Sydney - Tuesday - August 15: (RWE Australian Business News) -...

Sydney - Tuesday - August 15: (RWE Australian Business News) -
Oakton Ltd (ASX code: OKN) lifted net profit 57.1 per cent to $14.44
million in the year to June 30 from $9.19 million for the previous year.
Revenues for the business applications IT services provider rose
42.4 per cent to $77.08 million from $54.14 million.
Basic earnings per share were 17.6c, up from 11.4c.
Final dividend has been increased from 5.5c to 9.25c, fully
franked, payable on September 29 to shareholders registered September 1.
Total payout for the year is 16.75c, up 67.5 per cent.
Directors said revenue and net profit were records and achieved
by organic growth, with no acquisitions made during the year.
They said Oakton would continue to pursue acquisition
opportunities and during the 2007 year would establish an offshore
development centre in India to "enable increased access to skilled
resources at a price point competitive with global providers".

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Managing director and CEO Mr Neil Wilson said: "Oakton has
continued to focus on the execution of its business strategy, which is
principally centred on gaining more market share with the best service
offer in the business applications space.
"Sydney growth continued to be very positive with a 75% increase
on last year and an increased contribution of 39% to the total EBITDA
result, up from 32% in FY2005.
"Brisbane has also commenced well with a number of local staff
on the ground and a solid pipeline of engagements and opportunities.
"We believe the positive market conditions will continue and as
our customer base, depth of services and service-to-customer ratio
continue to grow, we expect to acquire more market share and to
consolidate our position as a leading Australian specialist IT services
provider."