EBIT growth in New Zealand in the second half to achieve a broadly flat result for the FY 2016 year
• Second half margin will be positively impacted by expected EBIT recovery in New Zealand
• Expect that 2016 net profit after tax will be higher than the 2015 equivalent of $124.7 million
• Expect to maintain about 70% dividend payout ratio on npat before non-recurring items
• "China growth rates relatively weak & png market outlook is poor"