Mining a boost for Seven

The Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven Group reported statutory net profit for the six months to December 31 of $52.14 million, down 57.8 per cent from the previous corresponding period.

The result was affected by write-downs on Seven's media assets. But on an underlying basis, which excluded write-downs, total group first-half net profit rose 33 per cent to $169.3 million.

Also, the company was keen to stress that comparisons with the previous year were difficult given the changes in company structure over the past year.

Seven West Media was formed after a $4 billion takeover of Seven Media Group by West Australian Newspapers Holdings in February last year, which created the country's largest media company.

Mr Gammell said the write-downs were due to Seven West Media's share-price deterioration towards the end of calendar 2011. But he said the recent share-price recovery, if not reversed, would see the majority of the impairment charge likely to be reversed in the second half.

The underlying result was above market expectations and led to Seven Group shares closing up 33?, or 3.8 per cent, at $8.99, the highest close since August.

Mr Gammell said underlying net profit, before significant items, for the full 2011-12 year was forecast to be 20 to 30 per cent higher than the previous year.

"WesTrac has continued to trade strongly, particularly in Australia," Mr Gammell said during the company's first-half results presentation. "At present, we continue to be confident that the year should be another good year for growth, both in Australia and China, although the growth for China will be less strong than in previous years."

Demand for resources led to Seven Group's WesTrac posting a 67 per cent lift in earnings before interest and tax, driven by coal and iron ore mining. WesTrac is the Caterpillar dealership in Western Australia, New South Wales/ACT and parts of China. It also owns National Hire and Allight Sykes and is a 46 per cent shareholder of Coates Hire.

Seven Group declared a fully franked interim dividend of 18? a share. AAP