csr interim net profit 109.2m down 4.7pc Sydney - Wednesday -...

csr interim net profit 109.2m down 4.7pc Sydney - Wednesday - November 8: (RWE Aust Business News) - CSR
Ltd (ASX:CSR) reported a net profit of $109.2 million for the half year
to September 30 2006, down 4.7 per cent on the prior corresponding half.
Revenue was up 16.7pc to $1.6 billion.
An interim dividend of 6c, fully franked, will be paid with
record date November 20.
CSR said higher world sugar and aluminium prices offset the
impact of weak residential construction in east coast markets.
Earnings per share was 12.4c against 12.6c previously.

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Outlook
"Overall, our current view is that CSR's earnings before interest
and tax for the year ended March will be marginally behind last year,"
chief executive Alec Brennan said.
"However, given the amount of sugar that remains unpriced and the
volatility we have seen in the sugar price this year, there is still some
uncertainty around this outcome."
Raw sugar production is expected to be around 6pc lower than last
year.
Building products earnings are expected to fall short of the
prior year.
Aluminium earnings are forecast to be around 15pc lower and
property around 10pc lower over the year.

*****
Result
"We achieved a steady result as better world sugar prices helped
to offset weak building markets and wet weather disruptions to sugar
milling in North Queensland," Mr Brennan said.
He said the company was looking for growth opportunities in sugar
with the improved outlook for world prices.
"Fuel ethanol as a renewable fuel is now gaining rapid
acceptance," he said.
"We have just completed a major fuel ethanol expansion in North
Queensland and are actively exploring further capaicty expansion options
on the east coast to build on our current strong position in this
market."
Sugar recorded EBIT of $71.6m against $43.6m in the prior
corresponding half.
Building products EBIT was $45.5m against $60.6m, aluminium
$67.6m against $65m and property $9.7m against $30.9m.
CSR shares last traded at $3.49.