Bunnings ANZ first-half earnings rise 12% on increased sales, wider margins

Bunnings ANZ first-half earnings rise 12% on increased sales, wider margins
Rebecca Howard
By Rebecca Howard Feb. 21 (BusinessDesk) - Wesfarmers' Australian and New Zealand Bunnings business lifted earnings 12 percent off the back of higher sales and wider margins in a bright spot that saw the ASX-listed conglomerate's first-half profit plunge 87 percent.  The Perth-based company's Bunnings Australia and New Zealand division increased earnings before interest and tax to A$864 million in the six months ended Dec. 31 from A$770 million a year earlier, on a 10 percent gain in sales to A$6.57 billion. Wesfarmers doesn't break out t...