Briscoe lifts first-half profit by 33%, hikes interim dividend as margins expand

Briscoe lifts first-half profit by 33%, hikes interim dividend as margins expand
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Sept. 19 (BusinessDesk) - Briscoe Group, which operates stores selling household items and sporting goods, lifted first-half profit by 33 percent and hiked its interim dividend after widening gross margins with more rigorous inventory management and boosting sales.  Net profit rose to $27.3 million, or 12.21 cents per share, in the 26 weeks ended July 31, from $20.5 million, or 9.21 cents, a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Sales gained 10 percent to $268.4 million, outpacing an 8.3 percent lift...