Mainfreight first-half profit rises 27%, meeting guidance, as margins widen, Europe picks up

Mainfreight first-half profit rises 27%, meeting guidance, as margins widen, Europe picks up
Jonathan Underhill
By Jonathan Underhill Nov. 9 (BusinessDesk) - Mainfreight, the transport and logistics group, posted a 27 percent gain in first-half profit as margins improved in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Europe, and expects a continuation of stronger trading in the second half. Profit was $41.8 million, or 41.7 cents per share, in the six months ended Sept. 30, from $32.9 million, or 32.87 cents a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Sales climbed to $1.14 billion from $1.11 billion. The first-half results show a turna...