The share price has recovered in today's trading and is currently at $25.25, up a $1.05 from yesterday.
Wesfarmers said net profit in the six months to December 2002 was $224.9 million, an increase of 25% over the previous period. The result was achieved on operating revenue of $3.7 billion, a 3% increase on last year's figure of $3.6 billion.
Earnings per share of 71.4 cents (before goodwill amortisation) for the half year were 12% above the 63.5c in the corresponding six months last year.
Due to growth in both coal and gas earnings, the group's energy business earned $123.6 million on sales of $476 million. The profit was a 16% increase on the corresponding last year.
Wesfarmers said mainly due to weak autogas demand, domestic LP gas sales volumes and revenue were marginally below the same period last year while LPG exports were below budget due to delayed export shipments budgeted for late December and a number of scheduled plant shutdowns.
