News: JBH UPDATE 1-Australia's JB Hi-Fi half-year profit soars as online sales boom

(Adds context, CEO comments)

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Australia's JB Hi-Fi Ltd (JBH) posted an 86% rise in half-year profit, driven by a sharp uptick in online sales as consumers flocked towards electronics and household goods amid COVID-19 lockdowns.

The electronics retailer did not provide sales or earnings forecasts for fiscal 2021 but said it had seen strong sales momentum across all brands in January.

"In what is an uncertain environment we continue to adapt and respond and, with a number of opportunities ahead of us, we remain excited by the outlook for the business," said Richard Murray, chief executive of JB Hi-Fi.

Electronics and household goods retailers have benefited as the coronavirus pandemic forced people to work from home, while massive stimulus measures and strong household savings have kept retail sales afloat, with few other avenues open for spending.

The retailer said on Monday that net profit after tax grew to A$317.7 million ($246.6 million) for the half-year ending Dec. 31, in line with previously issued guidance, while online sales more than doubled to A$678.8 million.

The Melbourne-based firm declared an interim dividend of A$1.80 per share.

($1 = 1.2883 Australian dollars)