News: CSR UPDATE 1-Australia's CSR books 14 pct drop in FY profit

(Adds other performance metrics)

May 8 (Reuters) - Australian building materials supplier CSR Ltd (CSR) on Wednesday posted a 14 percent decline in annual net profit, hurt by lower earnings from its aluminium business.

Net profit excluding significant items from continuing operations for the full-year ended March 31 came in at A$181.7 million ($127.4 million), compared with A$210.6 million a year ago.

The New South Wales-based firm's aluminium arm, which relates to its 70 percent interest in Gove Aluminium Finance Ltd, saw costs rise due to higher electricity prices.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation excluding significant items for its aluminium business fell to A$48.3 million from A$97.1 million a year ago.

CSR declared a final dividend of 13 Australian cents per share, down from last year's 13.5 cents a share.

($1 = 1.4261 Australian dollars)