Delegat’s sees 10 percent lift in 2014 profit, warns strong currency may hit bottom line

Delegat’s sees 10 percent lift in 2014 profit, warns strong currency may hit bottom line
By Paul McBeth Dec. 5 (BusinessDesk) - Delegat’s Group, the winemaker which this year bought Australia’s Barossa Valley Estate brand, expects operating profit to rise by about 10 percent in 2014, though it warns a high kiwi dollar may hurt earnings. Net operating earnings are expected to rise to $29 million in the 12 months ending June 30, 2014, from $26.3 million a year earlier, managing director Jim Delegat told shareholders at today’s annual meeting in Auckland. Still, the kiwi dollar, which recently traded at 82.05 US cents, has been...