FIRST CUT: Meridian Energy annual earnings up 5%; pays special dividend

FIRST CUT: Meridian Energy annual earnings up 5%; pays special dividend
Pattrick Smellie
By Pattrick Smellie Aug. 24 (BusinessDesk) - Meridian Energy has followed its fellow part-privatised counterpart, Mercury NZ, by declaring a special dividend for shareholders in a sector where strong cashflows are not currently required for new investment. Meridian declared a 5 percent increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, and changes in the value of financial instruments at $560 million for the year to June 30, reflecting a $39 million increase in New Zealand electricity sales to $939 million, and a lift...