eps:282 , six month profit 37%, income up 15%, page-2

Pleasing forward looking comment from CFO....

2334 GMT �[Dow Jones] Macquarie's (MQG.AU) annual profit of US$956 million
beats its own forecast of A$947 million and A$953 million, A$944 million and A$937
million UBS, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse calls, providing scope for its shares to
rise. Chief Financial Officer Greg Ward tells wire reporters that Australia's
biggest investment bank is certainly hoping for a pick up in equity market and merger and
acquisitions activity this year. "The pipeline is definitely better than it was this
time last year," Wards says. The executive, however, says it's still too early
to call any bottom to current subdued market conditions. Turnover in equities markets is
improving but still well down on historic levels, he says. "You would say risk
appetite is also probably improving," Wards adds. Macquarie last at A$34.90. The
final dividend of A$1 should please investors given expectations of a payout in the
mid-80 cents.